If you’ve ever tried tying a fishing knot on a rocky boat, then you’ll know how challenging it can be. The constant back and forth motion makes threading a small hook nearly impossible, which often leads to frustration and giving up entirely.
The same goes for attempting to tie a knot in cold or low-light conditions. Hook eyes are nearly impossible to thread – leading to more frustration and annoyance. This is especially true if you’re getting up there in years, and your vision or finger dexterity isn’t as great as it once was.
A good fishing knot tying tool changes all of that. It will allow you to firmly grip a hook, jig, swivel, or lure in place while you tie any type of knot you prefer. Many have additional features like line cutters, hook sharpeners, knot pickers, and jig eye cleaners.
I’ll break down some of the best fishing knot tying tools on the market, plus the most useful features to look out for.
Quick Answer: 5 Best Fishing Knot Tying Tools
- Best Overall: HOOK-EZE Quick Knot Tying Tool
- Runner Up: TYEPRO Fishing Knot Tying Tool
- Best Fly Fishing Tool: Lake Products Three-in-One Knot Tying Tool
- Best Large Knot Tyer: HOOK-EZE Large Fishing Knot Tying Tool
- Multi-Tool: SAMSFX Fishing Quick Knot Tool Combo
Best Overall: HOOK-EZE Quick Knot Tying Tool
This simple and elegant little tool allows you to quickly tie hooks and jigs up to size 4/0. The mechanism is fairly straightforward – simply snap open the tool, pop your hook inside, and then tie your preferred knot. It works well for Improved Clinch knots, Blood knots, Yucatan knots, Snell knots, FG knots, and the Bimini twist.
The built-in swivel allows you to easily twist your hook or jig while it’s clasped inside the tool. This makes it great for a variety of tasks, including joining lines, leaders, and tying swivels.
A line cutter mounted to the back allows you to quickly trim and cut loose ends, much like the cutter on a dental floss container. The tool also doubles as a hook case, allowing you to transport your fully rigged rod without worrying about poking or cutting something important.
Keep in mind this tool is suited for small to medium-sized fish hooks and tackle. There is also a large version for bigger fish hooks, which I’ll review below.
Check out HOOK-EZE’s youtube channel for excellent how-to instructional videos on knot tying and other tool uses.
Key Features
- Easily ties swivels, jig heads, speed clips and other lures/rigs
- Works with hooks from standard 4/0 down to the smallest No. 28
- Works will all types of fishing line
- Built-in line cutter for trimming line up to 50lb mono
- Doubles as a hook cover for safely transporting fully rigged poles
- Now Everybody Can Tie Professional Knots Easily: The Standard Hook-Eze Fishing Knot Tying Tool is the safest, fastest, and easiest way to tie professional fishing knots in all weather conditions. By covering the hook and its barbs with its patented design, you’ll be able to keep your hands safe while tying the most advanced knots
- Ideal For Tying A Variety of Hooks: The Hook-Eze tool fits hooks sized from a standard 4/0 down to the smallest hook size #28. The fly fishing hook cover can be secured over hooks, jig heads, speed clips, and is great for tying swivels and selected flies. Each tool also comes with a stainless steel trimmer for cutting up to 50lb line when needed
- Perfect Knots For Anglers Of All Ages: Hook-Eze lets anglers from all around the world tie the best fishing knots simply. The hassle-free tool even makes joining Braided lines to the Leader with famous knots such as the FG Knot, Bimini Twist, and Yucatan Knots an easy affair
- Safely Transport Fully Rigged Poles: Use Hook-Eze to cover the hooks attached to the pole (cover up to 2 fishing poles) to safely transport your fishing poles whilst fully rigged. Avoid torn upholstery or damage to your car, boat or caravan and travel comfortably with your pets and children
- Knot Tying Suitable For All Weather Conditions: Manufactured from 100% ABS Resin and stainless steel fittings, the Knot tying tool is impervious to all weather conditions, especially the cold and the wet. The freshwater and saltwater fishing gear is thoughtfully designed for people with numb or arthritic fingers, and other disabilities to the hands
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Runner Up: TYEPRO Fishing Knot Tying Tool
This well-made spring-action clamp is the perfect tool for gripping and threading small eyelets, tying knots, and clipping line. It’s designed to work for hooks and jigs with an exposed shank above the eyelet.
