Rocking boats, shaky hands, and low-light conditions are all factors that can turn tying a simple knot into a nightmare. At some point, every angler has experienced losing a hook, leader, or a lure, and it’s always because of an error in the line.
That’s why, whether you’re a professional or a novice, you need a knot-tying tool. It shrinks the time you spend on setting up your line and ensures that every knot is secure and in place.
There are different styles and shapes on the market, and choosing the right one is a matter of preference. There are even some tools that come with some additional features like hook cleaners and line cutters.
On our list, we’ve gathered a collection of different styles and combos, so you’ll definitely find your best match.
List of the Best Knot-tying Tools:
- HOOK-EZE Knot Tying Tool – Best Overall
- Lake Products THREE-in-One – Best for Fly Fishing
- SAMSFX Fishing – Best Multi-purpose Set
- TYEPRO Fishing Knot-tying Tool – Best for Beginners
- SF 2-in-1 Fly Fishing – Best for Light Lines
The 5 Best Knot-tying Tools in 2023
1- HOOK-EZE Knot Tying Tool – Best Overall
Hook-eze is this affordable and quick knot-tying tool that will quickly take a permanent residence in your tackle box. Made of UV stabilized propylene and stainless steel, it’s resistant to all weather conditions and saltwater.
Although it’s generally small, it fits any hook size, from the standard 4/0 down to the smallest 28. This means it works well for small trout hooks as well as medium-sized perch and walleye hooks. However, it’s not large enough to accommodate the ones used for large bass.
The tool is multifunctional and is suitable for all ages and experience levels. It can be used to join braided or monofilament lines or join a line to tippets, jigs, or leaders. It’ll make you feel like a professional tying standard knots like Double Blood, Yucatan, and FG knots, in addition to some advanced ones like Clinch and Palomar knots.
Along with the knot-tying device comes a stainless steel line cutter to trim your line and a built-in swivel, which helps create turns on the line to be tied easily. Moreover, it features a hook cover, which enables you to cover the hook’s sharp barbs while working at the knot.
This is beneficial in many ways. For one thing, it renders the tool safe for children to join the line to the hook without injuring their hands. For another, you’ll be able to travel with your poles fully rigged without worrying about the hook getting caught on anything.
Pros:
- All-in-one tool
- For kids and adults
- Two-year warranty
- For fresh and saltwater
- Sturdy stainless steel fittings
- Add-on hook cover
- Built-in swivel
- Compatible with monofilament and braided lines
Cons:
- Flimsy plastic hinges
- The plastic compartment is hard to open
Bottom Line
All in all, you’ll find that Hook-eze is an amazingly safe and straightforward solution for old and young fishermen trying to tie on small to medium-sized hooks and jigs. The add-ons make it feel like you’re holding an entire toolbox in the palm of your hand.
2- Lake Products THREE-in-One – Best for Fly Fishing
With a magnetic threader, specialized fly threader, and a knot-tying assistant, Lake Products came up with this unique three-in-one tool. It’s loaded with a lot of features that make it stand out as one of the best knot-tying tools on the market.
First and foremost, the magnetic threader feature on this tool makes threading the eye of a hook or a fly a mere ten-second job. Basically, the magnet will hold the fly in place while you slide the tippet along the groove of the tool and into the eye of the fly.
That means you can efficiently thread your tippet even in extremely cold or low-light conditions without worrying about your shaky hands or poor eyesight making you miss the loop.
As for its knot-tying capabilities, the tool can handle fourteen different types of knots, including the Clinch, Triline, Dropper Loop, Nail knot, and many others. It also comes with an illustrative manual that explains the steps of all major knots in a fairly simple way.
The body is constructed with Acetal Delrin, which is known for its impressive stiffness and mechanical strength, and the shaft is made of stainless steel. To put it simply, it’s a tool that can withstand harsh weather and brutal treatment with outstanding durability.
One additional feature that has caught our eyes is the attachment loop that comes with the tool. It allows you to clip the device to your vest, so you can reach for it easily and never lose it on board or on the surf.
Pros:
- Three-in-one
- Attachment loop
- Durable and corrosion-resistant
- Amazing magnetic threader
- Lightweight
- Works with all types of lines
Cons:
- Instruction book uses a small font
- Diagrams can be a little unclear sometimes
- Tricky to use on smaller flies
Bottom Line
The moment you use this three-in-one tool, you’ll regret not having purchased it earlier. It’s hands down the best knot-tying tool for fly fishing. Using this device, even anglers struggling with arthritic fingers or poor eyesight will never lose a fish due to a faulty knot.
