What Is It?
The blood knot, also known as the double blood knot, joins two fishing lines of similar sizes like different sections of the leader or tippet. It has a breaking strength of around 83%. Its name originated from its use on the business end of a Cat o’ nine tails whip.
How to Tie a Blood Knot
- Note that the tag ends are at right angles to the line.
- If you find it hard controlling the tippet ends go for the easier, faster speed blood knot. Though not a true blood knot, it has approximately the same strength.
- First, make an overhand knot with the 2 lines
- Cross the 2 pieces over and twist the 2 lines one over the other
- Make a loop in the center and pass the overhand knot through it
- Tighten by pulling the standing parts in opposite directions
- It can join a leadcore to the leader
- Improved blood knot – Fares well in connecting a thicker line to a thinner one. For example a heavy shock material to a lighter class tippet.
- Half blood knot – For attaching a fishing hook to the line. It can also join a line to a snap, swivel or lure.
- In fly fishing.
- To construct fishing leaders.
- As a decorative stopper knot in sailing
- For leader to tippet and line to leader connections.
Tying a Blood Knot: Video
- Double surgeon’s knot – Slips less though weaker.
- J knot – Slightly more powerful albeit difficult to tie.
- Double uni- Stronger for braided lines.
- Uni knot – Sturdier and less unwieldy.
- Uni to uni – Retains around 90% of the line strength making it more robust.
- Albright knot – Joins lines of different diameters.
- Double fisherman’s knot – Employs fewer twists in the 2
- Nail knot– Unites varying diameter lines. Also used in carp fishing versus the blood knot’s use in fly fishing only.
- Blood loop knot – Connects a hook snood to a trace body