Cat's Paw Knot

The Cat’s Paw is a classic connection knot prized for its symmetrical design and exceptional strength when joining a doubled line to a swivel, ring, or hook eye. Originally borrowed from sailing and commercial rigging, this knot has become a staple in big game fishing where anglers use a Bimini Twist or Spider Hitch to create a doubled line section and then need a strong, reliable way to attach that doubled line to terminal tackle. The Cat’s Paw works by twisting each leg of the doubled line around itself multiple times before seating them on the ring, so the load is shared perfectly evenly between both strands. This even distribution is what gives the Cat’s Paw its outstanding strength retention, consistently testing in the 95 percent range. The knot is remarkably simple for how effective it is and can be tied in seconds once you know the technique.

How to Tie the Cat’s Paw

1. Pass the loop of your doubled line through the swivel eye or ring from one side.
2. Open the loop wide and drape it over the swivel, letting the swivel hang in the center with a leg of doubled line on each side.
3. Take the right leg and twist it around itself three to five times by rotating the swivel clockwise. Keep the twists neat and evenly spaced.
4. Take the left leg and twist it around itself the same number of times by rotating the swivel counterclockwise. The twists on each side should be symmetrical.
5. Ensure the swivel or ring sits in the exact center between the two sets of twists.
6. Moisten the twists thoroughly with water or saliva.
7. Pull steadily on both the standing doubled line and the swivel simultaneously to seat the knot. The twists will tighten and compress against the swivel ring.
8. Verify that both sides have the same number of twists and the load appears evenly balanced before trimming or fishing.

When to Use the Cat’s Paw

• Big game fishing when connecting a Bimini Twist doubled line to a swivel or snap swivel at the terminal end of your wind-on leader.
• Offshore trolling setups where the connection between doubled line and leader swivel must handle extreme loads from tuna, marlin, or wahoo.
• Any doubled line scenario where you need a strong, non-slip attachment to a ring, swivel, or heavy-duty split ring.
• Tournament fishing that follows IGFA rules, where the Cat’s Paw is an approved connection method within the doubled line section of the class tackle system.

Pro Tips

• Keep the number of twists equal on both sides. Uneven twists cause one strand to bear more load than the other, defeating the purpose of the doubled line and reducing overall strength.
• Three twists per side is the minimum for security. For heavier line over 50-pound test, increase to five twists per side to ensure the knot seats evenly and does not slip under load.
• When tying with thick monofilament or fluorocarbon, use pliers to hold the swivel and seat the knot firmly. Heavy line requires significant force to cinch the Cat’s Paw completely, and hand strength alone may not be enough.
• Practice the twist direction so it becomes second nature: right side clockwise, left side counterclockwise. Reversing this will still work but is easier to get wrong and may result in asymmetrical loading.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Distributes load evenly across both strands of a doubled line, achieving roughly 95 percent strength retention.
• Very simple to tie and requires no tools, threading, or complex tucking sequences.
• Seats cleanly on swivels and rings of all sizes, from ultralight micro swivels to heavy offshore crane swivels.
• Universally recognized by IGFA and tournament organizations as a legal and reliable connection method.

Cons:

• Only works with doubled line, so it requires a Bimini Twist, Spider Hitch, or similar loop knot already tied as a prerequisite.
• The knot can be difficult to untie after being loaded heavily, often requiring the connection to be cut rather than reused.
• If the twists are not symmetrical, strength drops significantly, so careless tying undermines the primary advantage.
• Not designed for single-strand line connections; attempting to use it without a doubled section results in a weak, unreliable hold.