Those who fish saltwater know that angling for some of the world’s toughest fish in harsh conditions requires stronger fishing knots that go beyond the ones commonly used in freshwater fishing.
As a key link that can make the difference between catching and losing a fish, you need saltwater knots that will withstand the toughest conditions. Here are the best saltwater knots, for a variety of applications, which will provide that extra strength you need.
LURE TO LINE
There are two types of knots you can use to tie your line to a lure. There are snug knots, which will provide more strength and there are loop knots, which will give your lure more action. The type you choose to use is your preference, but learning the best knots for each case is essential.
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The best snug knots to learn are the improved clinch knot, the Palomar knot, the uni knot and the Orvis knot. The Palomar knot is best for braided line, while the Orvis, uni and improved clinch knots are easy-to-tie all-around knots with exceptional strength and durability.
For loop knots, concentrate on the perfection, Rapala and Kreh loop knots. Each of these provides maximum strength and no-slip dependability.
LINE AND LEADER
Another important connection is attaching a leader to your line. This is a critical point where you want maximum strength. The key knots to learn are the Albright, Bristol, double uni, slim beauty, Seaguar and Yucatan.
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The Albright is especially effective for joining line and leader with a significant difference in diameter. The double uni is strong and easy to tie quickly, and can be used for braided to mono or mono to mono line and leader. The Yucatan knot is best for tying braided line to a mono leader. The Seaguar slim beauty knots are exceptional choices for fluorocarbon. And the Bristol is especially good for tying a leader to a double line.
WIRE LEADER
If you are using wire leader, the best knot you can learn to use is the haywire twist. This creates a super-strong connection that will not let you down. This one takes some practice, but it is definitely worth the effort.
LOOPS
When you need a strong, dependable loop in your line there are a number of knots to become familiar with. They include the dropper loop, Australian plait, spider hitch, surgeons end loop, Bimini twist and king sling.
The dropper loop allows you to create a loop anywhere along the length of your line. The Australian plait, spider hitch and surgeons end loop are used for creating loops at the end of your line. The Bimini twist is tough to master, but it is arguably the strongest knot you can tie.
SNELLS
Snelling line to a hook can be tricky and you want to be sure to use the best knot possible for saltwater conditions. If you are going to snell your hooks, make sure to practice to get it right. The key is making sure that the line or leader stays in line with the hook.
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