The clinch knot and improved clinch knot are ideal salt-water fishing knots for attaching the trace line to the swivel.

If the tab end is held between finger and thumb while setting the knot the length of the trace can be controlled.

Both of these knots are ideal for tying traces when they all have to be made exactly the same length to fit on a trace rack.

Learn these simple knots and you will never need help tying fishing knots again.

If you want to teach fishing knots to your kids these two are a great place to start them tying fishing rigs for themselves!

Insert line through the swivel then put four to six turns on before putting the tab end through. If the knot is pulled up at this stage it is called a clinch knot

Alternatively before pulling up the clinch knot the tab end can be put back through the large loop and this changes it into an improved clinch knot

If the knot looks untidy when pulled up try putting the tab end through from the other side in step 2

Fishing knot tying guide-clinch fishing knot