The 5 Best Fishing Knots Every Aussie Angler Should Know | Tackle Discount Australia

The 5 Best Fishing Knots Every Aussie Angler Should Know | Tackle Discount Australia

🎣 The 5 Best Fishing Knots Every Aussie Angler Should Know (and When to Use Them)

If you’ve fished anywhere along the Aussie coastline — from the red cliffs of Kalbarri to the mangroves up north — you’ve probably lost a lure or two to a bad knot. We’ve all been there. You finally hook into a solid barra or a big bluebone… and snap — goodbye lure, goodbye fish, goodbye dignity.

Truth is, the right knot can be the difference between landing your PB and going home empty-handed. So, whether you’re a weekend fisho or living life on the road chasing tides and sunrises, here are the five knots every Australian angler should have in their arsenal — plus when to use them.

🪢 1. The Uni Knot – The True All-Rounder

If you only ever learn one knot, make it the Uni Knot. It’s strong, simple, and works for pretty much everything — from tying hooks to connecting lures and swivels.

I still remember learning this one from an old bloke at the jetty in Geraldton. He called it the “lazy man’s knot” — because it’s fast, but tough as nails when tied right.

  • When to Use It: Perfect for mono and fluoro. For braid, just add a few extra wraps.
  • How to Tie It: Run the tag end through the hook eye and double it back along the main line. Form a loop, wrap it 6–8 times, wet, and tighten.

✅ Best for: Hooks, swivels, and terminal tackle setups.

🔗 2. The FG Knot – The King of Braid-to-Leader Connections

This is the holy grail of joining knots for anyone running braid and leader — thin, super strong, and slides through your guides like butter.

It can feel fiddly at first (especially on a windy beach), but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to those chunky double-uni joins again.

I learned mine sitting in a swag under the stars near Exmouth, trying to tie it by headlamp. Took me 20 minutes the first time… now I can do it in under two.

  • When to Use It: Every time you connect your braid mainline to a fluoro or mono leader.
  • Quick Steps: Alternate braid wraps over the leader 16–20 times, tighten, finish with half hitches, and trim neatly.

✅ Best for: Braid-to-leader setups — perfect for long casting.

🪶 3. The Non-Slip Loop Knot – For Lures That Need Action

Ever notice how some lures swim better when they’ve got freedom to move? That’s where the Non-Slip Loop Knot shines.

I use this one for hardbodies and topwater lures when I’m chasing jacks or barra around snags. It gives your lure that little bit of extra dance in the water — deadly in clear shallows.

  • When to Use It: Any lure where natural action matters — hardbodies, poppers, or surface walkers.
  • Quick Steps: Tie an overhand, pass through eye, wrap 4–5 times, feed back, wet, and tighten slowly.

✅ Best for: Lures that need free movement.

🧵 4. The Improved Clinch Knot – The Old Faithful

Every Aussie angler’s first knot. It’s been around forever — and for good reason. It’s reliable, quick to tie, and does the job for lighter setups.

When I’m rigging small hooks for whiting or herring off the beach, this is my go-to. Just remember to wet it before pulling tight — dry mono can burn and weaken.

  • When to Use It: Light tackle, bait rigs, and quick re-ties on the water.
  • Quick Steps: Twist 5–7 times, pass back through loops, moisten, and tighten.

✅ Best for: Quick hook ties with mono/fluoro.

🪝 5. The Palomar Knot – Simple, Strong, and Perfect for Braid

This one’s short, sweet, and nearly impossible to mess up. It’s particularly good with braid, which can slip on other knots.

I use it for heavier setups — when I’m tying onto a swivel or jighead before dropping down on a reef. It’s fast, and it holds.

  • When to Use It: Anytime you need a bomb-proof knot in a hurry.
  • Quick Steps: Double your line, pass through eye, tie an overhand, pass lure through loop, and tighten evenly.

✅ Best for: Braid, swivels, and heavy tackle.

🧭 Which Knot to Use (Quick Guide)

Scenario Best Knot
Braid to leader FG Knot
Mono to hook/swivel Uni Knot
Lures needing movement Loop Knot
Quick mono/fluoro hook tie Improved Clinch
Braid terminal Palomar

💬 Final Thoughts

Every angler has their own “lucky knot,” but if you can master these five, you’re sorted for just about every situation in Australian waters.

Take the time to practice them at home — not on the rocks at sunset with a southerly blowing and your mates yelling. Once they’re in muscle memory, you’ll tie them fast and confidently on the water.

And don’t forget — lubricate every knot before pulling tight, and never trim the tag too close. It’s the difference between landing a 90cm barra… or just having a story about “the one that got away.”

🧰 Gear Up and Get It Right


Tight lines and solid knots — from one Aussie fisho to another. 🇦🇺

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