Clinch Knot and Improved Clinch Knot: How to Tie Them
The improved clinch knot is the classic way to tie mono or fluorocarbon to a hook or lure. Five turns, one extra tuck, and it holds.
The clinch knot ties fishing line to a hook, lure or swivel. The improved clinch knot adds one extra tuck that stops the knot slipping, and it is the version most anglers should use. It is quick, it works with lures of any size, and on monofilament or fluorocarbon it keeps most of the line's strength.
Clinch or improved clinch?
Clinch knot: line through the eye, wrap, tuck through the small loop by the eye. Fine for light mono.
Improved clinch knot: the same, plus one more tuck through the big loop you just made. It grips better and slips far less. Use this one.
Lines it suits
Monofilament: yes. 5 turns for 8–20 lb line, 6–7 turns for lighter line, 4 turns above about 25 lb.
Fluorocarbon: yes, with fewer turns (4–5) because fluoro is stiff. Seat it slowly and wet.
Braid: not recommended. Braid is slippery and the clinch can pull out. Use a Palomar knot or a uni knot.
How to tie an improved clinch knot
Thread the eye. Pass about 15 cm (6 in) of line through the hook eye.
Wrap. Twist the tag end around the standing line 5 times, moving away from the hook.
First tuck. Pass the tag end back through the small loop just above the eye.
Second tuck (the improvement). Pass the tag end through the large loop you formed in step 3.
Wet and seat. Moisten the wraps and pull the standing line steadily so the coils slide down onto the eye. Trim the tag to about 3 mm.
Common mistakes
Wrong number of turns. Too few and it slips; too many on heavy line and it will not seat.
Coils stacked on top of each other. They should lie in a neat spiral. If they cross, cut and retie.
Pulling the tag instead of the standing line. Seat the knot with the main line.
Dry seating. Heat from friction weakens the line. Always wet the knot.
Clinch vs Palomar
Use the improved clinch with large lures and plugs, where passing the lure through a Palomar loop is awkward. Use the Palomar on braid and when you want the last bit of strength.
Next knots to learn
Non-slip loop knot — a loop that lets lures move freely.
How to tie a fishing hook — three hook knots compared.
See every guide on the fishing knots page.
