Most lost fish are lost at a knot, and most knot failures come from tying too many different knots badly rather than a few well.
These five cover braid-to-leader, leader-to-lure, hook attachment, loop presentation and dropper rigs — effectively every situation in Australian fishing.
Braid to leader: the FG knot
The FG is the strongest, slimmest braid-to-leader connection available and passes through guides without catching. It relies on braid biting into the leader under tension rather than on bulk.
Keep the braid under firm tension the entire time you lay the wraps. A loose FG will slip under load, which is why anglers who dislike it usually tied it slack.
Finish with at least ten half-hitches alternating direction, then a three-turn locking hitch, and trim the leader tag close.
Leader to lure: the loop knot
A non-slip loop (also called a lefty's loop) lets hard-bodies and jig heads swing freely, which noticeably improves action on suspending lures and small plastics.
Tie an overhand knot, pass the tag through the hook eye and back through the overhand, wrap the standing line four times, then back through the overhand and tighten slowly with the loop size you want.
Use a loop for lures and a snug knot for bait rigs.
Hooks and terminals: the uni knot
The uni knot attaches hooks, swivels and rings, and doubles as a line-to-line join. Five or six turns for mono and fluorocarbon; seven or eight for braid direct to terminal.
Always wet the knot before drawing it tight. Friction heat is the main cause of premature knot failure in fluorocarbon.
Droppers and quick joins
The dropper loop builds paternoster rigs for surf and reef fishing. Twist a loop eight to ten turns, push the middle of the twist through the centre opening, and pull tight to form a standing loop.
The double uni is the fastest reliable line-to-line join when you need to replace a leader in fading light and cannot see well enough for an FG.
Re-tie your leader knot after every serious fish and at least every hour of hard fishing near structure.
Key takeaways
- ▸Five knots cover every Australian fishing situation.
- ▸Keep tension on the FG or it will slip.
- ▸Loop knots for lures, snug knots for bait.
- ▸Always wet knots before tightening, and re-tie often.
This guide is general information only. Fishing regulations differ by state and change regularly — confirm current rules with your fisheries authority before you fish.