Braided Fishing Line Knots that
Won't Let You Down

If you learn these few braided fishing line knots you won't suffer from braid line's tendency to let go at the connections.

The advantages of braid fishing line are well-known - primarily its small diameter, high strength and almost total lack of stretch - but it does have a reputation for being 'difficult' when it comes to tying knots in it.

This isn't really deserved. Ok, some knots that are fine in nylon monofilament line just won't hold in braid, so they should be avoided - so it's just a matter of knowing the correct knots to use for braid and learning to tie them properly.

Where Will You Need To Tie Braided Fishing Line Knots?

The normal use for braided line is as your main reel line, with your leader or terminal rig being made up with either nylon monofilament or fluorocarbon line. So the two places where you'll have to tie knots in your braid line are:~

• at the connection with the leader, and


• at swivels and snaps

Connecting Braided Line to Mono Leaders

It's always worth using a fairly long mono leader with braid line even if you're jigging, trolling or downtiding and not casting with it, owing to its zero stretch.

With the fish almost beaten and close to the boat, a last ditch attempt to to shake itself free of the hook might well be successful if you haven't got a length of stretchy mono to absorb the shock.

The mono leader will be much thicker than the braid reel line, so a special knot is needed for this connection.

The Albright Knot

Here's how to tie it...

First, double back the end of the mono leader and thread the braid through the eye produced.

Next, start whipping back the braid over itself and the mono leader.

Then, make about ten turns before tucking the tag end of the braid through the loop such that it emerges on the same side as it entered.

Finally, lubricate with saliva before smoothly pulling the knot up tight.

Trim both braid and mono ends, and you've tied the first of the two braided fishing line knots you need to know.

Connecting Braided Line to Swivels and Snaps

If you're not using a leader at the end of your braided reel line, then you'll want to connect a swivel or some other connector to attach your terminal tackle. Here's the knot to use for that - the rather unimaginatively named 'Braid Knot'.

The Braid Knot

First, double the line and pass the resulting loop through the eye of the hook.

Then, from a point a few centimeters from the eye, take about 8-10 turns back toward the hook, finally threading the doubled line through the gap between the turns and the eye.

Finally, lubricate it with saliva and then cinch it up tight with a steady, continuous pull.

Artwork by Andrew Simpson

and finally ...

Buy It Here!

If you like the idea of having the most popular sea fishing knots all together in one place for easy reference, this handy little pocket guide is just the thing.

It sets out in step-by-step instructions and nicely drawn sketches how to tie all the knots you'll ever be likely to need - 18 of them in all, including knots for mono line and braided fishing line knots.

Being spiral bound it opens flat, leaving both hands free to tie the knot - and it's waterproof!