How to tie the improved clinch knot (fishermans knot)

The fisherman's knot or improved clinch knot is one of the easiest knots to tie, and usually the first one that a new angler learns. It slips once in a while though, so most anglers start searching for other knots after losing a couple of fish and/or lures. Check out our other knot-tying videos to learn better fishing knots.
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Learn to tie a double Uni knot • How to Tie the Double ...
Learn to tie a modified Uni knot (best for braid) • The best fishing knot ...
Learn to tie a Trilene knot • How to tie the Trilene...
Learn to tie a San Diego Jam Knot • Tie a San Diego Jam Kn...
Testing the improved clinch vs. Uni vs. Palomar knot • Video
#fishingknots
#improvedclinchknot
#bassfishing

[@stevencaldwell838]

The only knot I’ve used for over 40 years of fresh and saltwater fishing…. It’s never failed me!

[@FishingwithNat]

It's tried and true.

[@thecluelessoutdoorsman916]

Same. Been using it my whole life. This for nylon line, palomar for braid, rapala loop for jigs and Shakey heads.

[@FishingwithNat]

@@thecluelessoutdoorsman916 Sounds good!

[@KyloXsogi]

It’s been 30 years since I last tied this knot… and my line finally snapped and I forgot how to do it. Thank you for sharing this

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CalebNehring]

Great knot for monofilament and fluorocarbon lines. However, very bad for braid. I learned that the hard way by losing some big fish. Best knot for braid is the palomar.

[@FishingwithNat]

Yes, I would recommend the Palomar or modified Uni for braided lines. Palomar knot: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3-WiHSEhJpro5Y Modified Uni: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3rEiXhvnt9_sNE

[@markntexas8265]

Palamor and uni

[@dyingmeme6814]

I’ve snapped hooks in half before the improved clinch broke free on braid.

[@moncorp1]

uni for braid

[@damnthatscrazy25]

if i have a braided line with a fluorocarbon leader should i do the palomar or clinch?

[@ThomasDitsch]

Excellent info, tied it right the first attempt. Also thanks for the brevity, some guys would have turned this into a 15 minute production.

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks. No need to make the video longer than necessary to demonstrate a simple knot.

Most videos are like: What is a knot? History of knots. Why would you want to tie a knot? What is fishing? History of fishing. Why would you want to fish? 30 minutes later...here's how to tie an improved cinch knot.

[@ZavierArcher-iv9wk]

I’m new to fishing, and this helped out a lot. Thanks

[@FishingwithNat]

Wonderful

[@Dragapulls]

Definitely my favorite knot tutorial on youtube. Thank you

[@FishingwithNat]

Great - thanks!

[@benjaminfrate2627]

Finally a good tutorial

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks - glad you liked it

[@LaneGreenwood-l4r]

Dude I was so excited when I finally did it thank you for the easy learning

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad to help!

[@cliffordgallegos6155]

Your ability to easily explain and execute the task is perfect.

[@FishingwithNat]

Thank you - I appreciate it

[@paigehalseywarren]

Great tutorial! I haven’t fished before (yet) but this helped me fix the lure for my cat’s Pet Caster toy perfectly! Thank you!

[@FishingwithNat]

Perfect - it's good for more than just fishing! :)

[@Seagull313]

Thank you for the tip! I lost a crankbait to a bad knot I made luckily; I got it back in 5 minutes floating in the water there was a giant 5 lbs. bass on the end. Hopefully this doesn't happen again thanks to you.

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for sharing - good luck fishing!

[@Seagull313]

@@FishingwithNat Thank you

[@fishing4life76]

This knot never fails me! Caught a lot of salmon with this knot.

[@FishingwithNat]

It's a tried and true knot, used for decades and still favored by a lot of anglers.

[@squaretops1]

Landed a huge Pollock with this knot.I couldnt let the fish have line to keep him off the bottom.Once the fish tired eventually i managed to lift it out of the water about 5 ft and onto the rocks.It was the fish of my life i was so happy my tackle and knots held out.Great knot this.

[@reviewsbyyou7231]

Looking to catch some snakehead tommorow gonna try this knot out with my frog!

[@FishingwithNat]

Cool

[@binguette]

Thank you SO MUCH. I know this video is two years old, but this really, really helps.

[@FishingwithNat]

Awesome - glad it was helpful to you!

