Module 4

Knot know-how

As anglers, our connection to the fish is only as strong as the weakest link in our equipment, and more often than not, that weak link is our knots. A poorly tied knot can be the difference between landing the “fish of a lifetime” and watching it slip away. This module is crafted to empower you with the knowledge and techniques to ensure your knots are as strong as you can hope for, giving you greater confidence when you need to “put some hurt on”.

Overview

There are knots for every purpose in fishing, and no one knot will do all jobs. In this module, you’ll learn 15 different knots, when to use each, and how to combine them to create purpose-built rigs to suit every scenario.

Duration

Variable. We expect you’ll revisit as needed.

Testing

  • Video uploads
  • Assessment by randomised quiz
  • Reflective worksheet upload
  • Short online survey

Resources

You will need a fresh printout of your Reflective Worksheet. If you have not kept a copy on your computer, you can download a new one here.

Download Your resources now

You will need:

  • your device
  • video recorder (if your phone does not have camera)
  • a spool of 16lb monofilament or flurocarbon line
  • a spool of 12-16lb braid
  • some standard swivels
  • some three-way swivels
  • a ball sinker
  • a small snapper sinker
  • a few bait hooks
  • a lure or jighead
  • a large paddle-tail soft plastic
  • braid scissors
  • headphones
    (if preferred)
  • access to a printer
  • a pen, pencil, or texta

MODULE CONTRIBUTORS

Jo Starling

FOUNDER, Women’s Recreational Fishing League

Thanks to Concord Rods for supporting the delivery of this important module!

welcome to module 4

Introduction

units of study

Here’s what you will learn

Tight terminal knots

Halfblood, uni, palomar, snell, double davy knots.

Loop knots

Lefty’s loop, perfection loop, loose uni.

Line to line knots

Double uni, slim beauty, albright, FG, bloodknot, surgeons… and a bonus: the Rizutto — a finishing knot that protects your connections as they run through your guides.

Droppers and paternosters

Bloodbight dropper, and using swivels to create paternosters for different species… plus the surgeons loop for attaching your sinker.

Simple bait rigs

Building simple bait rigs — weighted, unweighted and under floats.

Live bait rigs

How to create live bait rigs that last.

Advanced bait rigs

Can you make a dead bait pass as live bait? We’ll explore some tricks.

BEGIN

resources

Self-Reflection Worksheet

Download Worksheet
Additional Research Material

Links

For the best experience with this course, we recommend using the Google Chrome browser. Click here to download.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & GRATITUDE

This course is supported by funding from the FRDC (Project ID 2022/033) on behalf of the Australian Government.

For more information on the full team behind this project, please click here.

The Women’s Recreational Fishing League acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live, work and fish on across Australia.
We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.