I tied 367 snell knots this afternoon (well it felt like it anyhowz), and mission successful.





I was using my Whisker Seeker 30Ib mono main line just so I could see it better, and not a single failure so far. I am going to do the same using my 50Ib clear mono I use for my leaders next week now that I am more confident.

As I sit here reading this, and after talking to Bob about the one that got away, I know the heart ache that comes with losing a big fish, I think we all do. That feeling will focus you on fixing whatever the issue was that caused the loss. BCB IS and man on a mission now with laser focus on never allowing that to happen again.

I have a nugget to take away from this thread as well. It hit me just now while reading the comment above from Lewisville Catfishing. The quality of the knot will be better if you pre-tie your rigs in a more controlled environment than if you tie them as they break off with slimy hands. Brilliant! Simple, overlooked, I always thought pre-tied rigs were for tournament fishing when time was of the essence. This old dog just learned a new trick...

Once you start snelling them it becomes second nature. I snell mine the same here on the north Texas lakes as I do down on the coast for big drum.

Ok guys, want to share this.
I hope this works as a hyperlink. More on this in a few...

fishing knots

This isa good app. Now what I have had with the snell as well as the Palomar knots is with mono more so for the Palomar mono in general but especially for bigger lines like much over 17 pounds that knot once wet and used a few times is not good.

Bob,

Those knots look good. Keep it up!

And I agree with others on here, much easier to do them sitting on the couch, than trying to rush one while on the lake with cold wet hands. I try to keep a box of different length leader rigs made up, then just go from the swivel with pre-tied rigs when I need one.

Good luck all!

Ken

I like the Trilene knot myself for all mono lines, more wraps with the smaller size line. Less with the heavier line. The superbraid line the Palomar knot is the best going and easy enough to tie.

The the app above with a smartphone in the boat helps with all sorts of special situations and just when I have brain fog. Now I will admit I will sit around and mess with all sorts of sizes and types of lines, tying knots. Somewhat of a weakness I guess lol. But I not only want the strongest knot, I want them looking killer also.

Bluecat Bob

That pic of the fish with the hook and leader on this thread, that looks like a clinch knot, with the tag end of the line coming out the stack at the hook. One more step on this knot is the improved clinch know, it does lock on the line better, just no more than 5 wraps with 30 pound mono, which looks like what you got there.

I know, you guys like the spelled hook, heck I get it. I just have had those peel off leaving all those spring looking end that just makes all sick. I do know with all the hooks I have pulled whether snagged on something, pulling a fish or using my scales I test my different attempts or practices of knots, they all have one thing in common.

It's when I am trying to tie book text perfect and clip the tag end to freak'n close, I have just made myself quite that regardless of the knot. This stopped all my issues, even with my knots not so exact as I like them. Besides, that tag end left a 1/4" long, unless fishing clear water and line leary fish; is not an issue as opposed to pulling a hook just in my opinion.

I just got to have my double wraps of line through the hook eye and then basically it's a clinch knot. The Trilene knot has been the one I have been using on swivels and hooks. It's easy for me even boat pitching and rolling or just my shaky hands and fingers anymore. Cold hands them too, I even have about 7" piece of a sledge hammer handle I use to finish pulling my knots up snug, like with the Palomar and super braides or the heavier monk's to make darn sure even if I mess the knot up, it pulls good, least in the boat.

That piece of hammer handle also makes for a great way to either pull your snagged line into, or get back what you can. The best thing here I figure for any and all of us, darn sure don't cut that tag end to close lol. Then use a knot you like tying and comfortable with and have confidence in, this will make big strides.

You get time read some of the fishing knots on the app above, it's got the drawing of the knot as well as the automated view below the drawing. It's been a fun app for a gearhead like me anyway...

Rowdy, that link is a good one. It's good to have a number of different knots in your arsenal, especially if you're a fly-fisherman or you prefer the taste of salt. I did some research years earlier on knot strength tests and you'd be surprised at some of the results. Here's a link to some of the breaking strengths of the different knots. The Berkley Braid knot show to have the highest. I don't think that would be a good knot for anyone using heavy mono though. Just an added dimension to the different knot choices.

https://www.knotsforfishing.com/knot-strength-chart/

Question. Do y’all feel like you have better hook up ratios with snell knots on the hooks like Bob has listed above with the offset hook eyelets or is better to have the hook eyelets that are straight?

I know the pix of the orange line spelled knot, as well as any other knot and any designed single hook, you run the line through the open hook side. So those above are right opposite. Reason is it will have the open hook side can'ted or basically facing the prey we are after.

Sure the hook lays nice and flat and those knots pulled up tight and the tag end not cut to close are really great, by what I have read, you always run the line through the open end for the best open side of the hook up ratio. Just say'n.

Edit: the orange line is ran through the correct side of the hook. My apologies on me not paying closer attention to your detail sir. That's a great knot, but what is that orange line, mono or super braid and what pound is it?

I have some 80 pound yellow braid on a Shimano Calcutta 400 that I really like at night. That freaking orange I bet is awesome.

line through open side of hook, spelled 25 pound mono

The knot is tied through the open side of hook, you can see how the hook is facing and cant'ted. This applies to the straight shank and eye's hook as well as the bent hook eye. It just gives you an advantage when the prey takes the bait for a hook up.

Then I cut the tag end short right up against the spelled line smooth on the hook shank. My experience it's cut to short but this a text book tie. For what it's worth. I use my cut off short piece of hammer handle to pull all my knots hard to set, or the cleat on the boat I use to help me tie whatever knot...
Hopefully the hyperlink works, or it will in a edit.

Well, it did work, my block head got it lol. Just wanted to add, you guys need to know , if you don't already; I really enjoy messing with the knots to the N'th degree. Heck, who am I kidding, much as the boating, going fishing and even catching the fish. And yes it really hacks me off if I have a hook pull loose from the line.

Now I will say while I don't have them pull loose anymore, I have had them break right at the top of the knot.
I get pretty torqued about that as well, as that is from pulling the knot dry(without spit on it) and not pulling the tag end as you pull the standing line side nice and even. Best way for this after you spit and rub the spit into the knot, is have the hook, snagged to a cleat or something solid on the boat.

Then once you get this knot pulled good and even, really snub it tight and then cut the tag end a 1/4" long. Just my way of playing around with the freaking knots guys. Felt like I needed to inflict this all on you lol

Sweetwater,

I have not seen this site you posted. Thanks, love stuff like this. I got all into the knots once this guy addicted me to fly fishing. I was ever a normal person to begin with lol...

I feel I have hijacked this thread with all my comments about the knots, more than enough. So I must try to crawl back under the rock I need to stay under so as not to offend Bluecat Bob , as well as any of you others here. I am sorry to have just murdered your thread here Bob.