How to tie the Improved Clinch Knot (and when NOT to use it!)

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This video will teach you how to tie possibly one of the easiest and best fishing knot for beginners, the Improved Clinch Knot (as a bonus, we will also go over when NOT to use this knot!) This is one of the most widely used fishing knots which is fast to tie and can be used to catch anything from trout, perch, salmon, red snapper, tuna, mackerel... basically anything you catch with a hook can be caught using this knot! It doesn't get easier. Subscribe for more knots and tips, and thanks for watching!
Quick disclaimer: This is but one of many methods to successfully tie this knot, and it happens to be the best one I have found! I hope it works equally well for you, but if it doesn't, or if you have found something else that works better, I encourage you to stick to what works for you! I would always recommend practicing the knots and testing their strength yourself to ensure you are comfortable with how they work, and to avoid flinging lures into the ocean on a failed knot (ask me how I know!). Knots take practice, so make sure you're comfortable with whatever you're tying prior to trusting it with your gear! If you have any questions about the knot, please post them below and I will do my best to answer them. I hope this is helpful, and tight lines!

[@grahamwhatmough3339]

been fishing for 45 years now , and finding these knots brilliant ,so you can teach an old dog new tricks!!

[@JustTheLip]

So glad they’ve been helpful!! Thanks for watching!!

[@timtelemark907]

Thanks for the very clear instructions in all your videos. You do an easy and clean job of what I have been doing for years in a hit-and-miss way. Thanks again. Tim

[@JustTheLip]

Hey Tim, thank you so much for the kind words! I really appreciate it, and I'm glad the videos are helpful. My whole goal is to create educational content that's produced well enough to be easy to understand and learn from. Thank you for watching, and for the comment!

[@dellboyrodney8046]

​@JustTheLip just found your channel I'm in Ireland this is the knot I have been using since I began fishing most of my fishing is float fishing for perch trout and roach but use a different knot to tie my lures on for pike fishing. Thanks for the very clear and educational information in your videos.

[@ronaldworthington5426]

I have tied this both ways. But instead of twisting the hook, I put my finger thru and rotate my finger and the hook. This creates a big loop once U pull Ur finger out to put the tag end back thru. It works well (and it's faster) if U are putting more twists in Ur line. Thx for the great info! I like learning new knots

[@JustTheLip]

That makes sense! Thanks for sharing, and for watching! Feel free to subscribe to see more good knots! 🤙😁

[@roncadenhead9650]

Thanks for showing this and other knots. I like the way you show it and explain what and why you are doing each step. I'll be searching your site and I am sure I will find the one I need - Braid to flurocarbon. I need easy and fast if possible for 20 lb braid to 8 - 10 lb fluro. Have a great time!

[@JustTheLip]

Thank you very much for the kind words! It looks like you found the video, I'm very glad I could help! Thanks a lot for watching and commenting!

[@jhondoe233]

That is the first knot I learned growing up. 🎣

[@JustTheLip]

Same here! I think for that reason I’ve probably tied it more than any other knots 🪢 thank you for watching!

[@travisfox5034]

I was taught the second method when i was 7 years old. I've used it ever since with no problems man. Just takes practice to tie.

[@JustTheLip]

Thank you for sharing, I appreciate that! 🤙 I’m glad it works well for you, and thank you for watching!

[@CuddlyBarkxo]

My father taught me the hook spin version and I use it for everything to this day. sinkers, swivels and of course hooks I love it and never ever had an issue with it for a decade so far 👍

[@mikesullivan7153]

Always been my go to!

[@JustTheLip]

You have to love it! Thanks for watching!

[@alfadanhighperformanceoutb8416]

That's my go to knot, I use this knot for all my hooks and use the loop knot for action lures and live bait.

[@JustTheLip]

Heck yeah man. It’s a great knot, I still use it a lot as well. 🤙

[@Cherokeeseeker]

Very nice video. Thanks

[@JustTheLip]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching!

