The Best Fishing Knots for Hooks and Swivels

A chain is as strong as its weakest link the saying goes, and this is very true when angling. No matter how good our lines are, if there is an incorrect or badly tied knot, this can lose you fish and cause great disappointment and frustration.
Here we lay out the best knots you need for each type of fishing and how to tie them. Remember to practice knots until you can tie them perfectly every time.

Five Top Knot Tips

Always moisten your knots before tightening and tighten slowly and firmly.

High-tech lines do not respond very well to some knots. Always check, and if you are not happy with your knot, change it. The 'Power' Knot is particularly good for high-tech knots.

Knots must look right. A bad looking knot usually is a bad knot. Cut it off and start again.

Don't learn too many knots. The Double Overhand Loop, Xtreme Knot, Bloodknot and the Half Bloodknot will cover most of your needs

Never bite knots after tying. Use a pair of small, sharp scissors, or clippers, to trim them.

---

Power Knot

The Power Knot has been developed at Ultima to give ultimate performance with Ultima Power lines or indeed any other hi-tech line.Simple to tie, it delivers 100% knot strength for absolute reliability. Make exactly eight turns up the line and three turns back.

Half Bloodknot

As its name suggests, this knot is simply half a bloodknot. It is used to attach line items such as hooks and swivels, and is reliable and easy to tie. The knot shown here has been tucked, meaning that the free end is passed through the loop which is formed between its coils and the hook or swivel.

Step 1: pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook or swivel, or through the loop of the line to which it is to be joined

Step 2: Twist the end round the standing part four or five times.

Step 3: Pass the free end through the loop by the eye (if tightened, this is the normal half bloodknot).

Step 4: Pass the free end through the larger loop now formed to produce the tucked half bloodknot.

Domhof or Whipping Knot

Basic knot for attaching spade end hooks to line. make up to 15 turns round the end of the shank and make sure the line comes away from the front of the spade.

Grinner Knot

An extremely reliable knot for attaching

eyedhooks, swivels etc.

Palomar Knot

A simple and effective way of attaching eyed hooks, swivels etc

Double Turl

A very secure way of attaching a fly to a cast, giving excellent fly presentation.