Trilene Knot
Trilene Knot
A double-wrap variation of the clinch knot with improved grip. Berkley designed it specifically for monofilament and fluorocarbon — two passes through the eye before wrapping creates a stronger seat.
Video by Sportfishing Report on YouTube
About the Trilene Knot
The Trilene Knot was developed by Berkley as an improvement on the standard improved clinch knot. The key difference: the line is passed through the hook eye twice before wrapping, creating a double loop at the eye that grips the hook more securely and resists slipping under load.
It's particularly effective on monofilament and fluorocarbon, where the double loop at the eye prevents the common failure point of clinch-style knots. Many tournament bass anglers prefer the Trilene knot for its reliability under repeated hook sets.
Best Used For
Ideal applications
- ✓ Monofilament and fluorocarbon
- ✓ Bass fishing with heavy hook sets
- ✓ Small to medium hooks and lures
- ✓ Any situation where the improved clinch tends to slip
Not ideal for
- ✗ Braided line (slips without modification)
- ✗ Very large hook eyes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these 5 steps to tie the Trilene Knot. Watch the video above while following along.
Step 1: Double through the eye
Pass the tag end through the hook eye. Then pass it through the eye a second time, forming a double loop at the eye.
Step 2: Make five wraps
Wrap the tag end around the standing line five times, moving away from the hook eye.
Step 3: Thread through the double loop
Pass the tag end through both loops at the hook eye. Pull the tag end through fully.
Step 4: Thread through the second loop
Now pass the tag end back through the loop that formed between the wraps and the eye (the large loop) — same as the improved clinch tuck.
Step 5: Wet and tighten
Wet the knot. Pull the standing line and tag end simultaneously to seat the wraps snugly against the eye. Trim the tag end close.
Pro Tips
- The double loop at the eye is the key — don't skip it
- Keep the double loop open while wrapping
- Wet generously before seating
- Pull both ends — not just the standing line — to ensure even seating
Common Mistakes
- Only threading through the eye once — that's just an improved clinch
- Letting the double loop collapse before threading the tag end through
- Too few wraps — use five or six
- Not wetting before tightening