Fishing Knot Glossary

Arbor

The center spool of a fishing reel where line is wound. The Arbor Knot is the standard knot for attaching backing or main line to the arbor.

Backing

A length of inexpensive line (usually braided Dacron) wound onto the reel arbor before the main fishing line. Used in fly fishing and to fill bulky reels economically.

Bight

A U-shaped curve or bend in a line, made by folding a section back on itself without crossing. The bight is the loop you create before passing the tag end through.

Braided Line

Fishing line made by braiding multiple strands of synthetic fiber (typically Spectra or Dyneema). Extremely strong with no stretch and a small diameter for its strength rating. Requires specific knots like Palomar, FG, or San Diego Jam.

Breaking Strain

The maximum load (in pounds or kilograms) a fishing line can bear before breaking. Often called "test" — e.g., 20-lb test means the line breaks at approximately 20 pounds of pull.

Cinch

To tighten a knot by pulling its parts together. A "cinch knot" tightens around itself when pulled.

Dropper

A short length of line tied to the main line that holds an additional hook, fly, or lure. Used in multi-hook rigs — common in trout, bass, and bottom fishing.

Eye

The metal loop on a hook, lure, swivel, or other terminal tackle through which fishing line is threaded. Knots are tied to attach line to the eye.

Fluorocarbon

Fishing line made from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) — nearly invisible underwater, abrasion-resistant, and denser than monofilament. Often used as a leader material. Best knots: FG, Improved Clinch, San Diego Jam.

Half Hitch

A simple knot made by passing the tag end around an object and back through the loop. Often used as a finishing or locking element in more complex knots like the FG and nail knots.

Hook Set

The motion of pulling the rod sharply upward to drive the hook point into a fish's mouth. A weak knot will fail at the hook set, costing you the fish.

Leader

A length of line (usually fluorocarbon or heavier mono) tied between the main line and the lure or hook. Provides abrasion resistance, invisibility, or shock absorption depending on the application.

Line-to-Line Knot

A knot used to join two separate lines together — as opposed to a terminal knot (hook to line) or loop knot. Examples: Blood Knot, Surgeon's Knot, FG Knot, Albright Knot.

Loop

A circle of line. Used in two ways: (1) as part of a knot where line passes through itself, (2) as a finished knot like the Perfection Loop or Non-Slip Mono Loop that creates a fixed loop in the line for free movement of lures.

Monofilament (Mono)

Fishing line made from a single strand of nylon. Stretchy, inexpensive, and forgiving. The default line type for most beginners. Works with virtually all knots — Palomar, Improved Clinch, Uni, Trilene.

Overhand Knot

The simplest knot — formed by passing a loop of line over itself. The foundation element of many fishing knots including the Surgeon's Knot, Davy Knot, and Bimini Twist.

Shock Leader

A heavy section of line tied between the main line and lure to absorb the shock of casting heavy weights or fighting big fish. Essential in surf fishing and offshore trolling.

Snell

A method of attaching line to a hook by wrapping the line around the hook shank (rather than tying to the eye). Creates a strong, in-line pull that improves hook penetration.

Standing Line (Standing Part)

The main length of line — the part that runs back to your reel. The "long end" of the line, as opposed to the tag end. When a knot tightens, you pull both the standing line and the tag end.

Swivel

A small two-ring connector that allows line to rotate freely, preventing line twist. Common in trolling, rigging spinning lures, and joining main line to leaders.

Tag End

The short, free end of a line after a knot is tied — what you trim off after tightening. Always leave 1/8 to 1/4 inch of tag end so the knot doesn't slip free under load.

Terminal Tackle

The end of your fishing rig — hooks, lures, swivels, weights, snaps, and leaders. "Terminal knots" attach line to terminal tackle (Palomar, Improved Clinch, Uni Knot).

Test (Pound Test)

The breaking strain of fishing line in pounds. "20-lb test" means the line breaks at about 20 pounds of pull. Knot strength is usually expressed as a percentage of test (e.g., a 95% knot on 20-lb test breaks at 19 lbs).

Tippet

In fly fishing, the thin section of leader closest to the fly. Tippet is the lightest, most invisible portion of the leader and is replaced as flies are changed.

Turn (Wrap)

One complete pass of the line around itself or another object. Many fishing knots specify a number of turns or wraps — e.g., the Improved Clinch uses 5-7 turns.

Working End

Another name for the tag end — the end of the line you actively manipulate while tying a knot.

Wraps

See "turn." The repeated passes of line around itself in a knot. More wraps generally = more friction = stronger knot, up to a point.

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