Skill drill
How to Tie a Uni Knot
A versatile knot for tying line to a hook, lure or swivel: double the line back, lay a loop over it, and wrap six turns through the loop before sliding it down to the eye.
6 steps, about 3 minutes
Tie it in 3D one decision at a time. Choose wrong and you will watch the knot fail.
When to use it
Tying line to a hook, lure or swivel when you want one knot for most jobs. Take Me Fishing calls it one of the most versatile knots to learn, good with monofilament, fluorocarbon and braid.
The steps
- Double it back
- Make the loop
- Make the turns
- Wet it
- Snug it and slide it down
- Trim the tag
A drill is practice. Tie each knot a few times at home before you fish with it, and retie any knot that looks wrong.
The written guide
Step by step
- 1
Double it back
Pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook, then double it back so the tag end runs parallel to the standing line.[1, 2, 5]
The turns go round both of these lines at once. That doubled section is what the knot grips.
- 2
Make the loop
Bring the tag end back toward the hook, laying it over the doubled line so it makes a loop.[1, 2, 6]
Every turn in the next step goes through this loop. Pulling the tag end later shrinks it, and that is what locks the turns.
- 3
Make the turns
Wrap the tag end 6 times round both lines of the doubled section, passing through the loop on every turn, then bring the tag end out of the loop.[1, 2, 5, 6]
The guides agree on the shape: turns round the doubled line and through the loop. Take Me Fishing says 5 or 6 turns; Utah, New York and Berkley say 6.
- 4
Wet it
Wet the knot with water or saliva before you tighten it.[1, 2, 3, 6]
Moisture helps the turns slide down and seat, and cuts the friction heat that can weaken the line.
- 5
Snug it and slide it down
Pull to close the turns up snug, then pull the standing line so the knot slides down the doubled section until it sits against the eye.[1, 2, 4, 5]
A uni is tied a little way up the line and finished by sliding it home. Every guide ends with the knot pulled down to the eye.
- 6
Trim the tag
Trim the tag end. With the uni a short stub is fine.[1, 4, 5]
A long tag end catches weeds. Take Me Fishing says not to be afraid to cut it short on this knot: it will hold.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
Turns that miss the loop
Each turn goes round both lines of the doubled section and through the loop. That is the knot.[1, 2, 5]
Too few turns
The guides call for 5 or 6 turns. Tie the knot they describe.[1, 2, 5]
Tightening it dry
Wet the knot before you pull it tight. Friction heat can weaken the line.[2, 3]
Leaving it up the line
Finish by pulling the standing line until the knot slides down against the eye.[1, 2, 5]
Watch & learn
Uni knot on video
Picked from our video library. These are other creators' videos, so where one differs from the drill, the drill's sourced steps are the ones to follow.
The ONLY Knot You’ll Ever Need? | How to Tie the Uni Knot
Local Knowledge Fishing Show
0The Only Fishing Knot You Need - The Uni Knot
Dieter Melhorn Fishing
0Fishing Knots - How to tie a Uni Knot. One of the best fishing knots.
The How To Channel
0
Keep practicing
Other knots
Start hereImproved clinchThe standard knot for tying fishing line to a hook, lure or swivel: five turns round the line, a tuck by the eye, and a second tuck back through the big loop.7 steps
Technique 2PalomarA strong, simple knot tied in a doubled line: push a loop of line through the eye, tie an overhand knot in it, and pass the loop over the hook.6 steps
Technique 4Double uniJoins two lines: overlap the ends, tie a uni knot with each tag end round both lines, then pull the standing lines apart so the two knots slide together.6 steps
Technique 5Surgeon's loopA quick, strong fixed loop in the end of a line or leader: double the end back and tie a double overhand knot with both strands.6 steps
Learn it hands-on
Nothing beats a day on the water with someone who ties these all day long. Browse fishing guides near you and ask for a lesson.
Find fishing guidesSources
Where the checkable claims above come from. Rules and figures change, so confirm anything you are about to rely on against the source itself.
- Knot Tying (I FISH NY lesson plan)New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (extapps.dec.ny.gov)
- Learn to fish: tying the knotUtah Division of Wildlife Resources (wildlife.utah.gov)
- Tying better knotsOregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (myodfw.com)
- Best Fishing KnotsTake Me Fishing (Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation) (takemefishing.org)
- Uni KnotTake Me Fishing (Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation) (takemefishing.org)
- Fishing knots 101Berkley (Pure Fishing) (berkley-fishing.com)
