Arbor Knot

• Most often used to attach fishing line to a fishing reel, this simple, easy-to-learn knot helps reel the line on its pulley. Specifically designed for re-spooling different types of fishing reels, it is important to learn because every fishing rig that has a rod and reel uses this knot to replace new line in the fishing reel.
  
  

Blood Knot

• A favorite of fly fishermen, this knot is extremely strong and most commonly used to join two lines of monofilament (single, untwisted, synthetic fiber) lines that are about the same diameter. A tried and true knot, it is best used for monofilament that is 10 pounds and up.
  
  

Hook Snell Knot

• This knot can only be used with a leader, which is a strong wire or string placed between a lure and the fishing line. Used to fix the fishing line with a hook, this time-tested, older knot performed the best tin a comparison of fishing knots to catch rates (in research conducted by Paul's Fishing Kites in Auckland, New Zealand).
  
  

Improved Clinch Knot

• Probably the most widely used, this knot is very strong and does not slip when properly tied. It is excellent for most lures and terminal tackle, which includes hooks, floats and snaps. It is not recommended for braided lines and is also difficult to tie in lines that test greater than 25 pounds breaking strength.
  
  

Nail Knots

• This knot is considered one of the best methods for attaching a fly line to a tapered leader. It also serves well when attached to the butt section of a leader and makes a smooth, strong knot that rolls out when casting. Though some anglers use a nail to help them tie this knot, many find that using a small, hollow tube makes the task easier.
  
  

Palomar Knots

• One of the strongest and best-all-round knots, the Palomar returns 100 percent line strength and serves as a general-purpose connection used to join fishing lines to swivels, hooks, snaps and artificial lures. Though it is easy to learn and execute in many cases, it can be difficult to tie to really large tackle like snapper rigs.
  
  

Surgeons Knot

• This knot is ranked as one of the best choices for strength and one of the easiest to tie when joining lines that are of equal or unequal diameters. It can also be effectively used to connect lines made from different materials. Tied correctly, this knot approaches 100 percent line strength.