Tying the Bimini Twist Actually Isn’t as Hard as You Think

A strong Bimini twist could make the difference between a lost tarpon and a leadered tarpon. Ted Morrison

It’s been said that the Bimini twist is the most difficult fishing knot to tie. It’s also one of the strongest, capable of beating fish weighing over 1,000 pounds. The latter is true. The former? Not so much. Mastering the Bimini twist seems to be every angler’s nightmare—at least among those who haven’t tried it. Although it looks intimidating, it’s not that difficult. After 30 minutes of practice, you should be able to tie this important knot easily.

The Bimini creates a doubled line ending in a loop. The doubled line can then be tied directly to a lure, swivel, or hook. Often, a Bimini is tied in a light running line or leader, and the loop is then tied to a heavier shock leader. That’s standard procedure in fly fishing for bigger fish like striped, tarpon, marlin, and tuna. Follow these directions, and you’ll master the Bimini twist in no time.

Step 1: Double the Line

Start by doubling about 3 feet of line. Hold the tag end and standing line together in your left hand. Put your right hand in the loop at the end. Rotate your right hand clockwise 20 times, creating a series of spread-out twists in the doubled line.

Step 2: Spread the Loop

While seated with knees together, use your right hand to spread the end loop over both knees. Keep holding the tag end and standing line with your left hand so the twists don’t unwind. Now grab the tag end with your right hand, still holding the standing line with your left.

Step 3: Pack the Line Twists

Pull with your hands upward and slightly apart. At the same time, spread your knees to put tension on the loop. This packs the twists closer together.

Step 4: Wrap the Twists

Now move your right hand (tag end of line) downward so the line is roughly perpendicular to the twists, and slightly relax tension from your right hand. Maintain tension on the loop with your knees and on the standing line with your left hand. You’ll feel the tag end start to wrap itself around the twists. Keep loosening tension with only your right hand as the tag end wraps downward, over the twists and to the beginning of the loop over your knees.

Step 5: Anchor the Wraps

Anchor the resulting wraps by making a half hitch with the tag end around one side of the loop. Then make three half hitches around both loop strands, pulling the hitches up tightly against the base of the wraps. Trim the tag end, breathe a sigh of relief, and try it again.