[@denmitchell1453]

have been using this knot for many, many years. have developed a double cinch for very light 3x to 7x slippery, fluoro line. Just run the the tag end thru twice and cinch down. It will never slip if cinched properly.

[@JustTheLip]

Glad it has worked so well for you! Thank you for watching!

[@anthonycarmichael4086]

Great finally

[@Cc21Mace]

dang, been tying this wrong! thx 😊

[@JustTheLip]

Absolutely! Glad to help! 🤙

[@benjaminfranklinkivettiv9433]

Great videos. Im left hande and for some reason i have difficulty learning knots. Knot here😎ty

[@JustTheLip]

Awesome man, I’m glad they were helpful!! 🤙🤙

[@randyeggleston7138]

I used this knot since I was a kid until 25 years ago I learned of the Davy knot, it’s actually quicker and easier. I’m not bagging on the clinch or improved clinched knot, it’s a great knot, easy to for kids to learn and strong. Thanks for the video.

[@JustTheLip]

I will check out the Davy knot! Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

[@bruceaurand32]

I always do 2 loops of the tag end in the eye and then proceed as usual but of course running that tag end through both of those small loops. I am sure that this increases the strength of the connection to the eye.

[@JustTheLip]

I have seen this before and I think that's a great idea when you're using braid! If you're using heavier mono/flouro line, I'm not sure I would do so, but otherwise I agree! It should only make it better!

[@zackmccormick5845]

I use this knot almost exclusively, but my last couple of knots have come loose and I lost tackle on the cast. I need to try another knot with a similar simplistic tying method.

[@JustTheLip]

I have some suggestions for you! For strength, I really like the Uni Knot: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6nYk6ewps2Li6M The Palomar Knot is also very strong and pretty easy too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIqXi3-qqqxmnMk Let me know if either of these work for you!

[@markwells8631]

@zackmccormick5845 the pitzen knot is another similar knot i use, especially, tying on flies using light tipet or leader, 2-4 lb. Ive used it with 8 lb up to 17 lb with no problems. There's a double pitzen for more strength or when using braid. When tying braid to terminal tackle it pays to always double the line to prevent slippage and there's a whole big discussion on the internet about which knot is best for each type line, mono, flourocarbon, and braid. Good luck and keep on fishing my friend.

[@jodiebristow3210]

I'm really new to fishing and am curious why you wet your knot? I've watched several videos today, but yours is the only one that's commented to wet the knot before synching the knot closed. Is this to help it glide, or does it help lock it in or something else? The little lake I'll be fishing is mostly trout and catfish if that matters.🤷‍♀️

[@davidgc4396]

I put the tag end through the eye of the hook twice then five wraps then line back through the two loops.

[@aaronag7876]

Thank you for sharing. I have always struggled with knots and have lost loads of hooks because I didnt do it correctly. Question - What knot would you recommend for a rope attaching to a magnetic hook ? I've picked up a cheap magnetic, to have a go at magnetic fishing but they supplied a D-clip which I dont trust holding onto the eye of the magnetic hoop. Thanks

[@JustTheLip]

Hey Aaron, thanks for watching and for commenting! I have a few knots in mind, but before I suggest one, what size rope are we talking about?

[@aaronag7876]

@@JustTheLip the rope is Quarter of an inch or 6mm thick and doing a Google search for "findmag fishing magnets" will show you what I have. Look for the cheapest one with orange rope lol

[@JustTheLip]

Sorry for the delay! Assuming the rope isn’t too stiff, I think a uni knot would work well for you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6nYk6ewps2Li6M

[@tmoot6615]

Learned the "big loop" version, but being the smart ass kid, I was...figured I could just do the twist. What should have taken a small amount of time, usually ended up going an extra bit due to the small loop. Damn near spent more time tying, than fishing

[@JustTheLip]

Haha yeah, doing it that way has never worked as well for me... glad I'm not alone 😅

[@Fishing-Kayak]

That's about the only knot I ever used

[@Ja8888]

This seems quite similar to the uni knot. Would you recommend one over the other? I would like to start using either this or the uni rather than regular clinch knot for tying flies

[@JustTheLip]

They are both great knots, but between the two I would probably recommend the uni knot. I believe most tests show it’s just a little stronger. Thank you for the question 🙏🤙

[@Ja8888]

appreciate the tip!! @@JustTheLip

[@1REDRoCKER1]

There is a better version where you wrap around going back down toward the hook. Then back up through the loop. It’s called the SAN DIEGO JAM!

