Knot Making by Bill Cullerton

A grandson of one of the 47 founders of the Izaak Walton League and a teen-age professional fly-tier for that esteemed progenitor, "Smiling Bill" Jamison, Bill Cullerton has been fishing ever since he could walk. Now, as a leading "outdoorsman," and producer (as well as the star!) of more than 30 angling films, Bill travels in Seven League Boots, skipping all over the globe to master all forms of sportfishing.

Bill, a member of the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, has been active in the American fishing tackle industry for more than 30 years. During that time, he has become angling's most serious student of knots. He makes the telling point that although a knot might appear insignificant, it may be the determining factor between landing and losing a trophy fish. Whenever he meets a new fisherman, Bill always asks for two things: to hear his favorite shark story and to see his favorite knot. From that interest in all aspects of knotmaking has come the following story. It is by far the best your editors have ever seen. Read it and we're sure that you will agree.

Why Knot?

It happened like it does in the dozens of articles you've read in various magazines on tarpon fishing. Tom and I were floating quietly down the Parismina River. I was proud of the near-perfect cast I had placed next to the river bank. My Rapala had travelled barely a few feet when it stopped. From the dark depths of this brooding Costa Rican river came this silver torpedo exploding the surface water into a million fragmented diamond drops.

"Tarpon!" I cried. I wanted to make sure that Tom and our guide noticed the strike; after all, it had been a slow day. The fish reached the pinnacle of his leap and seemed to hang there, motionless, for an instant. I swear I thought he had looked me right in the eye, maybe had smiled a bit, though this would have been difficult since he had the big Rapala tightly clenched in his jaws. Then the tarpon turned on his afterburner and plunged back into the river. Suddenly, the fish seemed to be everywhere at once.

I reacted quickly (though Tom said it was at least 30 seconds later) by reeling furiously to take up the slack. There was a limpness now, as the walnut size knot I had used to tie the shock leader (100 lb. test mono) to the casting line hit the tip top of my rod and wouldn't fit through. At the end of the leader was the funniest curly-cue you have ever seen. I remember swearing that that tarpon must have had paws and somehow slipped the knot apart, as I was positive that I had tied the knot properly.

By now Tom, who had seen me blow more tarpon in a few days than a man is entitled to in a lifetime, decided that he should help me. My "string" had run out, so to speak, as I had gone through every knot I knew, including the "Figure 8" and the one I had used on my "tennies."

For the next few evenings it was knots, knots, and more knots. I found out that the "Bimini Twist" is not a native dance and that you don't need an M.D. to tie a Surgeon's Knot.

That Costa Rican trip and knot-tying session occurred a long time ago; since then knots have become a kind of hobby with me. You can use the very best rods, reels and lines, but if those knots are not tied properly, a big fish will have no difficulty securing his freedom. It seems ironic that sportsmen will travel to very expensive fishing lodges, buy the best gear, hire the most knowledgeable guides, only to blow that trophy fish simply because of an inefficient knot.

I've collected the following information on knots from many expert fishermen who took the time and patience to share their knowledge with me. The first thing I discovered is that very few knots are original; either a Greek fisherman used the knot 2,000 years ago, or an angler's brother-in-law has been tying the knot for years. So with apologies to inventors or originators of knots, I will identify them by their popular names.

I found out other things, too. Just because a knot is extremely difficult or complicated to tie doesn't mean it is the best knot (tougher is not always better). Also, knots can affect the action of a lure; in fact, some knots can actually "kill" the action. Finally, I have been working sport shows for more than 25 years; most of the people I talk to seem to be good casters, can retrieve a lure with pizzazz, and can fight fish effectively. But very few of these fishermen are experienced in, or confident at, tying knots.

Obviously, it will be impossible to "detail" all fishing knots, so I'll attempt to describe and recommend knots that will complement the Rapala.

