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VIDEO DETAIL Knot Wars 2008 How to Tie the Best Fishing Knots by Steve Pennaz This season on North American Fisherman TV, Versus, we launch Knot Wars, a head-to-head competition to determine the best fishing knots for monofilament, super lines and the new flourocarbons. Tune in each week to to see how your favorite knots perform. Also, no matter what knot you tie, make sure to lubricate it with a bit of saliva before drawing it tight. The bit of lubrication is especially critical when fishing with flourocarbon lines. Here are the first 8 knots to be put to the test, including 3D instructions on how to tie each:         Round 1 ― Figure 8 v. Improved Clinch       Figure 8 Knot  One of the fastest knots to tie, the Figure 8 works best with braids, multi-strand wire lines and heavier mono. While the knot offers speedy lure changes, it is not the strongest knot available. Step 1: Bend the line back upon itself to form a loop. Step 2: Twist the loop over and around the line Step 3: Pass the end of the loop through the first loop to give the knot its figure eight appearance. Step 3: Tighten the knot and trim excess tag line.     Improved Clinch Knot  One of the most poplular knots there is; dependable, strong and super easy to tie. A solid choice for mono and flouros, not recommended for super lines. Step 1: Pull approximately six inches of line through the hook eye to provide ample slack. Step 2: While holding the hook securely in one hand, wrap the end line five times around the standing line. Step 3: Pull the end line  through the small loop near the hook eye and back through the large loop. Step 4: Tighten the knot and trim excess tag line.           Round 2 ― Improved Clinch v. Jansik Special         Jansik Special  A vitually unknown knot, but deserving of more attention, the Jansik Special is super easy to tie with a little practice and very strong; excellent knot for mono. Step 1: Pass the end line through the hook eye twice. Step 2: Take the end line back around again—as if to pull the line through the hook eye a third time. Step 3: Instead of pulling it through, wrap the standing line around the monofilament loops three times. Step 4: Pull the knot lightly until tight.       Round 3 ― Jansik Special v. Eye Crosser          Eye Crosser Knot  A strong knot that works well with super lines, mono and fourcarbons, and a favorite a number of southern bass anglers, the Eye Crosser knot is relatively unknown and that's too bad because it is a great knot. Step 1: Pass the end line through the hook eye two times, making sure to leave approximately eight inches. Step 2: Place the end line parallel to the standing line and then pinch both lines together with your fingers; approximately two inches from the hook eye. Step 3: Take the end line and wrap it around the parallel lines three times. Step 4: To tighten the knot, pull the standing line.         Round 4 ― Eye Crosser v. Duncan Loop (Uni Knot)         Duncan Loop (Uni Knot)  This is a very versatile knot, that's also strong and easy to tie. Many anglers turn to the Duncan Loop whe they want a loop connection for lures like jigs or crankbaits. The knot tightens during a fight with a fish, but can be easily reopend by the angler. Step 1: String approximately eight inches of line through the hook eye while making sure to keep the end line parallel to the standing line. Step 2: With the lines running parallel, take the end line and turn it down so that it wraps underneath the two parallel strands to make a loop. Wrap the end line over the two parallel lines and back through the loop. Step 3: Wrap the line around the two parallel lines (inside the loop) five times. To tighten the knot, pull the tag end and the standing part of the line         Round 5 ― Eye Crosser v. Palomar          Palomar  A simple knot to tie, even at night, and one of the best knots for all lines. Best tip for tying the Palamar is to pay special attention when drawing the knot down to ensure the knot snugs tight. Step 1: Form a loop with the end line and pass it through the hook eye. Step 2: Wrap the loop back and make an overhand knot around the standing line (make sure to make a large enough loop for the hook to pass through). Step 3: Pull the hook through the loop, and then pull the two ends to snug down the loop. Step 4: To tighten, pull the standing line. Trim excess tag line.           Round 6 ― Palomar v. Trilene          Trilene Knot  Developed by the folks at Berkley for use with thei monofilments, the Trilene Knot offers true 100% break strength with mono, and is easy to tie. Not the a good choice for super lines, however. Step 1: Pass the end line through the eye two times. Step 2: Wrap the end line around the standing line five or six times. Step 3: Thread the end through the first loop beside the eye. Step 4: Pull the knot tight and trim the excess tag line.           Round 7 ― Palomar v. World's Fair        World's Fair Knot  Unveiled at the 1982 Knoxville World's Fair by Gary Martin of Indiana, the World's Fair knot is a bit complicated to tie, but a super knots for monos and fluoros. Step 1: Take six inches of line, double it, and pass it through the hook eye. Step 2: Put the loop on top of the doubled line and grab hold of the doubled line through the loop. Step 3: Take the standing line and pull it through the new loop created by the double line. Step 4: Wrap the standing line back around through the new loop created in step 3. Step 5: Pull the standing line tight and slide the knot to the hook eye. Trim excess tag line.     