Before you can go fishing, you must first learn how to tie fishing knots. Without the proper hook and line, the big catch won’t happen and you won’t be able to grill that salmon steak. While there is no shortage of different knots to choose from, mastering the improved clinch knot is a great place to start.
Lingo To Know for Fishing Knots
Before breaking out the how-to for knots, there are a few terms you should know:
- Tag end: Also known as the “working end,” this is the end of the line used to tie the fishing knot.
- Standing line or end: This is part of the line coming straight out of the reel.
- Leader line: Part of the line attached to the hook’s eye on one end.
How to Tie an Improved Clinch Knot
The main use of this knot is for tightly tying your line to a hook, swivel, or lure. This is a different method from the original clinch knot, but has proven to be such an improvement that most people just call it the clinch knot now.
Directions:
- Thread your fishing line through the hook’s eye.
- With the tag end, make five to seven wraps around your line.
- Thread the tag end of the line through the loop closest to the hook’s eye, then thread back around inside the loose section of the line
- Moisten and pull both ends to tighten your knot.
- Trim the loose ends of the line.
Tips To Know Beyond Tying a Clinch Knot
If you’re hungry for more knot knowledge, make sure to check out our 16 Basic Knots Every Man Should Know. And as always, check back with Rugged Standard for more weekly content.