The Arbor Knot provides the angler with a quick, easy connection for attaching line to the reel spool.

1.  Pass the line around reel arbor.

2.  Tie an overhand knot around the standing line.

3.  Tie a second overhand knot in the tag end.

4.  Pull tight and snip off excess. Snug down first overhand knot on the reel arbor.

This knot is used to join to lines of similar size together, also used frequently by fly fishermen tying there own leaders.  The knot strength is between 95-100% of the line test.

1. Lie the ends of the two lines against each other, overlapping about 6 inches.  Take 5 turns around one line with the end of the other, and bring the end back where it's held between the two lines.

2.  Repeat by taking 5 turns around the other line, bringing the end back between the two lines. These two ends should then project in opposite directions.

3.  Wet and work the knot up into loops, taking care that the two ends do not slip out of position.

4.  Draw the knot up tightly and clip the tag ends carefully.

This special knot has been extensively tested by the Berkley R&D staff and has proven to be one of the best for use with the new braided lines.

1. Run double loop through eye of hook or lure.

2. Loop around end of line and standing part of braiding line 8 times.  Thread double loop back between the eye and coil.

3. Tighten knot with a steady, even motion without hesitation.  Trim double loop and end of braid line leaving about 1/4 inch.

The Bimini Twist is used primarily for offshore trolling, double-line leaders and connecting the main fishing line to shock tippits.

1.  Measure a little more than twice the footage you'll want for the double-line leader.  Bring end back to standing line and hold together.  Rotate end of loop 20 times, putting twists in it.

2. Spread loop to force twists together about 10" below tag end.  Step both feet through loop and bring it up around knees so pressure can be placed on column of twists by spreading knees apart.

3.  With twists forced tightly together, hold standing line in one hand with tension just slightly off the vertical position.  With other hand, move tag end to position at right angle to twists.  Keeping tension on loop with knees, gradually ease tension of tag end so it will roll over the column of twists, beginning just below the upper twist.

4.  Spread legs apart slowly to maintain pressure on loop.  Steer tag end into a tight spiral coil as it continues to roll over the twisted line.

5.  When spiral of tag end has rolled over column of twists, continue keeping knee pressure on loop and move hand which has held standing line down to grasp knot.  Place finger in crotch of line where loop joins knot to prevent slippage of last turn.  Take half-hitch with tag end around nearest leg of loop and pull up

6.  With half-hitch holding knot, release knee pressure but keep loop stretched out tight. Using remaining tag end, take half-hitch around both legs of loop, but do not pull tight

7.  Make two more turns with the tag end around both legs of the loop, winding inside the bend of line formed by the loose half-hitch and toward the main knot.  Pull tag end slowly, forcing the three loops to gather in a spiral.

8.  When loops are pulled up neatly against main knot, tighten to lock knot in place.  Trim tag end about 1/4" from knot.  These directions apply to tying double-line leaders of around five feet or less.  For longer double-line sections, two people may be required to hold the line and make initial twist

The Crawford knot often is overlooked by even the most skilled anglers. It is a very versatile knot for tying most types of hook, swivel, or lure "eyes" to a leader or line. The Crawford knot is not nearly so difficult to tie as it looks.

1. Insert the line through the hook eye, leaving about eight inches for tying the knot. Bring the line end back around the standing part of the line to form a loop.

2. Now bring the line end under the standing part of the line, and over the two parallel lines, as shown.

3. The knot has formed a "figure 8." Bring the tag end of the line under the two parallel strands, then back over all three lines.

4. The knot is completed by tucking the tag end between the standing line and the front part of the loop. Pull the knot tight, slide it down and "jam" it against the hook eye and trim.

This knot is used to form a loop which stands out from the line above a sinker or other terminal rig.

1. First, form a loop in the line.

2. Pull one side of the loop down and begin taking turns with it around the standing line. Keep point where turns are made open so turns gather equally on each side.

3. After eight to ten turns, reach through center opening and pull remaining loop through. Keep finger in this loop so it will not spring back.

4. Hold loop with teeth and pull both ends of line, making turns gather on either side of loop.

5. Set knot by pulling lines as tightly as possible. Tightening coils will make loop stand out perpendicular to line. Not a strong knot but servicable for pan fish and small salt water species where such rigs are used.

The float fisherman uses a running float for casting and general handiness, and stops the float from running up the line by using the Float Stop.  It has the advantage that the stop moves readily over the rod guides, but grips the monofilament line so tightly that it will not slide over the line. It should be made with about 5 inches of nylon, usually the same diameter as the line itself.

1. Take 2 turns (3 if necessary) around the main line at the chosen point.

2. Bring both ends around to form a Surgeon's Knot..

3. Tighten into shape bringing the coils close together and trim the tag ends.

For trolling lures or jigs, this is a good knot because it allows the lure to work freely at the end of the line.