3- SAMSFX Fishing – Best Multi-purpose Set
This combo from SAMSFX combines many useful functions for all types of anglers. The main parts include a nail knot-tying tool, a loop-tying assistant, and a zinger retractor.
As its name indicates, the nail knot-tying tool specializes in various kinds of nail knots used to join two lines of different diameters or to attach your backing to the fly line. Also, it’s used to connect your fly line to the leader or the tippet.
The tool is made of sturdy metal and is better used for monofilament lines. It makes tying knots so much easier, almost like having an extra finger. Moreover, it’ll serve you for many years without rusting or corroding. We like that it comes in three different colors: black, gold and silver. Remember that a bright color makes the tool easier to spot among the rest of your gear.
To further minimize the chance of losing the tool, it comes with a zinger retractor, which simply attaches the device to your fishing jacket or gear bag in order to keep it accessible.
Jumping to the last item of the set, the loop-tying assistant is made of high-quality plastic and is used to tie quick loops that are ideal for hair rigs and hook lengths. The other end of the tool can be used as a hook remover to take off hooks from larger fish with teeth or deeply-hooked large fish.
To continue with the amazing features, the kit is outfitted with a hook sharpener to keep the barbs sharp, a line clipper to cut the excess line, and finally, a jig cleaner to remove factory paint from tiny jigs.
Pros:
- Robust stainless steel build
- Versatile functions
- Budget-friendly
- Useful add-on features
- Additional loop-tying tool
- Compact design
- Attachment loop
Cons:
- Comes with unclear instructions
- Takes time to master
Bottom Line
If you are on the fence about whether or not to purchase this multi-purpose combo, get off the fence and buy it! There is nothing that a fisherman would need that this kit doesn’t include. It may be complicated for a beginner, but with a little practice, anyone can get the hang of it.
4- TYEPRO Fishing Knot-tying Tool – Best for Beginners
Figuring out how to work a knot using a knot-tying tool isn’t an easy task, but Tyepro has made it possible to be an expert without many trials and errors.
This tool shines in being both a threading and a tying tool at the same time. The threading area is exceptionally larger than that in other tools, so you can easily see where your line is going. It makes the process of tying hooks a piece of cake and joining braided to monofilament lines easier than ever. All you need to do is feed the line through the opening and pull tight.
Anglers reported that it’s compatible with hooks from size 14 to 5/0 and can be used to tie jigs that weigh anything from 1/16 to ½ ounces. This adds to the tool’s versatility, as it renders it suitable for tackles used to land panfish as well as largemouths like bass and catfish.
Made of stainless steel, it includes a large eyelet funnel, comfortable spring-loaded handle, and an o-ring clamp, which increases the clamping force for extra control.
The line cutter on the back is a great idea! You won’t need to reach for your pocket knife or dig through a mess of gear to find your line cutter. This is especially useful for rookies who aren’t used to their fishing gear yet. The detachable lanyard is another handy feature, as it allows you to attach the tool to your neck or your tackle box, so you can quickly grab it whenever you want.
Although the product is more on the pricey side, it’ll help those with tired eyes to re-tie their lines in low light and get better knots when it’s hard to see.
Pros:
- Perfect for beginners
- Useful for tying and threading
- Firm grip
- Solid clamping force
- Works with different types of lines and lures
- Built-in line cutter
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not practical for larger hooks and swivels
- Not for all types of knots
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for your first knot-tying tool, then Tyepro is our best recommendation. It can tie a variety of knots and help you thread small hooks without hassle. The line cutter, detachable lanyard, and the o-ring clap make the tool exceptionally useful and easy to use for beginners.
5- SF 2-in-1 Fly Fishing – Best for Light Lines
This two-in-one tying tool is the best representation of the saying “great things come in small packages.”
It may be smaller in size than a fingernail clipper. Yet, it’s capable of building tapered leaders for fly fishing as well as tying hooks and leaders to light monofilament lines without a chance of them slipping undone.
Apart from its ability to tie perfect Snell and Nail knots in a super clean and precise way, it makes threading a hook super easy, even on the smallest flies. And tying a clinch knot has never been faster and foolproof.
This knot-tying tool is made of durable stainless steel that’s corrosion-resistant to withstand the rigors of saltwater. Good luck trying to bend or break it, as it’s built to last a lifetime. With an additional knot picker, you can count on it to get the job done and cut the excess line without searching around for an extra line cutter.
