How To Tie The Clinch Knot [Step-By-Step Pictures & Video Tutorial]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Knots, Fishing Tips, Terminal Knot (Snug)
The Clinch Knot
One of the most common and useful fishing knots to know is the Clinch Knot.
The Clinch Knot is a classic terminal connection knot and generally one of the first knots that every fisherman learns.
It’s a snug terminal knot that can be used for inshore fishing and fly fishing.
It’s best when used with mono and fluorocarbon fishing lines.
This is a good knot to know because:
- It’s simple
- Easy to tie
- Quick to learn
In this article, I show you the step-by-step process to tie the Clinch Knot and provide a video tutorial on how to tie this knot.
How To Tie The Clinch Knot
In this section, I show you the step-by-step process of tying the Clinch Knot. For this application, we are using fluorocarbon line and attaching it to a plug.
Step 1: Thread The Line Through The Eye Of The Hook
Thread four inches of the tag end of your fishing line through the eye of the hook. Pinch the tag end and mainline above the eye of the hook.
Step 2: Make Five Wraps Around The Mainline With Tag End
Make five wraps up and around the mainline with your tag end. Make sure all your wraps go consistently in the same direction. This will create a loop just above the hook eye.
Step 3: Put The Tag End Through The Loop Above The Hook Eye
Put the tag end through the loop above the hook eye that you created in Step 2.
Step 4: Hold The Tag End And Mainline And Pull Them Tight
Hold the tag end in one hand and the mainline in the other and pull them both tight in opposite directions. This should cause your knot to coil just above the hook eye.
Step 5: Release The Tag End And Pull The Mainline Tight
Release the tag end and wet the knot with water or spit. Pull the mainline tight so that knot continues to coil correctly.
Step 6: Cut The Tag End
Cut the tag end with scissors. Your Clinch Knot is complete.
Go To Our Knot Testing Homepage [Full Knot Rankings]
How To Tie The Clinch Knot Video Tutorial
In this video, I show you the entire process on how to tie the Clinch Knot.
Go To Our Knot Testing Homepage [Full Knot Rankings]
Conclusion
The Clinch Knot is a good and simple knot to know.
It’s quick and is a great first knot to teach to kids or other fishermen just getting started.
It’s definitely not the strongest knot for terminal snug connections and we suggest you use a different knot like the Orvis Knot if you’re serious about fishing.
If you want to see the full knot rankings list, then check out our guide to the strongest fishing knots of all time.
If you have any questions or comments about this knot, let us know in the comments section below.
Tight Lines!
Go To Our Knot Testing Homepage [Full Knot Rankings]
Related Posts:
1. How to Tie the Orvis Knot [Including Strength Test Results]
2. Palomar Knot: How To Tie The Palomar Knot [Fluoro & Braid Adjustments]
3. How To Tie The Uni Knot With Braid & Fluoro [Free PDF Cheat Sheet]
Then you’ve got to see this private fishing club! Here’s what you’ll receive today:Do You Want To Quickly Find New Fishing Spots In Your Area?
Click here to join today.
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I noticed you didn’t concern yourself with the up or down side when going through the loop. Actually, you went contrary to your other knot types. Does it make a difference with this knot? Thank you
Sounds simple. Going to give it a whirl.
Anybody aware of any authoritative tests comparing clinch to improved clinch for mono?
Here’s a test of the Clinch vs. Imp Clinch vs. Trilene for both mono and fluoro: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/clinch-knot-vs-trilene-knot/
Can you possibly do a test with the improved clinch knot but go thru the eye of the hook twice and only 1 wrap? I use that knot its like a modified trilene / improved clinch knot for mono and flouro connections.
Very well explained perfect
I tie an improved clinch knot that I’ve tested on a pull test to 95% strength but you do need to be careful not to wrap around the main line.
I would be interested to see how a double clinch knot would work, simply double the tag end and tie a regular clinch knot. I’ve used this knot and is stronger than a regular clinch knot but I don’t know how much stronger it is. I learned this one from my brother.
Luke,
Have you ever tried this knot? https://youtu.be/3mKLbGNSvaU
used it this last Friday to catch a 33″ red down at Joe Island….15 min fight….no slippage
There are a variety of knots shown in this video. Which one are you referring to?
Luke I notice a eye ring on your bait when should we use eye ring and what type of lure.
If using a lure, I recommend using a loop knot or an eye ring to be connected to the lure so that it can get maximized motion in the water. I personally prefer using loop knots (no eye rings), but some lures come with the eye rings and I don’t think it matters enough to go through the effort to take them off, so I’ll simply just tie a snug knot onto it like shown in this video.