About knots.fish
knots.fish is a dedicated fishing knot reference built by an angler, for anglers. The site documents, tests, and explains every fishing knot that matters — from the basic Improved Clinch Knot that every beginner needs to the advanced FG Knot that competitive tournament anglers rely on.
The library covers 50+ fishing knots across four categories: terminal connections, line-to-line joins, loop knots, and specialty knots. Every knot includes step-by-step tying instructions, knot strength ratings, compatible line types, and clear recommendations for when and where to use it.
About the Author
Phillip Bark is the founder and primary author of knots.fish. Phillip has been fishing freshwater and inshore saltwater for over 20 years, targeting species from largemouth bass and panfish to redfish and tarpon. He holds a fishing guide certification and has competed in multiple regional bass tournaments.
Phillip started knots.fish after years of frustration with knot resources that were either too vague, full of errors, or written by people who had clearly never fished. Every knot on this site has been physically tied and tested by Phillip before it is published.
Areas of expertise:
- Freshwater bass fishing (power fishing and finesse)
- Inshore saltwater — redfish, snook, trout
- Braid-to-leader systems (FG Knot, Alberto, Double Uni)
- Ultralight fishing on 4–6lb line
- Fly fishing leader systems
Questions or corrections? Contact Richard directly.
Our Mission
The right knot is the difference between landing the fish of a lifetime and telling the one-that-got-away story. Our mission is to be the single most useful, accurate, and complete fishing knot reference on the internet. We focus exclusively on fishing — no climbing knots, no sailing knots, no decorative knots. Every page on this site is written with the freshwater and saltwater angler in mind.
Editorial Process
Accuracy matters when an angler is trusting a knot recommendation to land a fish. Our editorial standards reflect that responsibility:
- Every knot is physically tied and tested before it is documented. We do not copy instructions from other sources.
- Strength ratings are based on published testing data and real-world performance, not marketing claims. When ratings vary between sources, we report conservative figures.
- Line type compatibility is verified across monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided line. We clearly state if a knot is unreliable on a specific line type.
- Recommendations are based on practical fishing experience. We recommend knots we actually use on the water, not knots that only work in theory.
- Content is regularly reviewed and updated as new testing data, techniques, and products emerge. Every page displays its last-updated date.
What We Cover
Fishing Knots
Our core library includes 50+ individually documented fishing knots, each with detailed tying instructions, step-by-step diagrams, strength data, and expert tips. Knots are organized by category (terminal, line-to-line, loop, specialty), difficulty level (beginner, intermediate, advanced), and compatible line type (monofilament, fluorocarbon, braided).
Fishing Guides
In-depth guides that help anglers choose the right knots for their specific fishing style. These include species-specific guides (bass fishing, trout fishing, saltwater), line type guides (best knots for braid, fluorocarbon, mono), and head-to-head knot comparisons.
Gear Reviews
Honest gear guides covering fishing line, hooks, lures, and terminal tackle. Every gear recommendation includes knot pairing advice so anglers know exactly how to connect their equipment for maximum performance.
Rigging Tutorials
Complete rig assembly guides that walk through every component and knot from the reel to the hook. Drop shots, Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, leader setups, and more — explained step by step with the right knots for each connection point.
Why Fishing Knots Matter
The knot is the weakest link in any fishing system. A typical fishing knot retains between 80% and 98% of the line’s rated strength depending on the knot type and how well it is tied. That means a poorly chosen or poorly tied knot can reduce your effective line strength by 20% or more.
Understanding knot mechanics — why some knots slip on braid, why fluorocarbon needs to be moistened before cinching, why doubled-line designs are stronger than single-pass wraps — helps anglers make better decisions and lose fewer fish.
Contact Us
Have a question about a specific knot, a suggestion for content, or feedback on our guides? Visit our contact page to get in touch. We read every message and use reader feedback to improve our content and coverage.