[@JustTheLip]

I’ll check it out! Thank you!

[@k9er233]

The 'hook-twist' method is also problematic when tying on a large plug like a jerkbait with ganged trebles.

[@Gothic169]

Hi pain enders ik you'll be here

[@JustTheLip]

No idea what this means but I’m here for it!

[@happycat0411]

Clinch knot works almost just as well but it's that final step that many times isn't really worth the trouble doing. I'm just to damn lazy to do that one extra step.

[@JustTheLip]

Agreed, the clinch knot is definitely still a great knot! After a certain number of reps tying the improved, I don’t even think about that extra step anymore, but it does take a second longer for sure. Thanks for the comment!

[@grahamwhatmough3339]

i am looking for a way to tie feathers to a hook for mackerel , any ideas?

[@JustTheLip]

I used to tie my own sabikis for spanish makerel, and typically I would use thread base and then wrap the feathers/tinsel several times and finish it with glue. It wasn’t always the most delicate presentation, but it caught fish!!

[@user-ox5ho2vi2d]

I use the first method

[@JustTheLip]

Good to know! Thank you for the feedback!

[@arypma]

allright, now do it with 3 pound nylon and a 16 size hook!

[@JustTheLip]

Haha definitely a little tougher, but it’s still surprisingly doable with some practice! But yeah, point taken 😂 thanks for watching!

[@markwells8631]

@arypma you must be a fly fisherman to be using a size 16 hook. Tying flies to a tipet has been a challenge to me. Especially, the smaller sizes, 16, 18, 20, or 22. Heck a size 10 or 12 is a struggle with my poor eyesight. I have found the pitzen knot is easier for me to tie. Its also called the 16-20 knot, comes from fly fishermen catching, landing a 20 lb trout on a size 16 fly. I'll try to find the video that helped me the most and post it here. The cool thing about it is when you cinch it down, it'll pop, so you know its tied correctly and secure. Its one of the 100% knots, which basically means the line breaks before the knot. You may not find it easier, but its worth a try. There's a boat load of fishing knots, hopefully you can find one that works best for you. Good luck and keep on fishing.

[@rumcoke9123]

Wish I watched this yday. I tied this on 40 lb leader and when I tossed the paddle tail...bye bye! lol

[@ImReelySuqi]

If it's hot enough out, you can lube the line with sweat

[@JustTheLip]

True! Anything should work, as long as it's wet!

[@paullowell3342]

I don’t go through the second loop. Just 6-7 wraps and go through the first loop and that’s it. I used to go through the second loop but on really small line it was coming loose. Anyone else?

[@JustTheLip]

What you're describing is the clinch knot! The "improved" version of the knot is going through the second loop. Both are great knots!

[@vizilange4611]

OOOPS- if you put the tag end through the loop wrong, you wind up with a GRANNY knot. The difference is, the tag end has to be next to the eye of hook, NOT at the top end of the knot.

[@JustTheLip]

That's great to know--thank you!

[@boomersdelightvv7201]

I use the one you don’t like, I just adjust my process

[@JustTheLip]

Hey, if it works for you, keep at it! No reason to change it up if you’re having good luck already! 🤙

[@garysumlin8355]

Definitely not the best knot sorry

[@JustTheLip]

There are definitely lots of great knots! Which one do you think is the best?

[@tzackaria7]

hey hotshot, if ya know the best knot let's hear it

[@johnnycastro9796]

So what is the best knot then??