[@Quick-Silver206]

This one and the hangman's noose have never let me and my dad down :)

[@FishingwithNat]

It's a great knot. One time I do not use it though is with heavy mono/fluoro lines, or thin braided lines. It doesn't like to cinch down tight with thick lines, and thin braid can slip right out.

[@Doinkz4sale]

My dad taught me this when I was a kid only knot I have ever used. Never has this thing failed me where like a charm

[@FishingwithNat]

It's a solid knot

[@CodyOutlaw-c9r]

i am new to fishing and this video was simple and taught me a very useful know thanks

[@FishingwithNat]

Great - thanks for the comment

[@alonzocates4742]

Hmm really reminds me of the uni knot I can barely tell the difference once it’s tired but this looks easier to tie ima try this!

[@FishingwithNat]

They are both good knots that are easy to tie. The Uni or double Uni works better with thicker lines.

[@felipeduenas2968]

oh ok i didnt how to that knot now i know to do it thank u

[@FishingwithNat]

You're welcome - glad it was helpful to you

[@Allyourbase1990]

Man this is exactly what I needed ! Thank u

[@FishingwithNat]

Great - thanks for the comment.

[@GodzillaGuy-uy9ii]

this video was helpful

[@FishingwithNat]

Great!

[@River_on_paws-g2u]

Thank You I never knew how to do it thanks again Thank You

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad it was helpful!

[@djtanikgotbeatz]

Love it thanks you have th easiest videos ❤❤❤❤

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for the comment

[@atomato0556]

Omg I had it so close to the actual not just by looking at other people doing it. I can finally catch more then trout and carp now 😂 thank you. Is there a video on river fishing because I live next to the Colorado river and I don’t really know what kind of water to look for

[@FishingwithNat]

A video on how to fish a river is on my list to hopefully get done this summer yet.

[@atomato0556]

I just realized I spelled knot wrong. I’m looking foreword to that video!

[@lobibalom5855]

Greatly explained...easy to learn...But which knot is best for mono line for (cat fish/wallagu attu)?thank you..plz reply...from india

[@FishingwithNat]

Take a look at our latest video on the best knots. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXqVoqtqh513na8 Mono line works well with a lot of different knots. Braided line is where you need special knots that don't slip. For that I'd recommend the modified Uni knot or Trilene knot, and you might want to pass the line through the eye of the hook/lure three times or do 8-10 wraps if you are using lightweight braided line.

[@lobibalom5855]

Thanks...and what is your best knot for mono? Reply

[@FishingwithNat]

The Trilene knot kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4KcpHaOhrN6g6s

[@PositiveDailyImpact]

Great knot. For that lure would you rather use this knot or a loop knot? Just curious

[@FishingwithNat]

The fisherman's knot is better for frogs, or I also like using Uni knots for frogs. Loop knots are not great for frogs because they will grab onto plants/duckweed/algae in the water.

[@leemoua6592]

Nice maybe top water for bass fishing

[@FishingwithNat]

It works well on topwater baits and many others

[@genisis53]

Thanks for the video! Sorry helpful

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad it was helpful!

[@WrakMiinga]

Great video, simply explained!

[@FishingwithNat]

Thank you - I appreciate it.

[@TacoBuildsOnRust]

Would this work on Normal hooks? it’s one of the easiest linings I’ve ever done

[@FishingwithNat]

Yes, it works on any type of hook or lure. It is not the best choice when you start to get into thick monofilament/fluorocarbon lines over 12lb or so. The knot doesn't like to cinch down on thick lines so a Trilene, Palomar, or Uni are better choices in that case.

[@Mcflapphypants]

The only thing I do differently is using the line and pushing the two pieces together and rolling them over each other to get like 7 rotations in one motion lets me tie a line really fast, but I guess I've neevr tried lubing the line before, probably why mine snaps a lot lol. I did make one knot that was so good, it bent the hook on a treble straight when it was stuck on a rock, and I was just yoinking at it for a good 5 mins, finally came loose and the treble was 2 curves and one straight hook and no barb left. This same lure after I re adjusted the treble also broke my pole, and still stayed on the line after getting stuck in another rock 2 casts later lol

[@FishingwithNat]

That sounds like a perfect knot - well done!

[@Karakal-]

Thank you so much

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad it could help you out!

