BigJoe’s Fishing Knot Cards

Best for: Mono or fluorocarbon to hooks, lures and swivels. The classic everyday knot.

1. 1

   Thread the line through the hook eye and pull about 6 in (15 cm) through.

2. 2

   Wrap the tag end around the main line 5 to 7 times, working away from the hook.

3. 3

   Bring the tag back toward the hook and push it up through the small loop right next to the eye.

4. 4

   Now tuck the tag back down through the big loop you just made. This extra tuck is the “improved” part.

5. 5

   Wet the knot, hold the hook and pull the main line so the wraps slide down snug against the eye. Trim the tag, leaving about 1/8 in (3 mm).

Best for: Braid or mono to hooks and lures. Very strong and easy to tie.

1. 1

   Double about 6 in (15 cm) of line to make a loop, then push the loop through the hook eye.

2. 2

   Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line, with the hook hanging from the bottom of the knot.

3. 3

   Pass the loop end down and over the entire hook.

4. 4

   Wet the knot and pull the main line and tag together so the knot snugs down on the eye. Trim the tag.

Best for: One knot that does it all: hooks, lures and swivels with any line.

1. 1

   Run the line through the hook eye. Bring the tag back alongside the main line, then lay it back toward the hook to form a loop.

2. 2

   Wrap the tag around both lines and through the loop 5 or 6 times, working away from the hook.

3. 3

   Wet the knot and pull the tag end to snug the wraps into a tight barrel.

4. 4

   Pull the main line to slide the knot down tight against the eye. Trim the tag.

Best for: A very strong hook knot for mono and fluoro. Popular for tuna and offshore fishing.

1. 1

   Pass the line through the hook eye, pull 8 to 10 in (20 to 25 cm) through and lay the tag alongside the main line.

2. 2

   Wrap the tag around both lines 7 or 8 times, working back toward the hook.

3. 3

   Push the tag up through the small loop right next to the hook eye.

4. 4

   Then bring it back down through the loop the tag just formed between the wraps and the eye.

5. 5

   Wet the knot and pull the main line to tighten. Trim the tag.

Best for: Hooks for live and cut bait, especially circle hooks. The line pulls straight along the shank.

1. 1

   Push about 12 in (30 cm) of line through the front of the hook eye and lay the tag along the shank toward the bend.

2. 2

   Bring the line back toward the eye to make a big loop under the hook. Pinch the line against the shank.

3. 3

   Wrap the loop side around the shank and the line 7 times, working from the eye toward the bend.

4. 4

   Hold the wraps and pull the main line until the loop disappears into the wraps. Trim the tag. The line should leave the eye on the inside of the hook.

Best for: Joining braid to a mono or fluoro leader, or two similar lines.

1. 1

   Overlap the ends of the two lines by about 8 in (20 cm).

2. 2

   With the main line's tag, make a loop over both lines and wrap it 4 to 6 times around both lines, through the loop.

3. 3

   Do the same with the leader's tag, wrapping toward the other knot. Snug each knot by pulling its tag.

4. 4

   Wet everything and pull the two main lines apart so the knots slide together and lock. Trim both tags.

Best for: Joining a thin main line to a much heavier leader.

1. 1

   Double back about 3 in (8 cm) of the heavier leader to make a narrow loop.

2. 2

   Pass the main line into the loop from the bend side and pull through about 10 in (25 cm).

3. 3

   Wrap the main line's tag back over itself and both leader strands 10 to 12 times, working toward the bend.

4. 4

   Push the tag back out of the loop on the bend side, the same way the line went in.

5. 5

   Wet it and pull the main line and the leader slowly, letting the wraps slide down to the bend. Trim both tags.

Best for: Braid to fluorocarbon or mono leader. The slimmest, strongest braid-to-leader knot; it slides through the guides.

1. 1

   Hold the leader tight. Lay the braid across it, with the braid tag hanging down.

2. 2

   Wrap the braid tag around the leader: cross over the top, then under. Keep the leader tight the whole time.

3. 3

   Keep weaving until you have 15 to 20 wraps, about 3/4 in (2 cm) long. Use fewer wraps for heavy line.

4. 4

   Lock the wraps with 6 to 8 half hitches of the braid tag around the leader and braid. Pull the braid and leader hard in opposite directions.

5. 5

   Trim the leader tag close. Finish with 3 or 4 half hitches of the braid around the braid line, then trim.