The tool includes a stainless steel line cutter, detachable lanyard for easy neck access, and an O-ring for increasing the tool’s clamping force. Threading line through an eyelet is super easy: simply clamp the eyelet into position and glide your line through the funnel with ease.
The TYEPRO is designed to work with most jigs from 1/64 to 1/2 oz and for hooks sized 14 to 5/0. Larger diameter eyelets make it difficult to completely close the tool.
TYPRO also makes an identical tool with a more compact clamping area, making it more suited to smaller flies and ice fishing jigs.
Key Features
- Improves threading and tying hooks, jigs, and lures
- Perfect for tying Improved Clinch and Palomar knots
- Included O-ring allows you to increase clamping force when needed
- Works well for tackle used with bass, walleye, perch, crappie, catfish and other popular species
- Made in the USA
- TYEPRO is the ONLY tool to combine 3 essential tasks in one accessory: threading eyelets, tying knots, and cutting fishing line.
- TYEPRO tying tools and fishing gear are made in the USA, hand-assembled and individually-inspected, by a small family business.
- Works well with most hooks size 14 to 5/0 and jigs size 1/64 to 1/2 oz.
- Customer satisfaction guaranteed!
- Scroll down to see full product details and photos, including knot-tying instructions.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Fly Fishing Tool: Lake Products Three-in-One Knot Tying Tool
Combining a reliable knot tying tool, a magnetic hook threader, and a specialized fly threader, this 3-in-1 tool has everything you need to thread and tie your favorite knots. The tool can be used to tie 16 different knots; everything from Clinch to Blood to Snell knots can be performed with ease.
Lake Products includes an excellent step by step illustrated guide for using the tool – which includes detailed instructions on tying all 16 knot types. The tool itself is constructed from tough thermoplastic and stainless steel, making it remarkably durable and corrosion-resistant.
Possibly the most useful function is the magnetic eye threading tool. It makes quick work of threading the tiniest flies, hooks, and jigs out there. This makes it especially useful in cold weather conditions, or anytime your fingers and fine motor skills are lacking.
If you’re looking for a tool that can handle the smallest flies, then this is the tool for you. It’s also a great choice for ice anglers, as the cold can make threading and tying knots a real challenge.
Key Features
- 3-in-1 functions: Knot tying tool, Magnetic hook threader, and Fly threader
- Step-by-step illustrated knot tying guide included
- Perfect for fly fishermen and ice anglers
- Tough and durable construction
- Precision machined contact firmly grips any fishing line, without causing damage
- Up and down spring action with stainless steel spring
- The body is manufactured of strong, lightweight Acetel Delrin for years of reliable service
- Stainless Steel Shaft, head and loop will not rust or corrode
- Attachment loop to clip onto clothing
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Large Knot Tyer: HOOK-EZE Large Fishing Knot Tying Tool
If you’re looking for a tool that can handle larger hooks and heavier tackle, then this is the one for you. It’s essentially the same tool as the smaller HOOK-EZE mentioned above, but beefed up to handle hooks from a standard 10/0 down to 1/0.
The built-in hook cover function is especially useful when dealing with larger hooks, as they can cause some serious damage to your car, boat, or fingers! The line cutter is also beefed up in this model, making it able to slice through heavy-duty mono and braid with ease. This version also includes a built-in bottle opener on the back, so you’ll always have a way to crack open a few cold ones!
Much like the smaller version, the larger HOOK-EZE is great for joining lines, leaders, and tying a wide variety of common fishing knots. If you’re looking for a knot tyer that can handle larger species like salmon, lake trout, and largemouth bass, then this tool will work admirably.
Key Features
- Easily ties swivels, jig heads, speed clips, and other lures/rigs
- Works with hooks from standard 10/0 down to 1/0
- Works will all types of fishing line
- Built-in line cutter
- Doubles as a hook cover for safely transporting fully rigged poles
- FISHING KNOT TYING TOOL for your fishing gear. Cover fishing hooks on fishing poles and travel safely. Built in Stainless Steel LINE CUTTER Suitable for Saltwater and Freshwater fishing, perfect for use in a Kayak and Ice Fishing. Hook-Eze also helps to tie Swivels Jig Heads and Speed Clips for attaching lures or other rigs including a small variety of Flies. Suitable for tackle used for smallmouth and largemouth bass, carp, walleye, perch and crappie and more species.