[@cristianserban4632]

Does this work on texile wire or only on nylon

[@FishingwithNat]

This knot does not work well with wire or any type of stiff, heavy lines. It's best with mono or fluoro 10lb and under. It's ok with braided lines but the modified Uni or the Trilene knot would be better options.

[@GotHooked24]

Would you recommend this knot for fluorocarbon line 15lb?

[@FishingwithNat]

It has a hard time with thick fluoro or mono lines. It doesn't cinch down tight. I'd recommend a Trilene, Palomar, or Uni knot instead for those thick lines.

[@GotHooked24]

@@FishingwithNat thank you so much for your response, I’ve actually been practicing the trilene knot today and have already learned the uni knot. I’m extremely new to fishing but the few times I’ve been out there I’ve enjoyed it so much and it’s something I’m definitely going to continue to do. I’ve been enjoying your videos since I got into fishing about a month ago and they are absolutely great, thank you!

[@FishingwithNat]

@@GotHooked24 Excellent - thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it.

[@moncorp1]

If I'm going to use a clinch knot, I only use the improved. I've tried just the plain clinch knot and had it come undone a couple of times. Never had an improved clinch come undone.

[@FishingwithNat]

I agree.

[@ethanlundquist4189]

People say this doesn’t work on braid, ive gone both fresh and salt with it and it hasn’t slipped once on braid

[@FishingwithNat]

It works ok with heavier braids, but tends to slip with lightweight braids.

[@raulisrael7342]

would this work on a spinnerbait

[@FishingwithNat]

Yes

[@SinaSadri-sm7iz]

Isnt this the san diego jam knot though?

[@FishingwithNat]

Nope, that's a different knot. Here's a quick video on how to tie that knot: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5qum4eAdsuHbZY

[@Town47]

I just tied this yesterday onto frog

[@FishingwithNat]

Perfect. It's a good knot for frogs.

[@SuperBayarea87]

Thanks

[@FishingwithNat]

You're welcome!

[@user-po7iv4ni3o]

The regular clinch knot is really not even a viable option in my limited experience. I've been throwing my lures on with Palomar knots recently, but giving this one a shot next time 👍

[@FishingwithNat]

I agree.

[@2amKlozical]

Is this knot good for topwater lures?

[@FishingwithNat]

Yes, but if you're using a heavier mono/fluoro leader with your topwaters, try the Uni knot or modified Uni knot. That one works better with thick mono/fluoro lines.

[@I-AgreeWithYou]

I thought you’re not supposed to ever pull the tag when tightening any knot?? Is this false information?

[@FishingwithNat]

Some knots differ on whether you should pull the tag or the main line to tighten them. With something like a Uni knot, it's best to leave the knot slightly loose while you pull on the main line to send the knot down to the lure. It will then tighten itself up. If you pulled hard on the tag before that, it would create much more friction along the line as the knot slid down to the lure.

[@matthoon3737]

I’ve honestly never had an issue with any knot when fishing. As long as you pull it tight before snipping the extra line they all should hold pretty well

[@FishingwithNat]

With some types of line like 8lb monofilament, just about any knot is totally fine. The best knot for the job can change if you're using really thick line or really thin braided lines.

[@matthoon3737]

@@FishingwithNat good to know. I normally stick with the clinch knot. Easiest one to tie in my opinion and it’s never failed me. Even the regular knot

[@turinreza]

Trilene knot?

[@FishingwithNat]

Here's a video on the Trilene knot kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4KcpHaOhrN6g6s

[@Andy-ih5el]

This knot failed me Three times

[@FishingwithNat]

It's been a reliable knot for me but if I'm using heavy monofilament or fluorocarbon line, I usually go with a Uni or modified Uni.

[@tylerparsons]

Than you’re doing something wrong - I use this knot almost exclusively and no issues

[@markburnstein5546]

5" lost! It's a waste, to me 👋

[@FishingwithNat]

There is a bit of waste after tying any new knot. I don't like wasting things either, but do keep in mind that the last few inches of your line are likely to have the majority of the nicks and abrasions from bumping structure or fish teeth. If your line breaks because of a weak spot in the line, you could be wasting a lure and a bunch of line, and possibly harming a fish too.

[@markburnstein5546]

Ok bud, that makes sense to me. 👌

[@benjaminfrate2627]

Line is cheap who cares