If you’re new to fishing and want to learn one basic fishing knot to start with, my recommendation is to learn how to tie the uni knot. The uni knot is a good multi-purpose fishing knot that can be used for attaching the fishing line to the arbor or spool of a reel, for joining two lines together, and for attaching hooks, lures, snaps, and swivels to your line.

When you need to replace the fishing line on your reel, you can also use the uni knot to secure your line to the arbor of the reel (use several yards of monfilament as reel backing when spooling with braided line to prevent the line from slipping).

How to Tie a Uni Knot

All you have to do is follow five easy steps to learn how to tie a uni knot. Once you practice this knot a few times, you’ll be able to tie it quickly and confidently.

1. Run the fishing line around the spool of your fishing reel, through the eye of your hook, or through the split ring on your lure, and then double back to bring the tag end parallel to the standing line.
2. Make a loop by laying the tag end over the doubled line.
3. Make 6 turns with the tag end around the doubled line and through the loop.
4. Moisten the lines and pull the tag end to tighten up the turns.
5. Slide the knot down.

That’s it — the uni knot is super easy. Once you learn how to tie this knot, you can practice tying one or two new fishing knots to use with certain types of rigs or with different types of fishing line.