Let's discuss the various uses of the knots illustrated here. For most of my Rapala fishing, I like to use a combination of the Palomar and Spider-Hitch Knots. I should explain that I almost always use a shock leader even in ultra-light fishing. Let's say I'm using 4 lb. test line. In most cases I'll probably use a few feet of 8 lb. test mono as a leader First, I'll double four, five, or more feet of the running line (in this case, the 4 lb. test) by using the Spider-Hitch Knot described below. Another knot, the Bimini Twist, is slightly stronger, but much more complicated to tie. I can attach the double line (4 lb. test) to about four or five feet of 8 lb. mono (the shock leader) by using the Surgeon's Knot. The lure then can be tied to the Rapala lure using the very efficient Palomar Knot.

There are several advantages to the above rigging and knots. First, they will slide through the rod guides with ease. Secondly, the shock leader will withstand any abrasion against rocks, and as we all know, many species of fish during a fight will often run the lure and leader against rocks in order to get rid of the plug. But most importantly, you can pressure the fish more efficiently toward the end of the fight and land it quickly, since the double line will already be partially in your reel, and thus, you can apply almost eight pounds (theoretically) of pressure instead of four.

The Uni-Knot, which has gained a good deal of fame recently, is one I often use with the floating Rapalas. These top-water plugs fish much better with a loop knot.

If you want a stronger and smoother knot between the leader and doubled running line, use the Stu Apte Improved Blood Knot instead of the Surgeon's Knot. It takes just a little longer and might seem more complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it is easy to tie. Nearly everyone knows the Improved Clinch Knot, which is far superior to the normal Clinch Knot.


When pulling a knot tight, be sure to moisten the knot with some saliva. The saliva will lubricate the mono, and you will get a much tighter knot. Remember that a knot that slips generally breaks (with the exception of the Uni-Knot).

Use a nail clipper to trim all knots. If you have pulled up your knot properly and tight, you need not be afraid of trimming it very close. When trimming mono, I always clip the ends at a 45 degree angle to the main line. This begins a taper that helps the knot slide through the guides.

Here's another tip that will help bigger knots pass through the guides more smoothly. Coat the knot with any good air-drying, waterproof glue, such as Pliobond. It is time consuming and takes some effort, but it is these "little things" that can mean the difference between success and failure just as you are about to land that trophy fish of a lifetime.

Experts like Stu Apte, "Lefty" Kreh, and others will tie a knot, check it, and test it. If it does not look right, they will break it and start from scratch. This is why these fishermen continually land the bigger fish and claim world records.

Think about it another way. An improperly tied knot can weaken a line by as much as 50%. This means if you are using a 4 lb. test line, it could be weakened to 2 lbs. The consistent trophy-takers have everything in their favor. If they are using a 4 lb. test line, by God, it will test very close to that, even the knots. Take the time to learn these knots. Try them before you go fishing, so that you can practically tie them with your eyes shut. I'll guarantee that you will bring in bigger fish and tell fewer stories "about the ones that got away."

BIMINI TWIST

This is used to make a loop or double line without excessively reducing the breaking strength of the line.

1. Double the end of the line forming a loop allowing extra line to work with. Put the loop around some stable object like a cleat or rod butt to keep the loop open. While keeping the line taut, make 20 tight twists in the lines.
   
   
   
2. Holding the twists tight, wind the end of the line over the twist until you reach the neck of the loop; keep these wraps tight and compact.
   
   
   
3. Make a half-hitch around one side of the loop; pull it tight.
   
   
   
4. Make another half-hitch around the other side of the loop; pull it tight.
   
   
   
5. To complete the Bimini Twist, make 3 half-hitches around the base of the loop, tighten it and clip off the excess line at the end.
   

BLOOD KNOT

The best knot we know for tying line to line when the diameters of the two are the same or nearly so. Makes a strong, small joint that slips through most rod guides easily.

1. Overlap the ends of the two lines for several inches. Hold at the middle of the overlap and twist one end around the other line five or more turns. Bring end back and through strands as shown.
   
   
   
2. Still holding the lines, turn other end around line the same number of turns in the opposite direction. Bring end back and pass between lines from opposite direction of first end.
   
   
   
   
3. Tighten by pulling up slowly on both lines. Clip off ends short, or tie the knot with one end long, to use as a dropper for two-hook fishing.

