<em>By Aaron Derr</em>

A novice fisherman will hit the water armed only with the knowledge of an overhand knot. A real angler wouldn’t dare venture out with such a limited arsenal.
Different situations call for different knots. The knots needed for tying fishing line to a hook are different from the knots needed to join two sections of line together.

To be prepared for anything, learn these knots before you hit the water.
<h2>IMPROVED CLINCH KNOT</h2>
<h2><a href="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/improvedcinch.jpg" class="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-287" title="improved cinch" src="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/improvedcinch-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></h2>
(for tying line to a hook)
<ol>
	<li>Thread the line through the eye of the hook, then make 5 to 7 wraps around the line with the loose end.</li>
	<li>Thread the loose end of the line through the loop closest to the eye, then back around inside the loose section of line.</li>
	<li>Pull both ends of the line until tight.</li>
	<li>Trim the loose end of the line if necessary.</li>
</ol>
<h2>TURLE KNOT</h2>
<a href="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/turtle.jpg" class="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-291" title="turle knot" src="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/turtle-150x150.jpg" alt="turle knot" width="150" height="150" /></a>(for tying thin line to a small hook)
<ol>
	<li>Run the line through the eye of the hook, then tie a loose double overhand knot in the end of the line.</li>
	<li>Pass the open loop over the hook and tighten the whole thing so that the loop tightens around the eye.</li>
</ol>
<h2>BLOOD KNOT</h2>
<a href="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/blood.jpg" class="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-292" title="blood knot" src="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/blood-150x150.jpg" alt="blood knot" width="150" height="150" /></a>(for joining two sections of line together)
<ol>
	<li>Line up the ends of each line together for several inches, then wrap the first line around the second at least five times.</li>
	<li>Wrap the second around the first at least five times, and bring both loose ends back to the middle between the two lines.</li>
	<li>Pull tight on each line until the knot is snug.</li>
</ol>
<h2>PALOMAR KNOT</h2>
<a href="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/parla.png" class="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-293" title="palomar knot" src="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/parla-150x150.png" alt="palomar knot" width="150" height="150" /></a>(for tying line to a hook)
<ol>
	<li>Double your line to make a loop, then push the loop through the eye of your hook.</li>
	<li>Tie a loose overhand knot.</li>
	<li>Pass the loop around the end of the hook and pull on the line to tighten.</li>
</ol>
<h2>DOUBLE SURGEON'S LOOP</h2>
<a href="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/doubleSurgeon.png" class="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-295" title="doubleSurgeon" src="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/doubleSurgeon-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>(for forming a loop in the end of a line)
<ol>
	<li>Fold over the end of the line to make a double line, then tie a single overhand knot.</li>
	<li>Pass the loop through the hole in the overhand knot one more time.</li>
	<li>Moisten the knot and tighten.</li>
</ol>
<h2>WIRE LINE TO MONO KNOT</h2>
<a href="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/wireline.jpg" class="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-296" title="wireline" src="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/wireline-150x120.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="120" /></a>(for attaching wire line to monofilament)
<ol>
	<li>Fold four inches of wire line back over itself to form a bend at the end of the line.</li>
</ol>
<h2>TUCKED SHEET BEND</h2>
<a href="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/sheep.jpg" class="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-297" title="tucked sheet bend knot" src="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/sheep-150x63.jpg" alt="tucked sheet bend knot" width="150" height="63" /></a>(for attaching line to a leader loop, or snelled hook to the line)
<ol>
	<li>Pass the end of the line through the loop, then make a simple sheet bend knot.</li>
	<li>Pass the end of the line back through the loop of the sheet bend.</li>
	<li>Tighten until snug.</li>
</ol>
<h2>SNELLING A HOOK</h2>
<a href="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/snelling.jpg" class="lightbox"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-298" title="snelling a hook" src="http://www.coastalmariner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/snelling-150x144.jpg" alt="snelling a hook" width="150" height="144" /></a>(for attaching monofilament to a hook)
<ol>
	<li>Pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook twice, creating a loop that hangs alongside the hook.</li>
	<li>Wrap the loop around the hook, forming tight coils, 5 to 10 times.</li>
	<li>Holding the coils in place with one finger, pull the line up until the loop is snug under the coils.</li>
</ol>