Best for: Joining tippet to leader, or two lines of different sizes. Fast and easy.

1. 1

   Lay the leader and tippet side by side, overlapping about 6 in (15 cm).

2. 2

   Treat both lines as one and make a loop.

3. 3

   Pass the tippet tag and the whole leader end through the loop two times.

4. 4

   Wet the knot, pull all four ends to tighten and trim both tags.

Best for: Fly line to leader or backing. Smooth and slim so it runs through the guides.

1. 1

   Lay a small tube (or nail) along the end of the fly line. Lay the leader butt the other way, overlapping about 6 in (15 cm).

2. 2

   Wrap the leader tag 5 or 6 times around the tube, fly line and leader, working toward the end of the fly line.

3. 3

   Push the leader tag back through the tube, from the end where the wraps finished.

4. 4

   Hold the wraps, slide the tube out, pull both ends of the leader tight and trim both tags.

Best for: Braid to mono or fluorocarbon leader. Strong, slim and easier to tie on the boat than the FG.

1. 1

   Double the leader to make a loop. Push about 10 in (25 cm) of braid through the loop.

2. 2

   Wrap the braid 7 times around both strands of the loop, working away from the loop.

3. 3

   Wrap 7 more times back toward the loop, over the first wraps.

4. 4

   Pass the braid tag back out through the loop the same way it went in. Wet, pull tight and trim both tags.

Best for: A fixed loop at the lure so jigs and plugs swing freely and move more.

1. 1

   Tie a loose overhand knot in the line about 8 in (20 cm) from the end.

2. 2

   Pass the tag through the hook or lure eye, then back through the overhand knot the same way the line came out of it.

3. 3

   Wrap the tag around the main line 3 to 5 times (use more turns for light line, fewer for heavy).

4. 4

   Pass the tag back through the overhand knot the same way it came out.

5. 5

   Wet the knot. Pull the tag to snug the wraps, then pull the main line and lure apart to close it. Trim the tag.

Best for: A quick, strong loop at the end of a line or leader for loop-to-loop connections.

1. 1

   Double the end of the line to make a loop about 6 in (15 cm) long.

2. 2

   Make an overhand knot with the doubled line: lay the loop end over to form a circle and pass it through once.

3. 3

   Pass the loop end through the circle a second time. This double overhand is what makes it a surgeon's loop.

4. 4

   Wet the knot. Hold the loop and pull the main line and tag together to tighten. Trim the tag.

Best for: A loop in the middle of the line for an extra hook on bottom rigs.

1. 1

   Make a loop in the line where you want the dropper, about 6 in (15 cm) across.

2. 2

   Twist one side of the loop around the other 5 to 7 times. Keep the loop open above the twists.

3. 3

   Spread the twists apart in the middle and push the top of the loop down through that gap.

4. 4

   Hold the loop and pull both ends of the line. The twists tighten and the loop stands out from the line.

Best for: A strong double-line loop for offshore trolling and big fish. Keeps close to full line strength.

1. 1

   Double about 3 ft (1 m) of line to form a long loop.

2. 2

   Put your hand in the loop and spin it 20 times so the two legs twist together.

3. 3

   Spread the loop over your knee or feet. Hold the tag at a right angle and let it roll back down over the twists.

4. 4

   When the rolls reach the end of the twists, lock them with a half hitch around one leg of the loop.

5. 5

   Finish with a 3-turn hitch around both legs, pull it snug toward the knot and trim the tag.

Best for: Tying line or backing onto an empty reel spool.

1. 1

   Take the line around the reel spool (the arbor) and bring the tag back out.

2. 2

   With the tag, tie an overhand knot around the main line.

3. 3

   Tie a second overhand knot in the very end of the tag. This stopper keeps the first knot from slipping.

4. 4

   Pull the main line so both knots slide down and lock against the spool. Trim the tag.

Best for: Single-strand wire to hooks and swivels for kingfish, wahoo and barracuda.

1. 1

   Pass the wire through the eye and bend the tag back alongside the main wire, leaving a small loop.

2. 2

   Twist the two wires around each other 4 or 5 times, so both wires twist evenly (like an X, not one wrapped around the other).

3. 3

   Bend the tag straight out and wrap it tightly around the main wire 4 or 5 times, each turn right against the last.

4. 4

   Bend the tag into a small crank handle and turn it in a circle until it breaks off cleanly at the last wrap. Never cut it: a cut end leaves a sharp burr.