BRUBAKER LOOP KNOT

A new knot that gives lures a "free swinging" action. This non-slipping loop knot is simple to tie because it combines two well known knots, the simple overhand and the popular improved clinch.

1. Start by tying the overhand knot some 4 to 6 inches above the end of your line, running the tag end through the eye and then through the loop formed by the untightened overhand knot. The eye loop should represent the final loop you wish to leave for your Rapala. hold the loose knot and line at this point so the loop size will not change.
   
   
2. Next, using your free hand, make 5 turns of the tag end around the standing line and bring the end back through the loop of the overhand knot, which still hasn't been tightened. Be sure to make 5 turns to guarantee the strength of the knot.
   
   
3. After you've taken the tag end back up under the bend formed in tying the Improved Clinch (3), pull both the end and the standing line simultaneously, being careful to maintain the desired eye loop size. When you feel that the overhand knot has tightened completely, keep the standing line taut while you continue to pull on the tag end. Pull down into a neat barrel, with the coils gathered neatly. Do not nick the line with your fingernails!
   
   
4. Here is how the finished knot should appear when fully tightened and the end snipped off to 1/8 inch. The Brubaker Lure Loop Knot will give your Rapala free play and exaggerates the lure's life-like swimming action.

PALOMAR KNOT

A basic knot for tying on hooks, lures, swivels, etc. You may find it easier to tie than the Improved Clinch Knot. Properly tied it's just as strong.

1. Pass line through eye of hook and return through eye making a 3" or 4" loop as shown.
   
   
   
2. Hold line and hook eye with one hand and use other hand to tie a loose overhand knot in doubled line. Do not tighten.
   
   
   
3. Hold loose overhand knot and pull loop over hook, swivel or lure.
   
   
   
4. Pull on doubled line to draw knot up making sure loop does not hang up in hook eye or swivel. Pull both line ends to tighten. Clip off end about 1/8" from knot.
   

SPIDER HITCH

Creates a double line with the full strength of unknotted mono. Much easier to tie than the Binimi Twist.

1. Double-up length of line desired and form a loop. Hold loop between thumb and forefinger with thumb slightly extended past finger.
   
   
   
   
2. Wrap doubled line five or more times around thumb and loop so that wraps line evenly and parallel on your thumbnail.
   
   
   
   
3. Pass end of doubled line through loop and slowly draw wraps one at a time off thumb. Pull ends and doubled line alternately to tighten. Clip off excess.
   

STU APTE IMPROVED BLOOD KNOT

For typing a much heavier diameter line to thinner.

1. Double up the thinner line. Tie the same way as the
   Blood Knot treating doubled line as one.
   
   
   
   
2. Use five twists of doubled up thin line, but only
   three turns of the heavier line.
   

SURGEON'S KNOT

For tying a leader to a line end, where the diameters are unequal.

1. Overlap ends of lines for several inches. Tie a simpleoverhand knot treating both strands as one.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Pass the two strands through the loop again. Pull up tight.Trim ends. For greater strength, tie a "Double Surgeon's Knot"by passing the strands through the loop four times.

UNI KNOT

1. Run the line through the eye for at least 6 inches. Fold it back to form a double line and make a circle back toward the hook or lure with the tag end.
   
   
2. Make six turns with the tag end around the double line and through the circle. Holding the double line at the point where it passes through the eye, pull the tag end, as indicated by arrow, until the six turns are snugged into a tight barrel.
   
   
3. Now grasp the standing part of the line and pull (see arrow) to slide the knot up against the eye.
   
   
4. Continue to pull standing line until knot is tight. You can trim the tag end flush with the closest coil of the knot, because the Uni-Knot doesn't allow line slippage.
   
   To tie a small loop into the eye of a lure or fly, giving it free movement in the water, tie the same knot, up to the point where the turns are snugged up around the standing line.
   
   
5. Next, slide the knot toward the eye of the lure, by pulling on the standing line, until the size loop desired is reached. Use tacklebox pliers to hold the knot at this point, pulling the tag end to maximum tightness.
   
   Under normal casting and retrieving the loop will hold. Once a fish is hooked, the knot will slide tight against the eye for better security.

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