How to tie a uni knot
A reliable single-hook knot that works on mono, fluorocarbon, and braid. Tied correctly, it retains around 90% of line strength.
Step by step
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1
Thread and double back.
Pass the tag end through the hook eye, then run it back parallel to the main line. Leave about 15 cm of tag — you need room to work the wraps.
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2
Form the loop.
Bring the tag end back toward the hook eye, crossing over the doubled section to create a loop on the right side. Pinch the loop closed with your thumb and forefinger so it does not collapse while you wrap.
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3
Wrap 5–6 times.
Pass the tag end through the loop and wrap it around the doubled section. Five wraps for mono and fluorocarbon. Six wraps for braid. Keep each wrap tight and parallel — loose, crossed wraps lose strength.
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4
Wet, pull, slide.
Wet the knot with saliva — this matters, dry knots burn the line under load. Pull the tag end to cinch the wraps tight. Then pull the main line to slide the knot down to the hook eye. Trim the tag to 3 mm.
When to use this knot
The uni knot is the workhorse knot for terminal tackle — hooks, swivels, and lures — connected to your main line or leader. It is the standard choice for fluorocarbon leaders in NSW estuary fishing and for attaching ganged hooks when targeting tailor or Australian salmon from the beach.
If you need to join two lines of different diameter (braid to fluoro), the uni knot is not the right tool. Use the FG knot instead — it is slimmer and stronger for line-to-line joins.
If you are tying a lure or hard plastic that needs to swing freely, the Palomar knot is stronger but creates a fixed loop. Pick the knot by what you need: action (loop knot) or pure strength (Palomar) or general-purpose reliability (uni).
