What the King Sling Knot Does
The king sling knot creates a loop at the end of your fishing line that won't slip under load. You tie it by doubling back your line, wrapping it around itself in a specific pattern, and cinching it tight. The result is a loop strong enough to hold a heavy fish, and it holds its shape whether you're using monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braided line.
This knot is useful when you want to attach a lure or leader using a loop-to-loop connection rather than tying directly to the eye. The loop gives you a little play in the connection, which can help a lure move more naturally in the water. It's also faster to change lures if you're using loop connections — you just unhook the old lure and hook in the new one without retying.
Key Takeaways
- The king sling knot creates a fixed loop at the end of your line that won't slip when a fish pulls hard.
- You tie it by doubling your line back on itself, wrapping the doubled section around the main line five to seven times, then threading the loop through the wraps and pulling tight.
- This knot works well with all line types, though braided line may need one or two extra wraps to hold securely.
- The loop it creates is strong enough for saltwater fishing and heavy freshwater species, and it's faster than retying when you want to swap lures.
How to Tie the King Sling Knot Step by Step
Start with about 6 inches of line extending past where you want the loop to end. Double the line back toward the spool, creating a loop that's roughly the size you want your finished knot to be. Hold the doubled section between your thumb and forefinger so the loop stands up away from the main line.
Take the tag end (the short piece you just doubled back) and wrap it around the main line five to seven times, working from the base of the loop toward the spool. Keep the wraps tight and neat — they should sit next to each other without overlapping. After your final wrap, thread the tag end back through the loop at the base, the same loop you've been wrapping around.
Pull the tag end to tighten the wraps, then grab the main line and the loop together and pull hard to cinch everything down. Trim the tag end close to the knot. The finished loop should be stiff and won't collapse or slip when you pull on it.
Why the Number of Wraps Matters
Five wraps is the minimum for monofilament and fluorocarbon line in the 10- to 20-pound range. If you're using heavier line or braided line, add one or two more wraps — braided line is slippery and needs extra friction to hold. If you're fishing light line (under 10 pounds), five wraps is usually enough, but you can add a sixth if you want extra security.
The wraps are what hold the knot together. Too few and the loop will slip under pressure. Too many and you're wasting time and line. The sweet spot is usually six wraps for most freshwater fishing, seven for saltwater or heavy line.
Loop-to-Loop Connections and When to Use Them
Once you have a loop at the end of your main line, you can attach a leader or lure that also has a loop by threading one loop through the other and pulling the lure or leader through. This connection is strong and lets the lure swing freely, which matters for topwater lures and soft plastics that need to move naturally.
Loop-to-loop is faster than tying a new knot every time you change lures, which is why many anglers use it for lure fishing. It's also useful when you want to attach a leader without tying it directly to your main line — you can loop a fluorocarbon leader to a braided main line and get the best of both.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most common mistake is not wrapping enough times. If your loop slips or collapses when you set the hook, you didn't wrap enough. Add wraps next time. The second mistake is wrapping too loosely — the wraps need to be snug against each other and against the main line, or they won't hold.
A third mistake is threading the tag end through the wrong loop. You have two loops: the one you want to keep (the finished loop) and the loop formed by doubling your line back. Thread the tag end through the doubled loop at the base, not through the finished loop itself. If you thread it through the finished loop, the knot won't hold.
Finally, don't trim the tag end too short. Leave at least a quarter-inch so the wraps don't unravel. Some anglers leave a little more and melt the end with a lighter if they're using monofilament, which adds extra security.
King Sling Versus Other Loop Knots
The surgeon's loop creates a loop by tying a knot in doubled line, and it's simpler to tie but takes up more line. The perfection loop is another option and creates a very small, neat loop, but it's harder to tie under pressure. The king sling sits in the middle — it's faster than a perfection loop, uses less line than a surgeon's loop, and holds just as well as either one.
If you're fishing in heavy current or saltwater where every bit of strength matters, the king sling is a solid choice. If you're fishing light line in calm water and want the smallest possible knot, the perfection loop might be better. Most anglers who fish regularly end up using the king sling because it's reliable and doesn't require much thought once you've practiced it a few times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the king sling knot with braided line?
Yes, but add one or two extra wraps because braided line is slippery. Seven or eight wraps is a good target for braided line in the 20- to 30-pound range. Test the knot by pulling hard before you fish — if it slips, you need more wraps.
How big should the loop be?
Make it large enough to thread a lure eye or another loop through easily, usually about the size of a dime or nickel. If it's too small, you'll have trouble connecting lures. If it's too large, it looks sloppy and uses more line than necessary.
Will the loop weaken my line?
No. A well-tied king sling knot is nearly as strong as the line itself. The wraps distribute the load so no single point bears all the stress. Test your knot by pulling hard before you fish if you're unsure.
Can I tie this knot with one hand?
Not easily. You need both hands to hold the loop, wrap the tag end, and cinch everything tight. Practice on the bank before you try it on the water, and don't rush — a slow, careful knot is better than a fast, loose one.
What's the best way to practice?
Use old line or practice line and tie the knot ten or twenty times in a row until your hands know the motion. Once it's muscle memory, you can tie it quickly and correctly even when you're tired or cold. Practice on the bank, not when you're actually fishing.