The Bimini Twist is one of the most important knots you can learn. It takes some time to master, but it can be used as a foundation for all saltwater leader systems. The Bimini allows you to double your standing line into a loop, creates 100 percent knot strength and acts as a "shock" between small line and heavier leader.

The Surgeon’s Knot can be used to tie your leader (under 60 pounds) to the Bimini twist. This is the knot to use when tying two lines of dissimilar diameters together in the dark. It’ really just an overhand knot tied with two (treat the double Bimini as one line) strands of line. One knot that I avoided for years but recently mastered is the Blood Knot. Preferred by most Keys guides for building leaders, this knot has a slim profile that easily slips through the guides of a fly rod.

The final step is to tie a hook or lure to the leader. The Non-Slip Mono Loop is my choice for several reasons: it’s easy to tie, tests near 100 percent, and forms a loop that gives bait and lures more range of motion. The knot has a couple of other advantages: it won’t tighten when a fish is hooked, and the tag end comes out facing away from the standing line which keeps it from picking up weeds or other debris.

With just these three knots you can rig effectively for most fishing situations. One of the other knots you’ll find helpful is the Albright Special. This is the knot to tie when you’re rigging for Spanish mackerel or tarpon. It allows you to tie mono to wire without a swivel, and lets you join 20 pound line to a 100 pound leader.

There are a few rules that will help you tie reliable knots no matter which ones you choose to use. First, make sure you give yourself plenty of line to make the knot. You use less line in the long run, and learning will be a lot less frustrating. Secondly and probably most importantly, wet your knots and tighten them firmly. Make sure they won’t slip when a fish tightens the line. It’s been proven that most knots fail when they slip. Use a pair of pliers on the tag eng and have a loop where you can place the hook when finalizing the knot. Follow these rules, tie the knots that work for you, and you’ll lose less fish and gain bragging rights!