While all fisherman know how to tie a knot, I feel it is often an overlooked aspect to bass fishing. We like to focus on the newest rods, reels, and baits only to quickly tie a knot without a second thought. Earlier this year I struggled with losing fish due to knot failures. This sent me on a trial and error journey to discovering new knots to use to help myself land more of the fish that I get to bite. Here are the two knots I tie the most as they cover nearly every situation I face on the water.

Braid Mainline to Leader; Alberto Knot

With all the rave lately surrounding the “FG” knot, I wanted to find a joining knot that was easier to tie yet remained strong and compact. The Alberto Knot is really the perfect knot. It has remained the strongest option I have used, it is fairly quick and easy to tie, and it is compact enough to come through your rod guides with ease.

1. Make a loop with your leader material. Be sure to leave enough tag end to work with. It’s always good to have more than you need.
2. Feed your braid mainline through the bottom of the loop, pulling several inches of tag end through and parallel to the leader.
3. Wrap the mainline up and around the two strands of leader 8 times.
4. Wrap the mainline back down and around the two strands of leader 8 times, working back toward the loop.
5. Feed mainline back through the top of the loop.
6. Cinch slowly, and tight, while keeping everything nice and neat.
7. Trim tags as close to the knot as you can to allow it to come through reels guides smoothly.

All-Purpose Knot; San Diego Jam Knot

When I’m tying on any lure to any type of line, I am using the San Diego Jam Knot. The only exception to this is when I am flipping with a straight shank hook, I use a Snell Knot (look for this next week!). The San Diego Jam Knot is by far the easiest and strongest knot that I have found.

1. Thread the tag end of your line through the eye of your bait/hook.
2. Double up the line, parallel to each other, leaving 5-6” between your bait and where you are holding the line.
3. Wrap tag end around doubled portion of line 7-8 times (7 for heavy fluorocarbon; 8 for anything else).
4. Feed tag end through the top loop.
5. Wet line, cinch tight.
6. Trim tag end leaving 1/16^th to 1/8^th inch remaining.

With these two knots I am confident that I can land any fish that bites, and also know that if I don’t land the fish it was NOT due to a bad knot. Give them a try and let us know how they work for you! Be sure to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and on YouTube for regular content!