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How to tie the Indicator Knot

by LiangLishan 10 Jun 2025 0 Comments

How to Tie the Indicator Knot?

You ever have one of those knots that just feels right? Like, it’s not the fanciest or the strongest, but it’s got this weird charm—like an old pair of jeans that fit just right. That’s the indicator knot for me. I stumbled onto it years ago when I was messing around with some fishing line, trying to rig up something that’d tell me when a fish was nibbling without yanking the rod out of my hands.

Honestly, the first few tries were a disaster. I think I ended up with more of a tangled bird’s nest than anything useful. But then this old guy at the pier—gnarled hands, smelled like salt and coffee—leaned over and showed me the trick. "You’re overthinking it," he said, which, yeah, is basically the story of my life.

So here’s the thing: the indicator knot is all about leaving a little loop that sits loose until there’s tension. You start by doubling back a bit of the line, just enough to give yourself some slack to work with. Then you wrap it around itself—not too tight, not too loose—just enough so it holds but still slides if something tugs. The magic happens when you pass the end back through that first loop you made. It’s like a little secret handshake between the line and itself.

I remember the first time it actually worked. I was half-asleep, barely paying attention, and then bam—that loop jerked straight, and I nearly fell out of my chair. It’s not the most elegant system, but it’s reliable in that scrappy, duct-tape kind of way.

Now, I’ll admit, it’s not for everyone. If you’re the type who needs everything precision-engineered, this might drive you nuts. But if you like knots with a bit of personality, the kind that feel alive in your hands, give it a shot. Worst case, you end up with another bird’s nest, and hey, that’s half the fun anyway.

Sometimes I think knots are like stories—the best ones aren’t perfect, they’re just the ones that stick with you.

Use case: line to indicator

Also known as a "Thingamabobber" knot, the Indicator knot is a specialized knot used to securely attach an indicator to the leader or tippet.

Step 1
Make a loop
Make simple knot, don't tighten it yet, and make a loop by putting the line through the simple knot (again not yet tightening it).

Step 2
Put the yarn through the loop
Put the yarn or other material that you're using as an indicator through the loop.

Step 3
Pull to tighten
Pull on one end of the line to tighten the loop, securing the indicator into place.

 

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