Here are just a few  of useful knots every fisherman should know.

The Palomar Knot is easy to tie, exceptionally strong, and very popular with bass fishing pros for tying on jigs and worm hooks. It's somewhat awkward to tie when using lures with treble hooks, but it is the recommended knot for braided lines.

1. Double about four inches of line and pass the loop through the eye.

2. Let the lure or hook hang loose and tie an overhand knot in the doubled line. Avoid twisting the line and don't over tighten. 

3. Pull the loop of line far enough to pass it over the lure or hook. Make sure the loop passes completely over this attachment. 

4. To tighten, pull the tag end while holding the standing line. Clip the tag end. 

The Improved Clinch is very easy to tie, which is the main reason it's so popular for connecting monofilament to terminal tackle. It's most effective on lines under 20-pound test.

1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure. Double back and make five turns around the standing line.

2. Holding the coils in place, thread the tag end of the first loop above the eye, then through the big loop.

3. Hold the tag end and standing line while pulling up the coils. Make sure the coils are in a spiral, not overlapping each other. Slide against the eye.

4. Clip the tag end.

The Surgeon's Knot an exceptionally strong, simple-to-tie knot for joining lines of different diameters. It's the best knot around for tying tippets to fly-fishing leaders, too. 

1. Lay the line and leader alongside each other, overlapping six to eight inches.

2. Treating the two like a single line, tie an overhand knot, pulling the entire leader through the loop. 

3. Leaving the loop of the overhand knot open, pull the tag ends of both the line and leader through again. 

4. Hold both lines and both ends to pull the knot tight. Clip ends close to avoid foul-ups in the rod guides.

The Two-Turn Clinch has been around since the turn of the century. It's stronger than the Improved Clinch and almost as easy to tie.

1. Pass the line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure two times to form a small double loop.

2. Finish the loop between your thumb and forefinger, and make five turns around the standing line. Insert the tag end through the double loop.

3. Hold the tag end and standing line while pulling up the coils. Make sure the coils are in a spiral, not overlapping each other. Slide against the eye.

4. Clip the tag end.

The Surgeon's Loop is a quick and easy way to put a loop in the end of a line. It's tied in the same manner as the Surgeon's Knot.

1. Double the end of the line to form a loop, and then tie an overhand knot at 
the base of the double line.

2. Leaving the loop open, bring the double line through once more.

3. Hold the standing line and tag end, and pull the loop to tighten the knot. You can adjust the loop size by shifting the loose knot before tightening.

4. Clip the tag end.

Strong, reliable, and easy to tie, the Uni-Knot is an excellent knot for securing line to terminal tackle. It's also the foundation of the entire Uni-Knot system. Note that the Uni-Knot can be left as a loop or tightened down so it's snug to the hook eye (see Steps 4 and 5).

1. Run at least six inches of line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure, and fold to make two parallel lines. Bring the tag end of the line back in a circle toward the hook or lure.

2. Make six turns with the tag end around the double line and through the circle. 

3. Hold the double line at the point where it passes through the eye, and pull the tag end to snug up the turns. 

4. To create a loop connection: Adjust the loop size by sliding the knot up or down the standing line. Then pull the tag end with pliers to maximize tightness. 

5. To create a snug knot: Pull the standing line to slide the knot up against the eye. Then continue pulling until the knot is tight.