Free eBook Coming Soon. Sign Up for Early Access!

Surgeon’s Loop Knot

Updated on:

The Surgeon’s Loop Knot is one of the fastest ways to create a fixed loop at the end of a fishing line.

It’s perfect for attaching leaders, tippets, or lures and making loop-to-loop connections.

To tie this knot, you just tie a loose Overhand Knot, pass the bight through the loop twice, lubricate it, and cinch the knot tight.

Let’s learn it in detail.

Surgeon’s Loop Knot Details

Type: Loop Knot

Other Names: Double Surgeon’s Loop, Surgeon’s End Loop

ABoK reference: Not Available

How to Tie a Surgeon’s Loop Knot

The Surgeon’s knot is just a Double Overhand Knot with a bight of rope.

Here’s how you can tie this knot step by step:

  1. Form a bight at the end of the line.
  2. Tie an Overhand Knot.
  3. Pass the bight through a second time.
  4. Hold the standing line and the tag line and pull to tighten the knot.
  5. Trim the tag end.
TIP

If you want it even stronger, you can try the Triple Surgeon’s Knot. Just tie the loose Overhand Knot and pass the bight of rope through the loop twice. It is more secure, but also makes the knot bulkier.

Surgeon’s Loop Knot Step by Step

SURGEON'S-LOOP-KNOT-STEP-BY-STEP
Image: Surgeon’s Loop Knot Diagram

Pros & Cons

  • Quick and easy to tie
  • Strong and secure
  • Retains a high percentage of line strength
  • Makes the knot bulkier
  • Slightly offset from the main line.

Application and Uses

The Surgeon’s Loop Knot is perfect when you need a fixed loop that stays put.

Here’s when you can use this knot:

  • Attach an artificial lure or fly so it can move naturally.
  • Make a loop to loop connection, like connecting the leader to the fly line.
  • In search and rescue operations, you need to create a strong fixed loop, but it’s impossible to untie the knot later.

Other Alternatives

Perfection Loop

The Perfection Loop is not as secure as the Surgeon’s Loop Knot, but it is neat and aligns perfectly well with the leader.

Bimini Twist

The Bimini Twist retains almost the entire strength of the line. 

It also creates a loop at the end of the line, which is used for loop-to-loop connections.

But, it’s not as simple as the Surgeon’s Loop Knot and is a lot trickier to tie.

Spider Hitch

The Spider Hitch also creates a loop at the end of the line.

It’s easier to tie than the Bimini Twist, but it is not durable and effective on small-diameter lines. It retains the same line strength as Bimini Twist on mono lines.


Liked the article? Share the article or Bookmark it so you don’t have to hunt it down later!

🎉 Free Ebook: The Most Essential Knots 🎉

Master the essential knots with clear, step-by-step instructions and illustrations! Download our free ebook "The Most Essential Knots"—perfect for beginners and outdoor enthusiasts.

Download Your Free Ebook Now

Leave a Comment

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

racking-bend-diagram-how-to-tie-a-racking-bend-knot-step-by-step

Bend Knots

Racking Bend

The Racking Bend is a secure knot for joining ropes of different diameters. Stronger than a Double Sheet Bend, it grips tightly and resists slipping.

double-coin-knot-diagram-how-to-tie-a-double-coin-knot-knotspedia

Decorative Knots

Double Coin Knot

The Double Coin Knot is an ancient Chinese decorative knot, easy to tie, beautiful, and often used in jewelry, crafts, and traditional Chinese knotting.

celtic-button-knot-diagram-how-to-tie-a-celtic-button-knot-knotspedia

Decorative Knots, Stopper Knots

Celtic Button Knot

The Celtic Button Knot is a simple single-strand stopper knot used in jewelry, lanyards, and decorative rope projects. Step-by-step guide.

zeppelin-loop-knot-diagram-how-to-tie-a-zeppelin-loop-knotspedia

Loop Knots

Zeppelin Loop

The Zeppelin Loop is a secure, jam-resistant knot that forms a fixed loop. Strong under load, yet easy to untie, it’s used in climbing, rigging, and rescue.

jury-mast-knot-diagram-how-to-tie-a-jury-mast-knot-knotspedia

Decorative Knots

Jury Mast Knot

The Jury Mast Knot secures a temporary mast at sea, forming firm loops to hold stays and shrouds. Once vital for sailors, it’s now also used decoratively.

carrick-bend-mat-diagram-carrick-mat-image-how-to-tie-a-carrick-bend-mat-knotspedia

Decorative Knots

Carrick Bend Mat

The Carrick Bend Mat is a decorative knot from the Turk’s Head family, perfect for mats, pads, or woggles. Simple to tie and stylish in design.