Knots & know-how
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Line adviser
Setup readyBraid or mono?
Best starting point
8-strand round braid, roughly PE 0.8–1.2 (about 0.13–0.18 mm)
about 6–10 kg stated breaking strain
Leader: 0.25–0.35 mm mono or fluorocarbon leader; add wire/titanium for toothy fish
Tune setup
Why this setup?
Leader: 0.25–0.35 mm mono or fluorocarbon leader; add wire/titanium for toothy fish
- ✓ Long casts and direct lure feel
- ✓ Thin diameter helps small lures work naturally
- • Do not fill the spool to the lip
- • Use a braid-safe knot and check the leader join
What to keep in mind
Braid: compare real diameter and tested strength, not PE alone. More strands are usually rounder/quieter; coatings affect handling and fade.
Mono: useful stretch and easy handling, but memory and UV ageing increase over time.
Fluorocarbon: denser and often abrasion-resistant, but it is not invisible. Stiffness and knot quality matter.
Leader: choose material and length for teeth, rock, weed, clarity and shock loading.
Coil cut line, contain it and use a fishing-line recycling point where available.
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Filter skills 16
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16 skills
Tap one for the full guide
Improved clinch knot
Fast, reliable hook, swivel and lure attachment in mono and fluorocarbon.
Easy85–95% of line strength when lubricatedmono+20 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guidePalomar knot
The strongest simple braid-to-hook knot; excellent with mono too.
Easy90–100% with braidbraid+20 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideUni knot (grinner)
One knot for hooks, swivels, clips and spool arbors in any line.
Easy80–90%mono+20 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideDouble uni knot
Joining two lines of similar diameter, including braid to mono leaders.
Moderate75–85%mono+30 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideFG knot
The slimmest, strongest braid-to-leader join — passes through guides.
Practice needed90–98%braid+60 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideAlbright / Alberto knot
Joining lines of very different diameters, including wire traces.
Moderate80–90%braid+40 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideBlood knot
Neat, straight joins between similar mono or fluorocarbon lines.
Moderate75–85%mono+30 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideSurgeon's knot
Quick leader joins when your hands are cold and light is fading.
Easy80–90%mono+20 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideRapala / non-slip loop knot
Letting a lure or jig swing freely for a livelier action.
Moderate80–90%mono+30 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideLoop-to-loop connection
Swapping fly leaders in seconds without cutting fly line.
EasyNot rated yetfly-line+15 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideFly terminal knots: clinch and Davy
Attaching flies to fine tippet without crushing it.
Moderate80–90% on fine tippetmono+30 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideCarp hair rig and feeder basics
Presenting boilies and pellets off the hook so the hook can catch hold.
ModerateNot rated yetmono+40 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideIce fishing setup basics
Thin line, tiny jigs and safe movement on hard water.
EasyNot rated yetmono+30 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideMeasuring a fish correctly
Verified catch entries that hold up in leagues and competitions.
EasyNot rated yet+25 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideSafe fish handling and release
Fish that swim away strong — and cleaner hands for you.
EasyNot rated yet+25 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guideSetting your drag properly
Landing more fish and losing fewer knots and hook holds.
ModerateSet to roughly 25–30% of line breaking strainmono+30 XPVideo + steps insideOpen guide