How to Tie the Orvis Knot [Including Strength Test Results]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Knots, Fishing Tips, Terminal Knot (Snug)
The ‘Orvis Knot’ has been one of my personal favorite knots over the past 20+ years for connecting a leader line to a hook and/or swivel.
I like it because it’s a very easy knot to tie, it’s very small, and it has a shockingly high breaking strength.
This is a knot that I learned many years ago and I just assumed that it’s primary benefit was simply how easy and quick this knot is to tie.
But after doing a lot of structured knot strength experiments, I have been shocked at how strong is relative to many other popular knots (strength details below).
How to Tie the Orvis Knot
The Orvis knot can be tied following these super easy steps. They are shown below in a list, and there is a video below that will help you see exactly how it is all done.
5 Steps To Tie The Orvis Knot
- Thread tag end through eye of lure/hook
- Twist tag end behind mainline to form a loop
- Thread tag end through the loop you just formed (which forms another loop)
- Thread tag end through this 2nd loop two times
- Pull the knot tight
Here’s a quick video showing how to tie the Orvis Knot. As you’ll see, it leaves its tag end pointed away from the rod so it’s the most weedless of the knots used in this contest.
Conclusion
When you use leaders with a higher breaking strength than the main line, the knots used to connect leaders to a hook, swivel, or lure do not necessarily have to be the absolute strongest knot for that particular type of connection.
You just need one that is stronger than the breaking strength of the connection to your lighter mainline.
Be sure to consider it’s ease of tying along with its ability to not snag onto weeds or floating debris because a small piece of debris that gets caught on the tag end can completely ruin your chance of getting strikes.
Leave a comment below if you have any questions about the Orvis Knot.
Otherwise, click the link below to see the full listing of knots I’ve tested so far sorted based on their tested strengths.
Fish On!
Go To Our Knot Testing Homepage [Full Knot Rankings]
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I see this knot discussed mostly among fly fishermen. Is it a useful knot for all fishing categories?
Yes, this is an excellent knot for any mono/fluoro lines due to it being super easy to tie and strong.
Great instruction.
Please let me know your thoughts on this scenario:
MedHvy Fast Action rod.
5000 spinning reel. Bridge/Pier/Dock.
Target snapper grouper.
15# braid main. FG knot to 3 feet 20# mono leader.
(Two options with or without egg sinker-bead.)
Surgeon knot leader to 6 inches 30/40# mono for abrasion resistance.
Cinch or Orvis knot to hook…
Size 4/0 circle with moraja or pilchard
or cut bait
Size 2 j hook with live shrimp. Or weedless with bullet weight.
Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you.
How long’s the rod?
Have you ever tied this knot with braid? I have been experimenting with this knot and have been tying it with two modifications for braid. Through the eye twice and four wraps on the last loop. Wonder if you could test this? It is still quicker than many knots.
As much as I like the Orvis knot, I don’t trust it for braid because it’s so small. The braid Uni knot will definitely be stronger while taking about the same amount of time once you add in the needed amount of coils.
Good stuff and easy to use. One related question. I’m up in age with some vision issues. What’s the down side to using clips on hard baits? It’s very tough for me to tie on baits while out on the water. Thanks!
The clips can pull the line down towards the hooks which can increase the odds of the hook getting tangled in the line.
Otherwise, the clips shouldn’t be an issue.
Should you cut and re-tie your not after a certain number of catches, if you are catching alot.
Yes, it’s smart to check the knot and line near the knot after catches. If any frays, then re-tie.
What happens if you only go once around the last loop?
The knot won’t be as strong
Do you know where the nail knot that Capt. Hubbard teaches falls into this category?
The nail knot is definitely stronger. I just go with this one because it’s much quicker/easier for me to tie, and I am always using a much stronger leader than my mainline so there’s no need to worry about having the strongest possible knot to connect to a hook/lure (the weak point will be the line to leader knot either way).
If you tie the Orvis knot correctly, before you snip the tag end- if you pull on the tag end, will the knot loosen?
The Orvis knot is a slip knot, so it will shift up the line if the tag end is pulled with enough force (but the knot itself will remain intact)
Well that is good to hear. I’ve tied it so many times I thought I could only do it wrong. Thank you for answering. I appreciate it very much.
I have mastered these two knots loop knot Orvis note . But FG still hit1 outa 4 tries , paddle tale baits are catching all the fish on my Lovesick Northern Lake in the Kawartha, 2 hours from home in Toronto Canada. Have catch a 38” musky on a 4” dark paddle tale plastic lure, so far walleye, sunfish crappie large mouth and small mouth Bass and rock bass. One lure caught 6 fish before I changed it out. They are called Rhythm Wave from China, www. Jackall lures.com.
They make my Temple Fork rod pulse . Using Owner Twist Lock 1/4 ounce hocks. They go deep ,in weeds ,on top of weeds. .
Winter fishing in Englewood hope to be a hit for this 3.8” paddle tales just sail through cut grass most of the time. In 2 to 20’ of water. I just does care for Z Man plastic ,just too hard to get on the screw twist lock
Best Regards alway Luke
JohnMartin
416-550-1661
I love the Orvis Knot because it is so easy to tie. Since I will be using braided line at times I have practiced tying this knot just by doubling the line, and it is just as easy as tying with the single line. The rule is to double the line? Instead of running through the eye of the hook twice I double the line. Any problems with this idea?
The Orvis knot is a great knot. But even with the doubled line, it’s not as strong as this version of the Uni knot (https://saltstrongdev.wpengine.com/articles/modified-uni-knot-for-braid/). And since I’m often using a lighter braid relative to my leader, the connection of my braid is my #1 concern for maximizing the breaking strength, so I only use this “braid uni knot” for my braid to swivel connections:
Thank you very, very much for your reply. And thanks for doing the strength tests. Your braid-uni knot will be the go-to knot for attaching hooks, swivels, and such to my braided line from now on. Awesome!!! ????
My pleasure!