Knots. Loop Knot for Jerkbaits?

[JignPig2006]

Dave, or who may know?
What is the name of the knot you tie in jerkbaits to make the loop so they get more action? Is there a diagram somewhere online I can see the steps. Thanks?

[Dave Stewart]

Check out www.animatedknots.com The knot you are looking for is the Rapala knot.

[chunknwind]

Dave, great website. I was just asking Elwood about that loop knot the last time we were fishing. I will definitely be adding that to my favorites page. Cliff

[JignPig2006]

Hey I appreciate the website. It was a big help. What is you "normal" knot you use? I use the palamor knot, but sometimes seems to break on a real hard hook set? It was the one I learned from the start when I was young and is easy for me. whats you opinion?

[stratosjoe]

Kind of off subject but yesterday on some fishing show they suggested using a snap ring on your EWG hook with a senko or soft jerkbait if you are using heavy line, it provides more action. I am going to try it ....:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

[Dave Stewart]

Joe: A loop knot on those two applications will do the same thing and not add any additional weight to the rig.

[Dave Stewart]

I pretty much use the palamor...just make sure you wet it good before you cinch it down or you will burn the line and it will break on you on the hard hook set. I will say although I don't tend to use a lot of florocarbon line that when I do I use an improved clinch knot...florocarbon line tends to burn very easy.

[kc]

Dave,

I too primarily use the palomar knot for most applications - I can't say I have ever broken a knot off with the palomar. I have also tried the loop knot on jerk baits and shad raps but I didn't like it much in that I seemed to break off much easier -- especially on shad raps where the bait contacts bottom. Is there anything you do to deal with this or do you just live with the less strong loop knot? I have resorted to used duo-snaps which gives nearly as much action but is tied with a palomar.

kc

[Limit Out]

I usually use the Trilene knot for most applications. It works well with mono, braid and fluorocarbon. I think it is as strong or stronger than the Palomar. I use the Palomar for drop shot hooks since it seems to keep the hook more perpendicular to the main line. If you want to test the knot strength of the two knots you could tie one kind on one end of a line and the other knot on the other end then pull steadily until the line breaks. If you do that be careful because when that Palomar knot breaks, the line could snap back and hit you. I fished with a guy in a tournament on KY Lake who had done exactly that and he showed me the scar on his face where he was cut. I think you can be assured that either of the knots mentioned are great knots. Just tie the one you can tie easier even in low light or windy conditions. Lubricating the line (with saliva) is very important with both knots but the Palomar does seems to "burn the line" more easily. If your line has little curls just above the knot, it has been weakened. If that happens, cut it off and tie another knot.

[CTFSHWHISKER]

I hate to share my secrets but then again in todays fishing world there are no secrets but here goes :) :)
when your wife or lady of the house use the vaseline jar down to abot a 1\4 left steal it take it to the garage pour in your fish formula or anise scent or what ever scent you like mix it up melt it a little if you have too then when it jells back up put the conatiner in a zip lock bag place it in the boat use this to lubricate your knots and you are putting on the scent too,it works and i do not break the knots on hookset.i use the palomer and the improved clinch double looped through the eye.if you use the loop knot you need to remove the split ring if not the line gets hung where the ring splits,especially small diameter line and you may as well cut it with a knife 10lb will snap like 2lb when you set the hook or pull a crank bait tight.

[Dave Stewart]

Kevin: I find what you are saying to be true with some mono and florocarbon lines. I use copolymer lines so I don't seem to have that problem. What you brought up here is a good point...if you are going to use a loop knot you definitely need to check the breaking strength of the line you are using after you first tie the knot. I have tied that knot on some client's lines in the 8 to 12lb test range and I could break the know with very little pressure. I have been using Gamma copolymer this past season and have had fish up to 7lbs in the boat on 8lb test.

[kc]

That makes sense Dave. I have been using 8# Cabelas line which is just standard mono and works well for most applications. I think I will give copolymer a try for this application because the loop knot does give more action to a shad rap. The duo snaps are ok but tend to mute the action some much like tying directly to the lure.

kc