How To Tie Fishing Line Together

The purpose of tying a fishing line together will determine the type of knot that should be used, such as the Albright knot for fly fishing. Keep in mind, too, that the speed required determines the type of knot, such as using the surgeon’s knot when you’re in a hurry.

Here, I will go into greater detail about tying the surgeon’s knot because it’s a versatile knot. You can use with when tying lines of the same and different sizes, as well as when you have to tie a fishing line under less-than-ideal conditions. For example, your hands may be too stiff from the cold, so you can’t tie a more complicated knot such as a unit knot, or you have to tie a new leader. 

Align the Lines

Place the two lines that will be tied side by side, parallel to each other, with an overlap of about six inches. Be sure that the line to the leader and the line to the reel are in opposite directions for the knot to work. The overlap is a must to create a loop at this point.

Create a Loop

Grab both lines at their right-hand side. Twist the lines into a loop by crossing back over them at the point where they run parallel. Make an overlap over the loop with the two lines so that you create a double overhand knot; the latter is the traditional overhand knot but with an extra pass through its loop.

Tip: Start over to make a larger loop in case there isn’t sufficient slack to make a regular overhand knot.

Wrap the ends around the two lines, pull them through the loop and cross the loops’ ends back over and under the lines. Make a double overhand knot by pulling the ends up through the loop, but be sure to leave the loop itself loose.

Tip: From the double overhand knot, you can make a triple surgeon’s knot by making a third pass through the loop.

Finish the Knot

Pull-on all the four ends of the lines simultaneously, which will tighten the knot. Using your left-hand fingers, pinch the two ends on the knot’s left-hand side while also pinching the two ends at the right-hand side with the fingers of your right hand. The knot should close and look like an x-shaped knot at this point. 

Using either line cutters or scissors, cut off the loose ends of the lines called the tag ends.  Make sure to cut close to the surgeon’s knot as possible before finally tying the lines together.

Other Lines to Know

Once you have mastered the surgeon’s knot, it’s easier to learn other knots for tying two fishing lines together.

Blood Knot

Called the barrel knot, it’s the ideal knot for tying two lines with similar or about the same diameter.

Albright Knot

When attaching two different lines, like a braided line and a monofilament leader line, the Albright knot is the best. It’s a popular method in fly fishing even when it’s fairly time-consuming since the line has to be wrapped around for up to 10 times. 

Conclusion

You can practice your knot-making skills with the SAMSFX Fishing Line and Hook Knot Tying Tool Kit 3 Knot Tyers in Pack and the RUNCL PowerMono Fishing Line. You should ideally not learn the skill on the spot when you’re already at the fishing site. You may also read Lindsey Philpott’s The Complete Book of Fishing Knots, Leaders, and Lines beforehand.