Fishing Knots and Rigs
By Team OEX Pro Staff Member Brian "Cowboy" Long
Everybody’s got their favorite knot.  We’ve compiled a few of the most popular among kayak
fishermen, so try ‘em out and see what you think.  We’ve also put together some of the basic
rigs you’ll be using when kayak fishing around southern California.

Knots to Know:

Mono to hook (or weight or swivel):

San Diego Jam- excellent knot with high breaking strength.  Great for anything from tuna
to bay bass.
Thread line through eye of hook
Pinch with fingers and double back toward eye
of hook
Wrap line 6-8 times toward eye of hook and
thread through original loop.
Thread through doubled back loop
Pull tag end tight and slide knot down to eye of
hook by pulling the mainline.  Pull tag end and
mainline to ensure a tight cinch.  Cut tag end.  
Make sure no coils are overlapping eachother
and are in a perfect spiral.
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Trilene Knot - a favorite of some of our pro-staffers, this knot has two connections
around the hook which both hold pressure.  Good choice for lures or split rings that may
damage the mono connection.
Thread line through eye of hook.  Double back
and thread through again.
Wrap away from hook 6-8 times
Thread tag end through both original loops.
Pull tight, be sure that no wraps are
overlapping eachother.
Rapala Knot - can’t afford those nifty ringed hooks?  Learn this knot and save those
pennies for the next tournament entry fee.  


Tie loose overhand knot and thread
tag end through eye of hook


Thread tag end through overhand
knot


Wrap around main line 4-6 times

Thread tag end through overhand
knot

Thread tag end back through
doubled back loop



Pull tight
Improved Clinch - the old standby.  One of the most popular knots, easy to tie and
has a decent breaking strength.

Thread line through eye of hook.  
Wrap 6-8 times.  
Thread tag end through original loop.  
Thread tag end back through doubled back
loop.
Mono (or fluorocarbon) to Spectra

Uni to Uni - great knot when tied properly.  The small size allows the connection to
be reeled through the guides.  Be sure to re-tie this connection every so often, as the
guides can cause chaffing especially on the spectra side of the connection.
Pinch both lines in fingers and make a
loop with one line.
Wrap looped line around both lines, away
from tag end of unused line.
Cinch tight
Repeat with other line.
Wet line and pull both mainlines until the
two knots butt against eachother.
Cut tag ends as close as possible.
CONTINUE ARTICLE - See the basic rigs for Southern California Fishing
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