The best saltwater fishing knot is going to depend largely on the type of fish you are angling for, and the conditions in which you are fishing. Here are the most commonly use fishing knots and simple instructions on how to tie them, but depending on the conditions and the quarry, you might have to adapt this to fit your needs.



The first knot I will discuss is the Palomar knot. The International Game and Fish Association consistently rates the Palomar knot as being the single strongest knot known to mankind. One basic trick that you should use on any fishing knot is to wet your line, and the best substance to use to wet your line is saliva. If you are adverse to using that natural substance, use cooking oil.

To tie a Palomar knot, fold about 5 inches of line double, and pass it through the eye of your hook. Avoiding twisting the lines, simply tie an overhanded knot into the double line, allowing the hook to hang freely. Next, pull down on the end of the loop, allowing it to pass totally over the hook. Then, pull on both the ends of the line to tighten and draw up the knot itself. This is a very simple knot, and because of its simplicity, it can be tied in darkness and does not require a great deal of expertise. It is very versatile as well, and works for a variety of applications.

The next knot I will mention is a clinch knot. This is also a very versatile knot that will help you tie on a hook or swivel very securely. To begin tying a clinch knot, you will need to push your line though the eye of the swivel or hook. Then, just double the line back and make five revolutions around the line.

Push the end of the line back through your very first loop (the one right above the eye) then, push it through the biggest loop, and pull the knot into shape. Now, all you have to do is to push all your coils down tightly so they lie snug against the eye of your hook or swivel.Again, it helps to moisten your line before tying the knot.

The next knot we will discuss is the Hangman's knot. This is a very useful knot, and while not as strong as a Palomar knot, it is still a very secure knot. There are half a dozen different variations to the hangman's knot, and they are all good for terminal tackle, hooks, and swivels. To begin tying a hangman's knot, make about a 6 inch loop of line. Push this entire loop through the eye of the hook or swivel. Next, bring just the end of the line back, and take it through the doubled part. Make 5 revolutions over the doubled end of the line. Work the knot itself into shape and move it down against the eye of your swivel or hook and tighten to secure.