Here are the line-to-line knots to be put to the test, including 3D instructions on how to tie each:     Round 8 ― Leader v. Fisherman's Bend          Leader Knot  When tying two monofilament lines together, the leader knot is an efficient knot that some experts find easier to tie than the Blood Knot. Step 1: With two lines parallel to each other, wrap the end of one strand around the other strand three times; hold the thumb and forefinger at the point where the two lines first intersect. Step 2: Wrap the remaining end line around both lines and pull it through all three loops. Step 3: Next take the other line and wrap it around both strands three times; pull the remaining line through all three loops. Step 4: At this point, two identical loop clusters will be separated by the parallel strands of line. Use your fingernail to slowly push the loops together to tighten the knot.     Fisherman’s Bend Knot  Despite its tying difficulty, the Fisherman’s Bend Knot is a great knot for tying two lines of similar diameter together. Step 1: Overlap the two lines. Wrap one end around both strands two times. Step 2: Pass the end back through the loops and pull tight. Step 3: Wrap the other end around both strands two times. Pass the end back through the loops and pull tight. Step 3: Pull on both lines to tighten the two knots against each other.       Round 9 ― Leader v. Barrel          Barrel Knot  The Barrel Knot is compact, feeds through the rod guides with ease, and is quite strong, making it one of the best knots for joining two similar diameter lines together. Yet because the knot is difficult to tie, make sure to practice with heavy monofilament or fly line which will make the knot easier to form. Step 1: Cross both lines to make an “X,” leaving about 8 inches of overlap. Step 2: Wrap one end of around the standing part of the other strand five times and pass the end to the other side of the “X” formed by the intersection of the two lines. Step 3: Pinch the line, and with your other hand, wrap the free end around the standing strand in the opposite direction five times. Pass this end through the same loops as the first end, but go through the loop in the opposite direction. Step 4: Lubricate and hold both ends together while pulling on the standing parts to tighten. Don’t put any pressure on the short ends while tightening. Step 5: Trim tag ends as close to the knot as possible.           Round 10 ― Leader v. Surgeon          Surgeon’s Knot  Also known as the Double Water Knot and Joiner Knot, the Surgeon’s Knot is considered one of the best knots for combining two lines of varying diameters together. Primarily used by light-tackle anglers, the Surgeon’s Knot should be carefully tied and tightened at all ends evenly. Step 1: Lay out the leader parallel to the line, letting the end of the line and the end of the leader overlap for six to eight inches. Step 2: Tie a simple overhand knot in the double section, making sure that both the short end (line) and long end (leader) are pulled completely through. Do not tighten the knot at this point. Step 3: Go through the same end a second time with both strands exactly as before. Make sure both ends are pulled through. Step 4: Draw the knot tight by gripping both strand on either side of the knot. Draw down with steady pressure. Trim the tag ends flush with the wraps.           Round 11 ― Leader v. Uni to Uni          Uni to Uni Knot  The Uni to Uni Knot is a versatile and durable knot that connects two fishing lines together. The knot can secure lines of light or heavy test, light lines to heavy ones, or doubled lines to shock tippets. Step 1: Overlap the ends of two lines for about six inches. Form a circle with the line end of one strand and cross the two lines midway. Step 2: Wrap the line around the two lines four times and pull the tag end through the loop. Step 3: Pull the tag line end tight to secure the wraps around the standing line. Step 4: Repeat Step 2 and Step 3 with the opposite line end. Pull the knots together tightly. Step 5: Pull the standing lines in opposite directions to move the knots together. Trim the tag ends.           Round 12 ― Uni to Uni v. Wolf          Wolf Knot  Often called the Wolf Spice, the Wolf Knot originated in Europe and has been the knot of choice for European anglers for years.  Step 1: With two lines parallel to each other, take the end of one line and wrap it under and around both lines. Step 2: Take the remaining line and wrap it around the loop two times. Step 3: Perform Step 1 and Step 2 on other line, creating loops on each strand. Step 4: Slowly pull the short ends to tighten. After, pull the end lines of both strands to move the wraps together. Trim the tag ends.           Round 13 ― Uni to Uni v. Blood          Blood Knot  The Blood Knot—great for all fishermen—is especially valuable to fly fisherman who primarily use it to join nylon strands when making tapered leaders. While the knot’s only shortcoming is that the two nylon strands must be nearly equal in diameter, when tied properly, the knot won’t pull loose no matter how close its ends are clipped.  Step 1: Cross two lines, and then wrap one end three times around the other. Step 2: Take the line end and pull it through the loop formed by the two lines. Step 3: Take the other line and wrap it around the first line three times. Step 4: Pull the line through the loop created at the opposite side. Step 5: Slowly pull on both long ends of the line and clip the excess tag line.