The Best Ways of Tying Fishing Hooks To Your Line

Which knots to use for tying fishing hooks to your line depends on the angle of the hook eye and the type of line you want to attach it to.

For example, does the hook have a turned-up eye, a turned-down eye or a straight eye?

And is the line monofilament, braid or wire?

So let's start with ...

Tying Fishing Hooks with
Turned-up or Turned-Down Eyes

These types of hooks are only suited for tying with monofilament or braid line, as the line must be first passed through the eye then tied around the shank. And for both line types the knot to use is the snood knot.

The Snell Knot (or Snood Knot)
for Mono and Braid Lines

Stage 1

First, pass the line through the hook’s eye twice,as shown here. Note the loop hanging under the hook.

Stage 2

Then, take the loop and wind it around the hook’s shank and both lines. Make 5 or so turns for heavy lines, perhaps 10 for the lightest.

To tighten the knot, grip the turns between thumb and forefinger and pull the line in the direction of the arrow.

The hook shown here has turned-up eye, but had it been turned-down the process would have been exactly the same.

Tying Fishing Hooks with
Straight Eyes

Straight-eyed hooks can be attached to any type of line, but each type requires its own method. For example ...

The Uni-Knot, for Mono and Braid Lines

First, pass a line through the eye of the hook and form a loop as shown here.

Now make at least four turns (more for light lines) around both strands and through the loop. Wet the knot with saliva and start tightening it by first pulling on the tag end in the direction of the arrow.

Then, with the knot now well consolidated, snip the end off close and pull on the line to slide it down towards the hook.

And that's it, the finished knot, as it's tied for attaching the line to swivels, hooks and lures.

The Haywire Twist, for Single-Strand Wire Lines

First, pass about 4 inches (100mm) of wire through the eye of the hook and carefully fold back so that it crosses the standing part.

Next, start twisting the wire evenly so each strand turns around the other. The hook can be swiveled 90 degrees to give some leverage.

Then, after half a dozen twists, bend the tag end upwards so it's perpendicular to the standing part and ....

Finally, add half a dozen turns of 'barrel wraps'.

Don't snip off the tag end with pliers or it will leave a sharp spur.

Instead, bend the end to form a small crank handle, and then twist it back and forth until it snaps, and you've done it.

For all other types of wire, plastic-coated multi-strand wire, and cable - forming a crimped connection is your only option.

Similarly, if your mono is too thick (100lb+) for knots, then crimping is the way to go.

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.

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