Tie a Palomar knot
A simple, strong knot for hooks, lures and swivels — six steps, and it holds close to the full strength of your line.
Step by step
Double the line
Fold about 15 cm of line back on itself to make a loop.
Pass the loop through the eye
Push the doubled loop through the hook eye. Do not twist it.
Tie an overhand knot
With the doubled line, tie a loose overhand knot. The hook hangs at the bottom.
Pass the hook through the loop
Take the loop over the hook and pass the hook completely through it.
Wet and tighten
Wet the knot, then pull both the tag and main line steadily until it seats against the eye.
Trim
Trim the tag to about 2 mm. Check the knot sits square on the eye before you cast.
Why this knot
The Palomar is the knot to learn first. It is tied with doubled line the whole way through, so it keeps close to the full breaking strain of your main line, and it is short enough to tie in poor light with cold hands.
It works with braid and with monofilament, on hooks, swivels and lure clips. The one thing it will not do is tie onto a lure too large to pass the loop over — for those, use a clip.
The mistake everyone makes
Not wetting the knot. Pulling a dry knot tight generates enough friction to damage the line where it matters most. Wet it, then tighten slowly and evenly.
Log the next one
Every catch kept, conditions filled in for you.