The Strongest Fishing Knots (and When to Use Each)
Which fishing knot is strongest? A plain comparison of the Palomar, uni, improved clinch, FG, double uni and blood knot by job and line type.
Every knot weakens the line a little. A well-tied good knot keeps about 85–95% of the line's breaking strain; a badly tied one can lose half. So the "strongest knot" is the right knot for the job, tied neatly and seated wet. Here is how the common knots compare.
The short answer
Strongest hook/lure knot: the Palomar knot, especially on braid.
Strongest braid-to-leader join: the FG knot; the double uni is close and much easier.
Most versatile: the uni knot.
Comparison
Knot | Job | Lines | Strength | Ease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hook, lure, swivel | Mono, fluoro, braid | Very high | Easy | |
Hook, lure, swivel | Mono, fluoro | High | Easy | |
Hook, loop, spool | All | High | Easy | |
Lure with a loop | All | High | Medium | |
Join two lines | All, incl. braid to mono | High | Easy | |
Braid to leader | Braid + mono/fluoro | Highest | Hard | |
Join similar lines | Mono, fluoro | High | Medium | |
Hair rig | Hook links | High | Easy |
The strength ranks are typical results from published knot tests; your results depend on the line, the diameter and how well you tie.
What actually makes a knot strong
Wet it. Saliva or water stops friction heat from damaging the line as it tightens.
Neat wraps. Coils should lie side by side, never crossed.
Right number of turns. More turns for thin and slippery lines, fewer for thick ones.
Seat it fully. Pull slowly and firmly until nothing moves.
Retie often. After a big fish, a snag or an hour of casting, cut and retie.
Our pick for beginners
Learn the Palomar for hooks and lures, the uni for everything else, and the double uni for leaders. That covers nearly all freshwater and shore fishing.
Every guide is on the fishing knots page.
