Introduction: Fishing With an Improved Clinch Knot
These instructions will show you how to tie an improved clinch knot used for fishing purposes. I was taught this knot as soon as I was old enough to learn how to tie my shoes. It is simple and easy to complete. This knot is particularly useful because of its durability. If tied correctly this knot will never come untied. It is designed to pull itself tighter as the fish pulls harder. While using this knot I have lost fish due to line failure but never knot failure. To complete this knot you will need a few basic items.
1. A fishing pole strung with the line of your choosing
2. A fishing lure of your choosing
3. Any type of instrument to cut you're line
Warning: Be careful not to hook yourself while tying this knot. If you happen to hook yourself do not pull the hook out! Fishing hooks are equipped with barbs at their point that will likely damage your hand further. To remove the hook you will want to push the hook back up through the skin past the barb. Using wire cutters cut the point of the hook with the barb on it. Once this is done you can back the hook out the way it came without further damaging your hand.
1. A fishing pole strung with the line of your choosing
2. A fishing lure of your choosing
3. Any type of instrument to cut you're line
Warning: Be careful not to hook yourself while tying this knot. If you happen to hook yourself do not pull the hook out! Fishing hooks are equipped with barbs at their point that will likely damage your hand further. To remove the hook you will want to push the hook back up through the skin past the barb. Using wire cutters cut the point of the hook with the barb on it. Once this is done you can back the hook out the way it came without further damaging your hand.
Step 1: Thread the Lure
Your first step is to thread the lure of your choosing. Most fishing lures have an eye hole at the top of them that you will thread your line through. Other types of lures like spinner baits will require you to tie them at a specific point on the lure. For the purpose of these instructions I am using a standard fishing hook.
Step 2: Starting Position
Once you have threaded the lure pull the line through the eye hole about eight inches in length. Using your thumb and index finger pinch the opened end of the line to its base. Using your other hand pinch the lure being careful not to hook yourself.
Step 3: Twist the Lure
While holding the line in the position in step 2, twist the lure. Once again be careful not to hook yourself with the lure.
Step 4: Twist Seven Times
Continue to twist the lure until you have twisted the line seven times around. Make sure to keep hold of both the line and the lure at all times so the line does not untwist itself.
Step 5: Loop at the Eye Hole
Once you have twisted the line seven times you should notice a loop at the eye hole of the lure. If the loop is not big enough that you can not easily thread the opened end of the line through it, simply let go of the lure and let it untwist. Pull more line through the eye hole and re-twist the line.
Step 6: Thread the Loop
The next step can be a little tricky. Thread the opened end of the line through the loop you have just made at the top of the eye hole. I will typically wrap the twisted part of my line around a couple fingers to keep the twist tight so that it does not come unraveled.
Step 7: Pull the Opened End Through the Loop
Once you have threaded the line through the loop pinch the opened end of the line with your thumb and index finger. Hold the lure down with your ring finger. Now pull both hands apart so the knot slides down to the eye hole.
Step 8: Pull the Knot Tight
Once the knot reaches the eye hole you can release the hook. Pull the opened end of the line and the opposing end as you did in step 7 but pull it as tight as you can. The twisted line should pull closer and closer to the eye hole. Once you have pulled the knot tight it should look similar to the knot in the photo.
Step 9: Cut the Excess Line
Using a cutting instrument of your choice cut the excess line on the opened end. I will typically leave about a half an inch of line remaining on the end so there is a little room for the knot to slip as the fish pulls.
Warning: Use extreme caution when using a sharp cutting utensil such as this. Always cut the line away from your body! I am holding the knife in this manner simple to demonstrate the cutting of the line. If I were actually out in the field I would be holding the knife facing side ways(sharpened edge facing away) and cutting the line out and away from my body.
Warning: Use extreme caution when using a sharp cutting utensil such as this. Always cut the line away from your body! I am holding the knife in this manner simple to demonstrate the cutting of the line. If I were actually out in the field I would be holding the knife facing side ways(sharpened edge facing away) and cutting the line out and away from my body.
Step 10: Finished Product
Once you have cut the excess line you are ready to fish. The finished product should look similar to the knot in the photo. Once again the knot is designed to pull tighter the harder the fish pulls. Now you have a knot durable enough to fish for anything you wish.