Knowing how to properly tie braided fishing line will make the difference between the fish on your line getting away, or a successful catch. Braided lines are often the choice of anglers because they cast further than mono lines.
They also don’t stretch, which means it’s easier for the hook to catch in the mouths of fish.
The problem with braided lines is that they don’t tend to hold knots as well as mono lines, because they’re too slippery. When tying braided fishing line, you’ll need to know some specific strong knots.
The most popular knots used with braided lines include the double palomar knot, the San Diego jam knot, the Berkley braid knot, the Alberto knot, the Albright knot, and the modified uni knot. Most of these knots are quite tricky to master.
Read on to find out how to tie them, as well as everything else you might need to know about tying braided fishing lines.
When Should You Be Tying Braided Line Knots?
Braided line is most useful for freshwater fishing or for inshore saltwater fishing. There are a number of benefits to using braided line; they can be cast farther, you can have more line on your reel because the diameter of braided line is smaller, and there’s very little stretch.
Knots to Tie with Braided Line
So, now that we know when we should be using braided line, how do you actually tie it? There are a number of knots ideal for braided lines, and most of them are quite complicated, but can be mastered with a little practice.
How to Tie a San Diego Jam Knot
To tie braided line with a San Diego jam knot, you’ll first need to pass the line through the eye of the hook (or swivel, or lure).
Next, wrap the tag end (the shorter end of the line) six times around the double line before passing the tag end through the double line, and then passing it through the first wrap.
Pull it to tighten and adjust the knot. Then simply trim the tag end, and you’ll have yourself a completed San Diego jam knot.
How to Tie a Berkley Braid Knot
For a Berkley braid knot, first fold the end of the line over. This should give you around five to six inches of double line, and the double line should make a loop.
Next, squeeze the end of the loop so it forms a point, and thread the end of the loop through the eye of the hook.
Wrap your loop around the tag end, as well as the mainline. Do this eight times in total, starting from the top and progressing towards the eye of the hook.
Thread your double line loop between the eye of the hook and the coils. The next step will be to wet the line, before pulling it tight and trimming the loop.
You should be left with about a quarter of an inch of line for the knot to rest on.
How to Tie an Albright Knot
For an Albright knot, you’ll first want to wrap the line around the spool. You can do this either one time or two times.
Next, tie an overhand knot over the mainline, using the tag end. Then tie a second overhand knot above the first one, also in the tag end.
Pull the mainline through the first overhand knot you tied, towards the spool. Jam the first overhand knot against the second overhand knot, and, finally, trim the tag end.
How to Tie a Modified Uni Knot
The modified uni knot is most ideal when it comes to fly fishing, or sea fishing. To tie a modified uni knot, you should first be threading the line through the eye of the hook.
Next, thread the tag end through the eye again- this is necessary because braided line is so much slippier than mono line.
Pull your tag end until you’ve got around six to eight inches that you can use. Position your line so the tag end is parallel to the mainline.
Next, fold the tag end in half so that the end of it is pointing at the hook. The hook should be at your left hand side at this stage. Pull the tag end over the mainline in order to make a loop.
The tag end should be crossing itself, as well as crossing the mainline.
Pinch both lines together at the intersection of the loop, at which point the tag end should be facing upwards.
Wrap the tag end around the loop (the top of the loop, specifically). Do this at least eight times- 10 at most. Then, push the tag end through the loop, and bring it back up to pass once more through the loop.
Repeat this eight to 10 times. Pull on the tag end and the mainline to tighten and adjust. Don’t stop pulling until you feel a decent amount of resistance.
Once you do feel resistance, the next step is wetting the line. Then you’ll be pulling the mainline in order to move the knot closer to the hook. Trim the tag end of the line, and then you’ll have yourself a modified uni knot.
How to Tie a Double Palomar Knot
To tie a double palomar knot, first double your line and push the bight (the part of the line you’re using for the loop) of the line through the eye of the hook.
Next you should be laying the tag end of the line across the mainline, and making two overhand knots in the loop.
Pass the loop over the hook, and pull it towards the eye to adjust and tighten. Trim the tag end if it’s too long.
How to Tie an Alberto Knot
First form a loop at the end of the line, and pass the tag end through this loop. Make seven wraps up the leader loop, and then seven down the leader loop.
Next, pass the tag end through the loop, and pull each line in order to tighten the knot.
At this stage you might need to push your braid with your fingertips. Finally, pull the main line and the leader loop, and if there’s too much of the tag end remaining, trim it.
Conclusion: How to Tie Braided Fishing Line
Now you know how to tie all of the most popular knots for braided fishing line, you should be well on your way to success when it comes to inshore saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing.
Bear in mind that all of the knots listed can be quite difficult to master.
If you find yourself struggling, that’s completely normal. With a bit of practice, you’ll get there.
