Improved Clinch Knot
BeginnerHook & Lure
The most widely used fishing knot for tying line directly to a hook, lure, or swivel. It wraps the tag end around the standing line several times, then threads it back through the first loop and the big loop it just created — a design that grips tight under load without slipping. Reliable, fast to tie, and strong enough for most freshwater and light saltwater fishing.
Profile
- Strength: 8/10
- Ease: 8/10
- Speed: 8/10
- Reliability: 7/10
- Versatility: 8/10
- Compactness: 7/10
How to Tie It
- Thread the tag end through the hook or lure eye, then back alongside the standing line.
- Wrap the tag end around the standing line 5-7 times (fewer turns for heavy line, more for light line).
- Thread the tag end back through the small loop just above the eye, then through the large loop you just created.
- Moisten the knot and pull the standing line and tag end steadily to cinch it down tight against the eye, then trim the tag end.
Best For
- Monofilament
- Fluorocarbon
Tips
- Always wet the knot with saliva or water before cinching it down — friction from a dry knot can weaken the line right at the wraps.
- Use fewer wraps (4-5) on heavy line and more (6-7) on light line — too many turns on thick line just makes a bulky knot that won't cinch down cleanly.
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