How-To Tie An Arbor Knot Before Spooling Up Your Reel

Below is our step-by-step guide for tying an arbor knot, arguably one of the best knots to provide a secure and reliable line connection to your reel's spool.

By Tackle Warehouse Staff

Publish Date February 2026

An arbor knot is an excellent choice for attaching line to your fishing reel. Applicable for both spinning and baitcasting reels, the arbor knot is easy to tie and ensures a solid connection. Read on below for our step-by-step instructions (with pictures) to learn exactly how to tie an arbor knot.

Arbor Knot: Step 1

Tie a Small Overhand Knot on the End of Your Line

Tie a basic overhand knot, nothing fancy here. Leave a little bit of line for a tag end, about an inch will do.

Arbor Knot: Step 2

Wrap Your Line Around the Spool

Make a "U" shape with your line around the spool. One hand holding the mainline and the other hand holding the tag end.

Arbor Knot: Step 3

Start Another Overhand Knot to Make a Small Loop

Take your tag end over the mainline like you are tying another overhand knot.

Arbor Knot: Step 4

Run the Tag End Through the Loop

Once the tag end has been brought through, you will end up with a circle in the middle as pictured above.

Arbor Knot: Step 5

Cinch the Knot and Pull It Tight

Grab the tag end and the mainline to effectively cinch the knot that you just tied.

Arbor Knot: Step 6

Cinch Both Knots to the Spool

Pull the mainline until your two knots meet each other and are tight against the spool.

Arbor Knot: Step 7

Cut the Tag End and Start Spooling Your Line

Congratulations your arbor knot is complete! You can now begin to fill your spool with line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an arbor knot used for?

An arbor knot is specifically used for attaching fishing line to your spool. Any time you are putting new line on your reel you can tie an arbor knot to the get the process started.

What are the best types of line to use with an arbor knot?

An arbor knot works best with monofilament and fluorocarbon lines.

Can I use braid with an arbor knot?

Yes, however slipping can occur with a braided line. If you are using braid as your mainline, we recommend putting a piece of electrical tape on the spool to prevent your braid from slipping. Alternatively you can use a few yards of a cheap monofilament line for backing, then tie a connection knot to your braided mainline.