Tom Rowland | Two Turn Blood Knot for Tying Dissimilar Lines | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 177

Tom Rowland, professional fishing guide, TV host, and podcaster based in the Florida Keys, shares the two turn blood knot technique for tying dissimilar monofilament or fluorocarbon lines together. Whether you're connecting 20 pound to 10 pound test or tying a shock tippet onto lighter line, this knot solves a common problem every angler faces on the water. Tom reveals the specific turn counts that make this knot exceptionally strong, explains why he uses it by choice on his tarpon leaders, and shows how trout anglers can salvage a shortened leader without starting over. This is one of those techniques that feels simple once you know it but changes how you rig forever.

The Two Turn Blood Knot Technique

Tom gets straight to the problem: you're on the water and need to tie two dissimilar pieces of monofilament or fluorocarbon together. Maybe it's 20 pound to 10 pound, or in trout fishing, two x to four x. One line is significantly heavier than the other, and you don't have the intermediate size you need. Tom credits Rob Fordyce's tarpon book for this solution, calling it one of his favorite knots for this exact situation. The technique involves doubling the lighter line without a bimini, creating five turns with that doubled line, and making just two turns with the heavier line. The asymmetry is the key. Tom walks through the exact technique starting at 1:48.

Why Trout Anglers Need This Knot

For trout fishermen, this knot solves a specific problem. As your leader gets shorter and shorter throughout the day, you might find yourself with a two x leader that needs to go to four x tippet. Tom explains that the x system indicates tippet size, with eight x being the lightest at about 1.75 pound test and o x being the heaviest at around ten to twelve pounds. Most trout fishing leaders are knotless tapered, but when you run out of intermediate sizes, you need a reliable connection. Tom points out that while the best solution is putting on a completely new leader, you often find yourself in situations where you've run out of two x and three x. The trout fishing application and x system explanation starts at 3:42.

Tom's Choice for Tarpon Leaders

Here's where Tom reveals something significant: he doesn't just use this knot in emergency situations. He actively chooses the two turn blood knot for many of his tarpon leaders. When he says it's exceptionally strong, he's speaking from experience rigging leaders for one of the most demanding gamefish in saltwater. Tom calls it "a very strong knot, one that I like a lot," which coming from a professional guide speaks volumes about its reliability under pressure. The knot isn't just a backup plan—it's a primary rigging choice for serious fishing. Tom's endorsement of using this knot by choice for tarpon starts at 5:35.

Where to Find the Knot Instructions

Tom makes it easy to access this knot. He directs listeners to tomrolandpodcast.com and saltwaterexperience.com where they can find the two turn blood knot instructions. The knot is described as very easy to tie, which matches Tom's straightforward demonstration in this episode. For anglers who want a visual reference or step-by-step guide after hearing Tom explain it, these resources provide backup. It's part of Tom's broader approach to making fishing techniques accessible and repeatable for his audience. Tom shares where to find the knot instructions at 5:04.

Final Thoughts from Tom

This How 2 Tuesday episode is exactly what I love about fishing education—simple, practical, and immediately useful. The two turn blood knot is one of those techniques that once you add it to your skill set, you'll use it more than you expect. Whether you're on a trout stream and your leader gets short or you're rigging for tarpon in the backcountry, knowing how to reliably connect dissimilar lines expands what you can do on the water.

I learned this knot from Rob Fordyce's book years ago, and it's become one of my go-to connections. The fact that it's strong enough for tarpon fishing tells you everything you need to know about its reliability. It's not complicated—five turns with a doubled light line, two turns with the heavy line—but it makes a huge difference when you need it.

If you've ever been stuck on the water wishing you could connect two different line weights, this episode gives you the answer. Take a few minutes to learn this one. It's worth having in your arsenal.