1. Tie an overhand knot in the fishing line a few inches above the end but don't snug it up. After passing the end of the line through the eye of the lure, push the end back through the opening of the overhand knot.

2. Tie another overhand knot above the first, making sure to tie the knot around the line. Finally, snug the overhand knots together.

The Improved Clinch Knot is one of the most widely used knots for tying a line to a hook, lure, or swivel.  The knot strength is between 85-90% of the line test.

The most critical aspect of this knot is how many turns are made around the standing part. Extensive research has demonstrated that the correct number is 5. If you use less than 5 turns, you sacrifice knot strength; and if you exceed 5 turns, it becomes increasingly difficult to tighten the knot properly.

1.  Pass the line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure. Double back and make five turns around the standing line.

2. Holding the coils in place, thread the tag end of the first loop above the eye, then back through the big loop.

3. Moisten the knot and while holding the tag end and standing, pull up the coils tightening the knot. Make sure the coils are in a spiral, not overlapping each other.  Slide the knot against the eye. Clip the tag end.

The Nail Knot is generally used to attach fly line to fly line backing.  This knot can also be used to attach a leader to a line. This makes a strong smooth knot that rolls out when casting.  The nail knot is good for attaching two lines of different diameters.

1. Hold nail or needle, tip of fly line and backing material between thumb and forefinger.  Wrap backing 6 or 7 turns.  Wind careful for a tight, smooth knot.  Stick end of backing between nail and fly line.

2. Remove nail.  Holding coils carefully between thumb and forefinger, alternately pull both ends of backing with free hand to tighten.

3. Snip off excess backing and end of fly line.

This knot is used when adding a shock leader to your line. The line being added is usually of higher strength than what is spooled on your reel.

1. Run about 12 inches of your leader line on top of the spooled line. Make 5 wraps around your leader line and spooled line. Bring the tag end of the leader line through the loop formed by the wraps. Hold both lines and slowly pull the tag end tight.

2. Now run the free end of the spooled line about 12 inches over the leader line. Make 5 wraps around both lines and pull the tag end through the loop formed by the wraps. Hold both lines and slowly pull the tag end tight.

	3. Wet the lines with saliva and pull slowly, holding the tag ends tight against the other line, in opposite directions until the knots butt against each other.
	4. Make sure the knots are tight and

This is an excellent line to lure connection that allows for good action on retrieval.

1. First, tie an overhand knot, leaving five inches of line with which to complete the knot, then pass the tag end through the lure's line-tie ring.

2. Next, pass the tag end back through the overhand knot.

3. Then wind the tag end three times around the standing part of the line.

4. Pass the tag end back through the overhand knot.

5. Now thread the tag end through the loop formed.

6. Finally, moisten the knot, and pull tight.

The Snell Knot provides a strong connection when fishing with bait and using a separate length of leader. You can only use a Snell Knot with a leader.

1. Insert one end of the leader through the hook's eye, extending 1 to 2 inches past the eye. Insert the other end of the leader through the eye in the opposite direction pointing toward the barb of the hook. Hold the hook and leader ends between your thumb and forefinger of left hand. Leader will hang below the hook in a large loop.

2. Take the part of the large lower loop that is closest to the eye and wrap it over the hook shank and both ends of the leader toward the hook's barb.

3. Continue to wrap for 7 or 8 turns and hold wraps with left hand. Grip the end of the leader that is through the eyelet with your right hand and pull it slowly and steadily. Hold the turns with your left hand or the knot will unravel. When knot is almost tight, slide it up against the eye of the hook. Grip the short end lying along the shank of the hook with a pair of pliers. Pull this end and the standing line at the same time to completely tighten the knot.

This is the faster, easier knot to create a it is equally strong but does not have the resilience of the Bimini Twist under sharp impact.

1. Form a loop of the leader length desired. Near the point where it meets the standing line, twist a section into a small reverse loop.

2. Hold small loop between thumb and fore-finger with thumb extended well above finger and loop standing out beyond end of thumb.

3. Wind double line around both thumb and loop, taking five turns. Pass remainder of large loop through the smaller one and pull to make five turns unwind off the thumb.

4. Pull tag end of line to tighten knot snugly and trim tag end to about 1/8 inch.

Used to tie a leader to a line where diameters vary considerably.

1. Lay line and leader parallel, overlapping 6" to 8".

2. Treating the two like a single line, tie an overhand knot, pulling the entire leader through the loop.

3. Leaving the loop of the overhand open, pull both tag end of line and leader through again.

4. Hold both lines and both ends to pull knot tight. Clip ends close to avoid foul-up in rod guides.