Doubled lengths of line are common in sport and game fishing. They offer increased knot strength and abrasion resistance at the working or terminal end of the line.

Very short doubles, sometimes called 'droppers', are also useful for connecting sinkers or hooks to bottom fishing rigs.

Spider hitch ASpider hitch
This knot, also called the 'Cairns Quickie', is very fast and simple to tie once mastered, but not quite as strong as the Bimini Knot (described below).

   1. To tie a Spider Hitch, double the required length of line, then form a backhand loop at the top end as shown, holding the loop between your thumb and forefinger.

   2. Next, take the doubled length of line and wrap it five or size times around the end of your thumb, working from the back towards the front, with each turn ahead of the last.
      Spider hitch B
   3. Now, take the end of the double, pass it through the loop, lubricate, and pull tight slowly, allowing the turns to slip off your thumb one at a time. Draw tight, test, and trim the tag to a millimeter or two.