Fishing with Dad

The Water Knot is frequently used by freshwater bait-casters for tying a leader to braided line or for repairing a break in a line, and it can be used for connecting monofilament. It is not as strong as some knots such as the Blood Knot or the Surgeon’s Knot, and is seldom the choice of most saltwater anglers. However, it is easy to tie and remember.

Step 1: Begin the Water Knot by laying the two pieces of line parallel with each other and overlapping six inches.

Step 2: Tie an overhand knot with the tag end of each line around the standing part of the other, and pull the knots together. The knot is serviceable at this point.

Step 3: It is made stronger, but bulkier, by taking the tag end of one line where it emerges from its overhand knot and winding three times around the standing part of the other line. Push the tag end back through the loop nearest the overhand knot, and repeat the process on the other side.

Step 4: Tighten the knot, and trim the excess off the tag ends.

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The Carrick Bend is a knot most often seen around the shipping docks and on large vessels where seaman are tying two haswers together. But it works well in any large rope and heavy line and is a good knot when the ropes are of slightly dissimilar size. It will not jam. The Carrick Bend is somehwhat similaar to the reef knot in that a mistake can result in a granny knot.

Step 1: Make a crossing turn with one rope and lay the working end of the second rope over it.

Step 2:Bring the working end of the second rope under the standing part of the first crossing turn then up and over the working end of the first rope as you begin to create two woven over hand loops.

Step 3: This step continues the weaving. Bring the working end of the second rope under the first turn, over its own standing part, then under the far side of the turn created with the first rope.

Step 4: Pull on all four parts to firm the knot. As strain is applied to the standing parts, the knot will collapse on itself and tighten.

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This knot is the most widely used knot because it’s fast, effective, and easy.  You can use it to attach a hook or lure to swivel, leader or line.

Pass line through hook eye and turn 5 or 6 times.

Put loose end through loop at eye.

Pull loose end back through the new loop.

Pull line tight and clip.

Dave’s Sinker Loop is another alternative to the array of loop knots that anglers use for attaching a sinker to a line or leader. This one is strong and can be tied in most leader and line materials, but it has no advantage over other knots in its group. It may be easier for some to tie and remember so it is worth considering.

Step 1: Dave’s Sinker Loop is begun by doubling the line or leader back to form a bight.

Step 2: Bring the bight, which is now a working loop, around and up perpendicular to the tag end and standing part which are parallel to each other. This forms a second loop.

Step 3: Bend the first loop over and down behind the standing part and tag end so that it extends well beyond the second loop.

Step 4: Pass the first loop through the second loop.

Step 5: Pinch the tag end and the standing part ahead of the forming knot and pull the first loop completely through the second loop until it is tight. Trim off the tag end, leaving and eighth-inch long tag.

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