How to Tie a Fishing Hook: 3 Knots That Hold
Three ways to tie a hook to fishing line — the Palomar, the improved clinch and the snell — and when to use each one.
There are dozens of hook knots, but three cover almost everything: the Palomar, the improved clinch and the snell. Learn the first two for lures and general fishing and the snell for bait hooks.
Quick choice
Situation | Knot |
|---|---|
Braided line | |
Mono or fluoro, big lure | |
Bait hook, offset or circle hook | Snell knot |
One knot for everything |
Palomar knot (strongest, easiest on braid)
Double 15 cm of line, push the loop through the eye, tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line, pass the hook through the loop, wet and pull tight. Full Palomar guide →
Improved clinch knot (fast with lures)
Pass the line through the eye, wrap the tag around the standing line 5 times, tuck it through the small loop at the eye, then back through the big loop, wet and pull tight. Full clinch guide →
Snell knot (for bait hooks)
A snell ties the line along the shank, so a pull on the line rotates the point into the fish. It suits circle hooks and bait fishing.
Pass 20 cm of line through the hook eye from the front, and lay it along the shank toward the bend.
Form a loop that hangs below the hook.
Holding the line against the shank, wrap the loop side tightly around the shank and both lines 7–10 times, working toward the eye.
Hold the wraps and pull the standing line so the loop closes under the wraps.
Wet and pull the standing line and the tag in opposite directions to seat. Trim.
Tips for every hook knot
Wet the knot before you pull it tight; friction heat weakens nylon.
Pull slowly and firmly with the standing line.
Leave a 3 mm tag.
Test it. A firm pull now beats a lost fish later. If the knot looks messy, cut it and tie again.
Then see the strongest fishing knots and the full fishing knots page.