- SIMPLE TO USE - Great for joining Line to Line or Line to Leader. Braided Line to Mono filament/ Leader using the FG Knot, Blood or Yucatan knots. Hook Eze is an AWESOME Bimini Twist tool as the built in swivel helps create the twists in the line and now can be tied using only 2 hands and a HookEze
- Hook-Eze is Made from High Quality 100% Raw Virgin UV Stabilized Polypropylene and STAINLESS STEEL fittings making it impervious to all weather conditions and saltwater.
- NOW EVERYBODY CAN TIE THEIR OWN TACKLE with a professional knot. QUICK SAFE EASY Suitable for anglers of all ages and experience - Never lose a fish from a faulty knot! Ideal for cold weather conditions, numb or arthritic fingers and other disabilities to the hands. Tie the Improved Clinch Knot and Palomar Knots perfect every time. Fits hooks sized from a Standard 1/0 hook up to Standard 10/0 hook. Great addition to any tackle box!
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Multi-Tool: SAMSFX Fishing Quick Knot Tool Combo
If you’re looking for a do-it-all tool that can handle tying line to hooks, swivels, and other line, as well as making loops, tightening knots, and cleaning hook eyes, then this is the tool for you. It also features a multi-function mono line nipper for quickly snipping loose ends, and a grooved hook sharper for keeping your hooks razor sharp.
The design features a wide paddle design with rubber grips around the line cutter end. Durable 420 stainless steel construction provides long-lasting durability and precision to the individual tools.
Measuring about the size of fingernail clippers, this compact tool is small enough to stash almost anywhere. An optional 24-inch zinger retractor is also available. This is great for attaching to your fishing vest, PFD or belt.
Key Features
- Do-it-all tool for making loops, tightening knots, snipping line and much more
- Compact design is easy to store anywhere
- Durable 420 stainless steel construction
- Optional 24” zinger retractor also available
- Multi-function of 4-in-1 fly fishing mono line clipper, come with oval retractor, 60CM / 24 nylon cord
- Comfort non-slip & red river grip made of rubber keep nipper steady even with gloves or wet hand
- Durable 420 stainless steel construction, 4 in 1 design consolidates gear into one easy to useful quick knot tool
- Features hook sharpener, line clippers, jig eye cleaner / line knot picker and knot tyer combo, D-ring use for easy attachment
- Great for clear hook eyes, mono line cutting (not for braid line), honing hooks and smart nail knot tying tool
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How to pick the best fishing knot tying tool
With so many types, features and designs, picking the right fishing knot tying tool (or tools) for your needs can be a confusing task. I’ll break down exactly what you need to know to select the right tool for the job.
Size
It’s important to consider the size of tackle you’ll be working with. Do you typically fish for smaller species like crappie, perch, and smallmouth bass? Or are you more likely to target big bruisers like pike, trout, salmon, and larger saltwater species?
Most knot tying tools are suited for small to medium-sized hooks up to 5/0 or so. If you’re looking for something beefier, there are several models specifically built for handling larger hooks and tackle suited to bigger fish.
There are also specific models built to handle smaller hooks – which work well for smaller flys and the compact jigs used by ice fishermen.
Use Case
How you plan to use the knot typing tool is another important consideration.
Some models are best suited to tying Improved Clinch and Blood knots, while others are designed for Nail and Needle Nail knots. Check to make sure any tool you’re interested in is able to tie your preferred knot.
Tools like the HOOK-EZE are great all-around choices, as they’re able to tie a wide variety of knots, and the built-in swivel enables you to make a Bimini twist with two hands.
Additional Features
There are a number of extra tool features that can be highly useful, depending on your fishing habits and style. Let’s take a look at a few of them briefly.
- Jig Eye Cleaner: Jig eye cleaners are handy little tools that allow you to clean out jig eyes of all sizes. These are especially useful if you paint your own jigs, and need to remove excess paint from the eyelet.
- Hook Covers: Several knot tyers also double as fishhook covers. These enable you to clamp the hook inside the tool and then use the attached lanyard clip to attach the other end to a guide or part of the reel. This is a super handy feature for transporting your fully rigged fishing pole inside a car or anywhere with easily damaged upholstery.
- Line Cutters: A good pair of line cutters always comes in handy when you’re working with fishing tackle. If you’re tying hooks, leaders, and swivels, then you’ll need a good way to cut line cleanly without fraying.
- Fish Hook Remover: Most fishing knot tying tools don’t feature hook removers, but several have this capability. If you fish often, I’d recommend getting a dedicated fish hook remover though. Check out my detailed review of the best fish hook removers here.