The price tag on this tool is reasonable, and the fact that it comes with an elegant retractor makes it worth every penny. Via its D-ring, you can hook the tool to your clothes or hang it from your belt or pocket so that you can reach for it easily.
Pros:
- Strong stainless steel construction
- Suitable for variable types of knots
- Comes with a stylish retractor
- Knot picker
- Precise and easy-to-use
Cons:
- Vague instructions
- Too small for big hands
- Quality control issues
Bottom Line
Anglers who are looking for nothing complicated can go for this simple yet useful tool. It represents the pure form of a knot-tying tool that’s remarkable in tying secure knots with no failure spots or loose points. And the oval retractor is a nice bonus!
How to Pick the Best Knot-tying Tools
Picking a knot-tying tool may not seem like a big deal. However, with many options on the market, you may end up with a good-for-nothing tool because you chose the first one that came across without further research. Here are some points to keep in mind before pulling the trigger.
Versatile Eyelets
Some knot-tying assistants specialize in a particular type of knot while others give you space to tie more than one type. The best you can opt for is an all-around one that’s capable of tying at least all the essential knots like the nail, palmar, turtle, and blood knots.
If you’re going to go with a specialized one, make sure it matches your preferred knot or the one you find the most difficult to tie.
Material
According to your fishing environment, choose a material that will stay intact for a long time. Optimal knot-tying tools are made of high-grade stainless steel. These are corrosion-resistant to the point that they can take several dives in saltwater and come out clear and shiny as ever.
Moreover, they’re durable enough to endure the hands of heavy users and the impact of accidental falls.
Size
Depending on the type of species you’re targeting, the size of your hooks, jigs, and lures vary, and consequently, the size of the tool used should be different.
The best knot-tying tool should be capable of threading various thick braided lines as well as light lines. Fortunately, most of the market products are medium-sized, so they’ll work just fine in most cases.
Yet, if you’re a coastal angler who wrestles against sea monsters, your tackles and lines will be generally heavy so you’d better choose a bigger heavy-duty tool.
Additional Features
An all-in-one tying device is always a better budget choice. Look for products that incorporate extra features like:
- Fastening rings: to attach the tool to the angler’s clothes.
- Hook covers or bonnets: these are shields pushed onto the hook to protect it from snagging while tying the knot and protect your hands from its sharp barbs as well.
- Jig eye cleaners: to wipe out any debris or accumulated paint from your jigs.
- Hook removers: to remove the hook without hurting the fish, in case you’re setting it free again. It also separates the hook without bending or cutting its edges to be used many times again.
- Line cutters: having a built-in line cutter eliminates the necessity of having an extra cutting tool on you. It helps in cutting the excess line while tying a knot.
Safety
One of the main reasons for purchasing a knot-tying assistant is to avoid the potential injuries from hooking lines with your bare hands. Hence, choose a generally safe tool with blunt edges that won’t expose your hands to further pricks and punctures.
Ease of Use
Well, it’s illogical to make matters worse with a complicated tool. The simpler the device, the easier it will be to tie a knot in cold conditions when your fingers are half numb or at night when the lighting isn’t sufficient to see where the thread is going.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why Do I Need a Knot-tying Tool?
Because there are various kinds of knots you need to tie on your fishing line, and if one of them turns out to be wimpy or loose, it will ruin the whole set-up. Even experienced anglers like to have a knot-tying tool on board to ensure that their knots are firm and secure.
How to Tie a Nail Knot Using a Knot-tying Tool?
First, run the tip of the leader over the thumb pad and through the slot. Next, drop the line in between the fork and wrap six loops around the tip, securing it with your forefinger. Then, bring the line back through the coils and pull it up out of the tool. Finally, insert half an inch of the fly line in the tip. To transfer the knot into the fly line, grasp the monofilament and pull quickly.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve come to an end, we hope that this article has helped you find your best knot-tying tool. If you’re still contemplating your choices, here are our final recommendations.
From what we’ve seen on the market, no product can match the resilience and versatility of the Hook-eze knot-tying tool. It’s cheap as chips and suitable for kids and adults alike.
Another star on our list is the three-in-one tool from Lake product. It can tie all kinds of knots and won’t disappoint you whether you’re a freshwater, saltwater, or ice angler. Thanks to its magnetic threader, you can be legally blind and still manage to pass the tippet through the fly.
Lastly, if you’re looking for something more specialized, then look no further than the SAMSFX nail knot-tying device.