So You've Decided To Learn How To Tie A Fish Hook

Serious fishermen have all known the heart sinking sensation of successfully battling a prize fish close to the surface, only to see their hard work dart away through the blue waters after their tie has snapped. It is usually at this moment the vow is made to learn how to tie a fish hook.
 
Knot strength is the do or die of successfully landing a fish. The lack of knot strength in purchased snelled hooks is often the motivation behind a fisherman’s decision to tie their own knots. 
 
There are many different knot types with which to experiment once you have decided to try your hand at tying fish hooks. Each type of knot may also have several variations making it unique to its type. Many fishermen have devised their own tie, and probably could not relate the steps they use to perfect the tie, since they have done it so many times it becomes an automatic response.  The key to accurately learning how to tie a fish hook is practice, practice and more practice. Choose from one to several types of knots that you feel comfortable working with, and then perfect your style until each knot emerges a masterpiece. 

Some of the popular knots that are used often are:
Loop, Clinch, Jansik, Palomar, hangman, Uni knot, Surgeon knot, turle or turtle knot  

Begin with the simpler knots, the Loop and the Jansik, to maintain your confidence and turn out good hooks. Knowing the type of fish you are angling for will be helpful in determining which knots you need to learn, and therefore dictating the type of line you will be using.

To accurately learn to tie each knot, a visual aid is extremely helpful. It is most useful to actually see the knot being tied right in front of you in order to replicate the steps.  There are several ways to do this that are inexpensive and bring immediate results. There are instructional videos available, many free of charge videos available on line, that demonstrate step by step instructions on the particular knot you are attempting. Instructional DVDs are on the market, with the advantage of having many examples of various knots on hand for viewing and practicing. Another advantage to DVD instruction is that the teaching will be displayed on your own television, offering much more visual appeal. Also, many sports stores offer instructional classes that are hands on that can bring an additional benefit in that you can purchase materials there to take home for practice.

Learning how to tie a fish hook will be a craft that may very well become an addiction; definitely it will be a lifelong hobby once you have mastered your preferred knots. With the advantage of quality equipment coming from your own hands and expertise, fishing will become even more of a challenge and a passion as you discover how hand-tied hooks bring more satisfaction and more fish into your fishing experience.