Knot tying tools become essential for seasoned anglers.
As we get older, most of us lose the ability to focus on things up close, a fact you’ll probably notice first when reading a menu or – for anglers – when trying to thread the eye of a hook, lure, or jig.
Arthritis, injuries, age and just plain cold fingers can reduce the dexterity we enjoy in our fingers, too, making knots far more difficult to tie than they should be.
But they’re necessary for some knots no matter how acute your vision is or nimble your fingers are. For instance, there’s just no way to tie the nail knot free-hand, and the awesome FG Bobbin, as its name tells you, demands a tool.
If you’re on the lookout for a knot tying tool for any of these reasons, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find reviews of the top fishing knot tying tools out there.
Quick glance at the best fishing knot tying tools:
Table of Contents (clickable)
Related: Best Fishing Line Spooler
Best Fishing Knot Tying Tools Reviewed
TQONEP Knot Tying Tool – Best Multi-tool for Tying Knots
TQONEP’s knot tying tool is a very good idea and an excellent buy for anglers struggling with the dexterity needed to tie a Snell knot. It also provides the ability to tie the Nail knot, making this a nice combo tool for fresh and saltwater.
Essentially four tools in one, you’ll find reasonably effective clippers for cutting line (they struggle with tough braid), a hook-sharpening file, and a small tool for tying the Snell and Nail knots. You’ll also find a tiny spike that’s great for learning excess paint from fly eyes (I’m looking at you, little poppers!).
The size of the TYEPRO makes it easy to manipulate, too, so if you’re struggling with arthritis, nerve damage, or the like, you can easily tie knots ranging from the Palomar to the Clinch to the Kreh.
If you’re frustrated by how long it takes you to thread your eyes and don’t want to wear reading glasses out on the water, this is a must-have.
Pros:
- Awesome for bad eyes and arthritic hands
- Easy to use
- Works with a wide variety of jigs and hooks
- Works with a good range of knots
Cons:
TIE-FAST – Best Nail Knot Tool
The Needle Knot is the go-to method for joining thick fly line to leader or tippet, but it’s impossible to tie freehand.
Without a tool, it just can’t be done.
Enter the TIE-FAST, an essential tool for fly anglers. Small and handy, it clips to your vest, keeping it ready-to-hand, and its stainless steel construction means you never need to worry about corrosion.
It’s easy to use and makes tying the Nail knot a cinch.
One thing I really like about the Knot Needle is that it’s useful for a variety of knots, from the Uni to the Kreh. That makes it amazingly versatile, and whether you’ve suffered a hand injury or just fight a bad case of arthritis, this tool works really well.
Pros:
- Excellent tool for arthritic hands
- Easy to use
- Useful for a wide variety of knots
Cons:
- The spring can be a tad tight at first
Koehler Industries Clinch Knot Tool
Even the noblest fingers and keenest eyes can find it challenging to tie a good knot on a tiny fly, and hands numbed by cold water can make that all but impossible.
Koehler Industry’s Clinch Knot Tool is the solution, and this easy-to-use device is the magic wand of fly-tying in challenging conditions.