Knot Basics – A Fisherman's Best Friends

Imagine fishing knots as the secret handshakes of the fishing world. Before we dive into the good stuff, let's cover the basics:

Why are knots important in fishing?

Knots are like the glue that holds your fishing gear together. They make sure your hooks, lures, and other tackles stay connected, so you do not lose the big one when it bites. Fishing knots are often regarded as the weakest point on the line where the line is likely to break first.

Without good knots, your fishing adventure can quickly turn from an entertaining one into a saddening one, potentially resulting in your lunch meal slipping away.

What makes a knot "the one"?

In our view, a knot becomes "the one" when it's strong and reliable. For some, they also factor in the easiness of tying the knot. However, we consider such a factor to play an insignificant role, especially when considering the potential associated risks.

A good fishing knot is like having a trustworthy friend on your fishing trip. You want a knot that will not let you down, even when you hook a giant!

Picking the right knot for the job is like choosing the right tool for the task.

Imagine you have a toolbox, and each knot is like a different tool. You wouldn't use a hammer to screw in a nail, right? In the same way, you need to pick the right knot for the purpose you wish to achieve. The two knots addressed in this blog have a completely different scope and, hence, are not alternatives that can be switched in between.

Meet Your Knot Stars

The Palomar Knot:

The Palomar knot is the life of the fishing party! It is simple and strong, perfect for connecting a fluorocarbon fishing line to hooks, lures, snap-locks, and swivels. The main distinguishing feature of this knot is that it secures the tied item with a double line rather than a single line, therefore doubling the strength of the knot.

The FG Knot:

The FG knot is the holy fishing knot for tying a braided line to a fluorocarbon line. Loved by professionals, the FG knot is an extremely reliable knot that is not likely to fail before the connected lines themselves break. The term “FG Knot” stands for “Fine Grip Knot” because of how strong the braided line digs into the fluorocarbon line to “grip” it. The GF knot is also the best knot for a casting setup, as the knot does not get stuck in the rings of the fishing rod.

The main disadvantage of the FG knot is that it can take a lot of practice to master, and takes a considerably longer time to tie compared to other relevant knots.

Let's Dance – Tying the Palomar Knot

• Double your fishing line to create a loop.
• Swing the loop through the eye of your hook, lure, swivel, or snap-lock.
• Tie a simple knot with the loop, going through the eye of the hook.
• Push the tied item through the loop referred to above.
• Lick the knot or use water to avoid damaging the line from the friction’s heat.
• Pull both ends tight and trim the extra line.

YouTube video on tying the Palomar Knot.

Let's Dance – Tying the FG Knot

• Overlap the end of your leader and your braided line.
• Start wrapping the braided line around the leader. Make around 20 tight wraps – the more, the merrier!
• Tie a few half-hitch knots using the braided line’s free end, a few times on both the leader and braided line and then a few times on the braider line only.
• Lick the knot or use water to avoid damaging the line from the friction’s heat.
• Pull the leader and the main braided line hard enough for the braided line to dig into the leader line (you will notice the knot becoming darker in color and feeling harder to the touch).
• Trim the extras.

YouTube video on tying the FG Knot.

Time to Celebrate

In conclusion, the Palomar Knot and the FG Knot are like the “Batman and Robin” of fishing knots. They each have their unique features, and knowing them will make your fishing adventures super exciting. So go out, practice these knots, and let the fishing fun begin!