Tying saltwater knots can be an itimidating event for even the most experienced angler. After all there is a lot riding on the quality of your knots. A 100lb tarpon will blow up rig on the bite if everything is'nt seated properly and tied correctly.
Below I will show you you the only three knots you will ever need to know for saltwater fishing. You can conform them to meet any type or size leader requirments even IGFA (also stands for "It Got Fucking Away").
The first knot is a Double Over Hand Loop Knot. You will use this knot to create a loop to loop connection between your fly line and leader butt section. Every new fly line out there has a welded loop on the end of it. I have never seen one fail yet. So I always use the loop to loop connection here.
The next knot is a Two Turn Blood Knot. You will use this connection for your class tippet to Butt section and your class tippet to bight tippet in your tarpon leaders. It can also be used to taper down your leaders for anything you dont need a large bite tippet for. Such as Bonefish,Permit, Redfish Strippers, etc.
The final knot in your system is a No Name Loop Knot. It's fast easy to tie and very strong. I use this knot to tie on all my flies
The Double Over Hand Loop Knot
Double over the leader material making sure you give yourself plenty of tag end to sinch down the knot. Next make an overhand knot in the doubled line. Pass the loop end of the doubled line through the over hand knot twice , lubricate and sinch tight. Trim the tag end Thats it. With a little practice you can get the loop what ever size you like.
The Two Turn Blood Knot
Double over the thinner line once again making sure you give yourself plenty of extra to sinch down the knot when completed.
Now make 5 or 6 turns of the doubled line over the thicker line passing it back through the x or y you have created with the turns. ( just like a standard blood knot)
Hold the line at the y and now make 2 1/2 turns with the heavier line over the doubled thinner line once again passing it back through the hole youve created. A little tip I like to make sure I pass them through opposite each other. Lubricate and sinch tight making sure to have a good grip on the doubled line so it sinches down evenly. Inspect the wraps if any of them overlap each other the knot will fail. If it looks good carefully trim all the tag ends and you will end up with a very strong and beautiful knot.
The No Name Loop Knot
Tie an over hand Knot in the leader give yourself at least 6 inches of tag to work with.
Pass the tag end of the knot through the hook eye and then back through the over hand knot. Make 2 to 4 wraps depending on line diameter and then pass it pack through the over hand knot. Lubricate and sinch. If done correctly you should not have to sinch it further with the tag end. Trim the tag end and your done....Hint on larger diameter lines 2 wraps is all that is needed.
These are really the only knots I use in slatwater fishing. Keep it simple and you will have less breakoffs. I'll go into leader recipes another time.
