Snell Knot

[Micropterus salmoides]

Is there a difference in the strength of the Snell Knot or hook setting effectiveness if the line runs under the hook eye like in the first picture:


or on top of the hook eye like in the second picture:

[Jason C.]

Your second picture doesnt work, or atleast it doesn't for me that is. But to me its not a true "Snell" not if its not ON the shank of the hook. If its above the eye its just a "Uni Knot" or "Surgens Knot" I dont think there is a difference in strength or hook setting power between the two, but most will use the snell when punching. The main reason (for me) to use the snell while punching is simply to prevent the knot from slipping through the gap where the eye joins the hook. It also might help keep a bait on from slipping down as well. I hope this helps!

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

There is something wrong about the second group of pictures..If those are designed as a how to example, they do a really poor job of it..Just looking at the pictures, I can't figure out that they have tied a knot at all..I know there are several ways of making a snell..

mac

[tunaman]

You're right, of course. Tie it as shown, and the line will just pull free through the eye - no knot to hold the standing line.

The first diagram is the proper way to tie a snell, IMHO.

Roger

[BigBassWorks]

boy I sure miss Cooch...

this new Roger Mod guy....sucks.

[tunaman]

Thanks.

Not sure what being a moderator has to do with it... that was my input as a fellow Nutcase. Sorry you don't agree.

Roger

[brambo0311]

Thats not a snell knot. At least nothing like I ever tied or seen. Either one. Google it and look at a one. A snell is more of a noose around the shank. You have to see it but it doesnt get tied like that. Either way flourocarbon dont work well with that knot. Tie a true snell around the shank and cut off the tag and the main, (its just help hold the bait from slipping down anyway IMO.) Then just tie a palomar with every line and you will have far less issues.

I think Big Bass was trying to say something like that in far less words.

We should start a thread on things you want to know but are afraid to ask. Like dont piss into the wind, and mount the horse dont let the horse mount you. Anyways it might help a few of us out instead of sending a bunch of people on the road to knot failure.

[Brian]

http://www.netknots.com/html/snell_knot.html

[brambo0311]

http://www.animatedknots.com/snell/index.php

Its supposed to have the main incased in the knot. Not swinging in the wind.

[tunaman]

Here's the animated illustration:

http://www.animatedknots.com/snell/index.php

I like the animated site... pretty decent learning aid.

Roger

[tunaman]

Hehehe... good site brambo

[brambo0311]

When it all comes down to it a palomar IMO is the only knot you should tie for almost every thing. It works on braid, mono, flouro and the dog leash and is the strongest. I dont think a snell is stronger, just holds your beaver on better when punching. But shrink tubeing makes a better keeper. I have seen knot test machines and guys were tieing there best knots. The palomar won every time.

[Alex M.]

1st pic is CORRECT....
That will get you a positive hookset in the roof of the mouth about 90+% of the time when your flippin...and it protects you knot from those heavy tungsten weights...

[kopper_bass]

Micro,
The term "to snell a hook" just means to actually tie the line directly to the shaft, quickly. there are several knots you can use to "snell a hook".

The top pictures are actually using the "uni" knot to snell the hook.

The 2nd set of pictures are trying to do something, but the diagram is very poor between step 1 and 2, so not sure exactly what knot that is.

another version of the snell knot is more like a a noose, where the line is looped, then twisted around the shaft, until the end loop is then slipped over the hook and sinched down.

[albumimg]379[/albumimg]

For all practical purposes though, most people use the uni knot, as shown in the top image. its fast, easy and effective.

Kopper_Bass

[Micropterus salmoides]

I actually had the photo from http://www.animatedknots.com/snell/index.php as my second image, but changed it.

I'm using the Snell Knot, or more accurately, the Uni Knot to snell the BMF hook, which I intend to use for punching. I had been using an EWG hook with a palomar but was missing quite a few fish so I decided to try the BMF. Many people recommended snelling the hook instead of a palomar.

If you notice in the first picture I posted when beginning the knot the line is passed under the front of the hook eye.



In the second picture the line is passed over the front of the hook eye.



Ultimately, I wanted to find out if one version is stronger than the other and if having the line under vs over affects the hookset.

[Chaozu]

The first picture is misleading because the eye is bent forward a bit. I always tie that not when using a worm hook, especially on mission fish. I dont think it matters if you start the line under or above the hook eye. This is how I do it. Marty showed me this knot.

[DeltaDan]

This "snell" is left with a adjustable back-loop for using Roe in Salmon and Sturegon fishing primarially.

