Trilene Knot

The Trilene Knot, also known as the Two-Turn Clinch Knot, is a simple yet effective terminal connection developed by Berkley specifically for their Trilene monofilament line — though it works beautifully with virtually any mono or fluorocarbon. What sets it apart from the standard Clinch Knot is a small but significant modification: the line passes through the hook eye twice before the wrapping begins. This double pass creates an extra layer of friction against the eye, which boosts knot strength and resists slipping under load. It’s one of the easiest knots for beginners to learn while still delivering dependable performance for experienced anglers.

How to Tie a Trilene Knot

1. Double-pass through the eye. Thread the tag end of your line through the hook eye, then loop it around and pass it through the eye a second time in the same direction. This creates a small double loop at the eye. Pull about 6 inches of tag end through.

2. Pinch the double loop. Hold the double loop against the hook eye between your thumb and forefinger. This keeps the two passes neat and prevents them from twisting before you begin wrapping.

3. Wrap the tag end. With your free hand, wrap the tag end around the standing line 5 times, working away from the hook. Keep the wraps snug but not so tight that they bind up.

4. Thread back through the double loop. Pass the tag end back through the double loop you formed at the hook eye in Step 1. Make sure you go through both loops, not just one — this is what gives the Trilene Knot its extra holding power.

5. Moisten and tighten. Wet the knot thoroughly with saliva or water. Slowly pull the standing line while holding the tag end to draw the wraps down toward the eye. The coils should stack neatly without overlapping.

6. Seat and trim. Give the standing line a firm pull to fully seat the knot against the hook eye. Check that the double loop is seated cleanly and the wraps are tight. Clip the tag end to about 1/16 inch.

When to Use the Trilene Knot

The Trilene Knot is a versatile everyday knot for attaching hooks, lures, snaps, and swivels to monofilament or fluorocarbon line. It’s especially useful in freshwater fishing situations — from panfish and trout to bass and walleye — where reliability and ease of tying are priorities. Because it’s so quick to learn, it’s an outstanding first knot for young anglers or anyone new to fishing. The double pass through the eye also makes it a strong choice when fishing with lighter lines in the 2- to 12-pound range, where a standard clinch knot might occasionally slip under sudden shock loads.

Pro Tips

• Don’t skip the double pass. The entire advantage of this knot over a standard Clinch comes from threading the eye twice. If you only pass through once, you’ve tied a regular Clinch Knot and lost the extra grip.
• Use 5 wraps for most line weights. Five wraps provide the best balance of strength and compactness for lines ranging from 4- to 15-pound test. With heavier line, 4 wraps may be easier to seat properly.
• Watch for line twist. When passing the line through the eye twice, make sure the two passes lie parallel and don’t cross over each other. Twisted loops at the eye reduce knot strength.
• Tighten slowly and steadily. Jerking the knot tight can cause the wraps to bunch unevenly. A slow, firm pull ensures everything seats correctly and the knot reaches its full strength potential.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Very easy to tie, making it perfect for beginners and quick re-rigging on the water
• The double pass through the eye adds meaningful grip over a standard Clinch Knot
• Works well with a wide range of monofilament and fluorocarbon line weights
• Compact finished profile that doesn’t interfere with lure action

Cons:

• Not recommended for braided line, which tends to slip through the double loop
• Slightly lower overall strength (~85%) compared to some other terminal knots like the Palomar
• Can be tricky to thread through small hook eyes twice, especially with heavier line
• The double loop at the eye adds a small amount of bulk compared to single-pass knots