Using the best knot for the situation might be the reason you land rather than lose that monster fish. The right knot is what knotting is all about—and why there are so many to choose from. It’s why great anglers know and regularly use a half dozen or more.

Understanding how different lines react to knotting yields a clearer idea of the best knot for each situation. Monofilament stretches and gives, allowing line to grip itself and prevent slippage. These qualities make mono (and fluorocarbon) vulnerable to friction burns when cinching knots dry. Braided superlines neither stretch nor contract, providing a rock-solid connection, yet they’re susceptible to slippage should the wrong knot be applied.

Another overlooked consideration is the number of wraps tied into knots. Too many wraps may cause excess friction, letting the line play against the knot until it breaks. Too few might mean line slippage or knot failure. It’s wise to learn a few methods of joining line to line and how to snell a hook—remembering to also moisten lines before tightening knots to prevent knot damage, and to tightly cinch down each knot from both the tag and mainline ends.