[tunaman]

It depends on the hook. One direction will cause the force to pull the point forward, the other will cause the point to pull backwards, unless the eye is offset. Many more missed hooksets with the standing line running through the front on a perpendicular eye.

Roger

[tunaman]

This "snell" is left with a adjustable back-loop for using Roe in Salmon and Sturegon fishing primarially.

I understand the backloop, but in those pictures I don't see the actual tie... might just be missing it. The tag line runs down the shank of the hook, and the standing line is passed around the shank and the standing line, then passed through the eye of the hook. Pull on the standing line and it will just unravel, as it isn't passed through a loop to create the tie. Also note that this knot would have to be used for leaders, as it wouldn't be possible to tie it on a spooled reel.

Roger

[BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER]

OK I just started the snell/BMF thing myself so my experience is limited w it.......but here goes

I was confused by the second set of pics too,, but I think Dan got it right and cleared things up fer me.......... I tie direct (no leader) so the second set of photo's don't work fer me.... it really looks like the same knot to me just tied backwards in the pics

As fer the first set of photo's,,,,,, the line tie on the hook in the pic is bent towrds the hook point,,,,where as the line tie on the BMF (as w almost all bass/worm hooks) is straight in-line with the shank.......... that's why the example shows the line going through the line tie the way it does........ on the BMF, if you first pass the line over (not under) the top part of the line tie then into the line tie hole,, what will happen is when you set on a fish, the hook point will actually move out in the direction of the point like a scorpions tail..... that's a good thing for hooking more fish......... if you tie the other way (goin under first) the hook point will move away from the fish on the set.... no bueno

[DeltaDan]

Yes- The 2and illistration is for tying Leaders that are typically 6' +/- for mooching rigs, boondogglin or sliding sinker using roe. That is where most people got confused by the pic of 2B.


(The J and Circle hooks gave that one away from the get-go. )

[civicrr]

on the BMF, if you first pass the line over (not under) the top part of the line tie then into the line tie hole,, what will happen is when you set on a fish, the hook point will actually move out in the direction of the point like a scorpions tail..... that's a good thing for hooking more fish.........

Sorry, still a little confused.

If the line is coming from the tip of the rod does it go through the front/'hook' side of the eye & tie to the shank.

[Micropterus salmoides]

I assume that BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER was referring to this picture, or something similar, which shows the line being passed over the line tie.

[tunaman]

FYI - the graphic can't display due to security settings on the Animated Knots website.

Roger

[Marty]

Let me join in – I use the Uni knot to make the Snell on the shaft of my hooks as kopper_bass stated. It looks just like pic one (But I use a different hook – Owner Wide Gap Plus) but I entry the eye of the hook on the other side. I hold the hook (horizontal) with the pointed end up and thread my line into the eye as it is facing up while holding the hook parallel (the line goes into the eye on the same side of the pointed end) – I think I said that ok – I mean I read it five times and it sounds good.

The rest is the same as the pic. Plus I do leave a longer tag then the pic shows.

The Shell knot is not the best knot for all situations but I do use it for two reasons. It protects your knot from the weight as Alex stated and I believe it gives me leverage in pulling the point of the hook upwards. I don’t use this knot if you are not going to cover the eye of the hook into the bait. You nick one of the rolls around the shaft and it will come apart.

As for the animated illustration, it will work but it takes to long for me to tie.

I mainly use this knot for punching matt and I’m starting to use it on my worms setups!
I recommend not using this knot it does not work

Dang – you need a thick skin to post this days it must be the election season.

[BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER]

[quote=

Sorry, still a little confused.

sorry, I'm not a wordsmith and I'm not smart enough to post a graphic either....... tie it both ways,,, hold the weight in one hand and pull the line (like a hook set) w the other,,,, you'll see exactly what I'm talkin about

[civicrr]

ha, ha, gonna have to do that. I will practice the Uni & the animated knots version.

I saw Ish Monroe @ a seminar @ FW in Manteca. He was demo'ing how to snell the BMF. It was super simple. Wish i could remember how he did it.

Thanks for the info/help.

[bassindon69]

The hook eye is bent forward in the first pick. That would be why the line is past through the back of the hook. Most of the time when this knot is used the hook eye is bent forward or backward. The line should go strait through. I have even used this knot as a drop shot years ago.
The line eye bent forward and the line goes through the back, bent back and the line goes through the front. If there is no bend in the eye use another knot

Don.