Knots for Attaching Terminal Tackle

Improved clinch knot.
This common knot is used for attaching line to terminal tackle, particularly with monofilament lines. Well tied, it has excellent knot strength – exceeding 90 percent. Wet the line before you pull it tight to keep the heat from weakening the knot and it makes the loops lay in even

Palomar Knot – The Palomar knot is both simple to tie and has outstanding knot strength, approaching 100 percent of the line strength. It works well for monofilament, co-polymer and braided lines. The knot lies compactly, belying its strength.

Knots for Connecting Lines of Nearly Equal Diameter

Every angler encounters the need to connect one line to another. For those that are nearly equal in diameter, one of the best connections is the blood knot.

Blood Knot/Barrel Knot – For lines of nearly equal diameter, this knot is compact and retains nearly 100 percent line strength. It is suitable for lines that differ no more than about 0.003-0.005 in diameter, particularly with light lines. Attempting to connect lines of much greater difference in diameter can result in knots that slip or weak knots that do not carry the line strength of either line. This knot is a simple one to tie.

Many anglers have occasion to use a heavy monofilament shock tippet of 40 to80 pounds, connecting it to their normal line or leader. A double nail knot might work with lines that are nearly the same stiffness; but for most real
shock tippets, a different approach is essential.

Albright Special Knot – One of the best shock tippet knots for lines very different in diameter is the Albright Special. While it is useful with spinning lines and monofilament shock leaders, it is most often used in fly fishing. It is a simple knot to tie, depending upon the greater stiffness of the heavy shock tippet to form a locked loop.

Improved Blood Knot – The improved blood knot is almost exactly the same as the blood knot. The exception is that the lighter line is doubled before beginning to tie the knot. This results in a knot that will tighten adequately. Although this knot will permit considerable difference in the line diameters, it will not cover differences on the order of the Albright Special.

Fly fishermen encounter the need for a variety of knots, including those above. Others may be used in setting up a cast, attaching a leader, attaching backing to a fly line, or simply repairing a tippet.

Nail Knot – This knot was explored earlier as the double nail knot. Its primary use is in attaching a leader but to a fly line or attaching backing to the tail of a fly line. The nail knot can be turned into a needle knot by simply inserting the tag end of the leader or backing material through the center of the fly line before tying the knot. This approach has the advantage of being a bit smoother in passing through the guides.

Perfection Loop– Loops are used in many ways by anglers - connecting two lines, connecting a snell to a leader or line, or connecting a dropper to a dropper loop.

Surgeon's Loop– The surgeon’s loop is essentially the same as a surgeon’s knot tied in a doubled, intact line. It is a strong loop knot that tends to lie a bit closer.

Dropper Loop – The dropper loop is essentially a barrel knot tied in an intact line. It is used to attach looped dropper leaders to the main leader in building a multiple fly cast, commonly used by wet fly anglers. It can also be used in building bait rigs, combination lure rigs, or attaching other types of terminal tackle.

This popular knot is used by specimen anglers for when tying hooklinks with hairs.