How to Tie the Uni Knot

The uni knot is a versatile fishing knot with several uses.

Not only is it used to connect a fishing line to a hook or other terminal tackle, but it’s also great for attaching the line to your fishing reel’s arbor.

Although less common (because there are stronger alternatives), the uni knot can also be used to join two separate fishing lines together.

The main reasons to know the uni knot are its ease of tying and its versatility. It’s also a quite strong, although it’s not a “100% knot.”

Today, I’ll show you exactly how to tie the uni knot for fishing.

How to Tie a Uni Knot

Here is a step-by-step look at how to tie the uni knot to an object with an eyelet.

Step 1

Start by passing the line through the eyelet before looping back the end tag so it’s parallel with the standing line.

Step 2

Cross the end tag over the standing line to create a small loop. Leave the loop loose for now.

Step 3

Pass the end tag through the center of the loop you just created. Wrap the end tag around the standing line and through the loop several times. Four or five times is good for fishing.

Step 4

Pull both the tag end and standing line to tighten the knot. Slide the knot down to the desired area. You can keep a small loop near the hook or pull tight. Trim off the excess line from the end tag.

Tips on Tying the Uni Knot

Lubricating the line before tying this knot makes it much easier to tie. A bit of saliva works well.

You can wrap the end tag through the loop as many times as you want in step 3. Four or five times generally works well for fishing. Just know that the more turns of the line, the stronger the knot’s overall breaking strength.

The only downside to wrapping the line more than four or five times is that the knot will become slightly bulkier. However, because of the uni knot’s smooth design, this bulkiness generally won’t affect your fishing.

For a more in-depth tutorial and additional information on the Uni knot, check out our video!

Best Uses for the Uni Knot

The uni knot is well known as one of the best multi-purpose fishing knots.

Not only can it be used to attach hooks, lures, snaps, swivels, and other terminal tackle to a fishing line, but it can also be used to join two fishing lines together or attach a fishing line to the arbor of a fishing reel.

The uni knot is somewhat similar to a fisherman’s knot, except it’s primarily used to attach a line to tackle rather than join two lines together.

One of the highlights of using the uni knot for fishing is that it works just as well with braided, fluorocarbon, and monofilament fishing lines.

Yet another way to use the uni knot is to attach a rope to a cleat so as to secure a boat to a dock.

Pros and Cons of the Uni Knot

There’s a lot to love about the uni knot but it also has a few downsides for fishing.

Uni Knot Advantages

Here are the main benefits of the uni knot:

• Easy – This is one of the quickest and easiest fishing knots to tie.

• Strong – It’s far from a 100% knot, but that doesn’t mean the uni knot isn’t strong. When tied correctly, it maintains around 90% of the lines breaking strength. Compare this to the roughly 50% breaking strength of the clinch knot.

• Versatile – Use the uni knot with braided, fluorocarbon, and monofilament line. Use it to attach terminal tackle to a line, join two lines together, or attach the line to the arbor of your reel.

Uni Knot Disadvantages

Here are the main drawbacks of the uni knot:

• Not Strongest – Sure, the uni knot is strong, but there are even stronger options that accomplish much the same thing, such as the palomar knot.

History of the Uni Knot

The uni knot is one of those knots that goes by a lot of different names, including the Duncan loop and Grinner knot.

The knot dates back to at least 1944 when it first appeared in print under the name of the gallows knot.

The uni knot was quickly developed for fishing as the Duncan knot, named after its creator Norman Duncan.

Around 1970, the knot finally took its current name of the uni knot when it was outlined in a fishing book by Vic Dunaway.

Today, most anglers refer to this multi-purpose knot as the uni knot. The name relates to its versatility of use with braided, fluorocarbon, and monofilament lines.

Those living in the United Kingdom might still hear the knot more commonly referred to as the Grinner knot.

Variations of the Uni Knot

The most common variation of the uni knot is the double uni knot.

To tie the double uni knot, you basically just tie two individual uni knots, one with each end of the line.

Unlike the standard uni knot which is most commonly used to attach fishing line to an eyelet, the double uni knot is designed specifically to join two fishing lines together.

By tying two separate uni knots, you simply increase the strength of the connection.

Both the uni knot and double uni knot are quite similar to the nail knot and the blood knot.

Learn How to Tie Other Fishing Knots!

The uni knot is just one of those fishing knots that every angler needs to know.

I frequently use it for tying a line to terminal tackle like a hook. Every now and again, I’ll also use it for tying the line to the arbor of my fishing reel.

Want to learn how to tie other fishing knots?

Then check out our guide to the best knots for fishing. It breaks down 10+ of the best fishing knots for every situation.

You might also be interested in our other fishing resources, such as our trout fishing 101 guide and our guide to catching largemouth bass.

We also have step-by-step instructions on how to tie knots of all types, both for fishing and for other survival situations.