Uni knot (grinner) and double uni

If you are only going to learn one knot beyond clinch and palomar, let it be the uni. It is also called the grinner and is one of fishing’s most useful knots, because the same knot ties on hook, swivel and lure, works on every line type, and can also be doubled to splice two lines. Learn it once and you have a knot for almost every situation.

One knot, many uses

The uni knot’s strength is the versatility. It ties on a hook as readily as a swivel or a lure, and it holds reliably on monofilament, fluorocarbon and slippery braid, where an ordinary clinch knot sometimes slides. Being able to use a single knot that works everywhere makes life simpler at the water, and the uni is also easy to tie even with cold fingers.

Step by step

1. Make a loop. Pass the line through the hook eye and bring the end back a way along the standing line so a loop is formed.
2. Fold back. Fold the tag end toward the hook so you have a doubled line to wrap around.
3. Wrap. Wrap the tag end 5–6 turns around the doubled lines, inside the loop.
4. Draw together. Wet the knot and pull the free end so the wraps draw together into a neat knot.
5. Seat the knot. Pull the standing line so the knot slides down to the hook eye, and clip the surplus.

Double uni for splicing

If you want to join two lines, for example braid to a fluorocarbon leader, you use a double uni. Lay the line ends overlapping, tie a uni knot with one end around the other line, then do the same with the other end. Wet both knots and then pull the standing lines so the two uni knots slide together against each other into a slim, strong splice. It is a tough alternative to the blood knot, especially when the lines differ in material or diameter.

Wet and tighten right

As with all knots two rules apply: wet before you tighten, and tighten evenly and firmly. Dry line is burned by friction and loses strength, and a sloppily tightened knot is the most common cause of a lost fish. Practise a few times at home, so the uni sits in your fingers. An overview of which knots you need and when is under all fishing knots.