Why Snell a Hook?

General Fishing Discussion
1

I find I am constantly learning new things about fishing, rigs, gear etc… Even if I don’t have the time to employ this new found knowledge I still enjoy learning and hope I will retain it to use when I do have the time.

My question is, why do you snell a hook? What is the advantage and in what instances would you snell vs a standard clinch or some other knot?

Thanks

“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.

2

You may have noticed my post about circle hook points sticking into live bait, with a loop knot. I am thinking snelled hooks might be better about this??? But I hope others weigh in on this. After doing it a few times, snelling is as easy and quick as tying most knots. And it looks sexy. One question is whether it is stronger?
OM

3

snelling is def easier when the other end is loose…I try to snell circle hooks with offset eyes so they “lay flat” down the leader, if that makes any sense…but again, I don’t know how to tie them unless the other end of the line or leader is loose…this is the best, quick example I could find…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbkBjiEOFio

The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org

4

Here ya go DFreedom & Bonzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qxXg8ztX07M#t=217

I never snell DF never needed to myself.

5

great info. I’m gonna tie a few of these this weekend.

1971 NEWPORT DAYSAILER 21’
1970 MAKO CC 22’

6

Okay, now I see how to do it. The question remains, Why snell? Is it stronger than traditional knots used to attach hooks, etc…? If not, what is the advantage or why do it?

“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.

7

Here you go D!

http://www.fishing.sh/htmfiles/knots/snelling.html

Kind of looks like the wraps on the shank, not only grip it but give more area to hold or cushion the line around the base of the hook eye! Maybe a lot less stress than just 1 tie around the eye with a conventional knot?

That’s all I got:face_with_head_bandage::frowning_face:

8
quote:
Originally posted by DFreedom

Okay, now I see how to do it. The question remains, Why snell? Is it stronger than traditional knots used to attach hooks, etc…? If not, what is the advantage or why do it?

</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>

snelling hooks is 4.975 times stronger than regular bowtie knot…and it keeps clowns from getting under your bed at night…

The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org

9

I use the snell knot for Sheepshead fishing with J hooks (Gamakatsu Octopus #1) the eye is bent back.
It keeps the line and hook shank in line with each other and I think provides better feel of the bite.

Snell can be done with a loose line or not.

If you dont have a loose end…

Put line through eye, make a large loop, put line back through eye.
Hold the hook and lines by the eye,
Twist the loop and put the pointy end through the loop
Repeat building the twists onto the shank
Once you have enough (6 or so depending on line thickness).
Pull lines tightening the loops onto the shank.
nip off excess.

Fast, easy, little waste.

10
quote:
snelling hooks is 4.975 times stronger than regular bowtie knot

I think you made this part up. The other part I believe.

Thanks Gents!

“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.

11

i use the de-bro snelling tool.
http://shop.proseriesfishing.com/p/kwik-tie-hook-sneller
i have 2 of the red and 1 of the black…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QZSxzIB9QE&feature=kp

personally i like the snell… on a turned eye hook it does help pull directly thru the hook… this with a circle hook does seem quite nice on hookups…

i think its a solid system… its trying to pull the mainline backthru itself past 4-5 loops that would be applying pressure in a fight…

12

I like the loop knot best? Tight lines?

13

The worst thing you can do to fishing line is tie a knot…but you gotta do it! Snell knot is one of the few knots that has one of the strongest holds but does not weaken the line. Using hooks with a bent eye make it even better when the line is tight. There is an app for that! I use knots by grog to learn knots. It has animation to show the steps and it’s great to have on trips. Regardless of what knot you tie it’s critical to wet your knot prior pulling it tight.

My next favorite knots are the palomar knot and rapala knot

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

14
quote:
Originally posted by DFreedom

…My question is, why do you snell a hook?..

</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>They do different things than the other knots.

Why do I snell a hook? Quick knot that gives me a direct connection to a hook that I don’t want to swivel and where the ‘play/retrieve’ is likely to be short. Like gig poles and cane poles. I use swivel/ loop knots for wary fish. They might not seem like it but, blue fish and spanish and trout are wary fish.

15

A snell tied effectively on a circle hook increases the hookup ratio by putting pressure on the hook to turn into the fishes jaw as it is designed to do.

16
quote:
Originally posted by skinneej

A snell tied effectively on a circle hook increases the hookup ratio by putting pressure on the hook to turn into the fishes jaw as it is designed to do.

Ummmm WHAT? The hook TURNS into the jaw?!?!
17
quote:
Originally posted by skinneej

A snell tied effectively on a circle hook increases the hookup ratio by putting pressure on the hook to turn into the fishes jaw as it is designed to do.

this. ditto for mosquito sheephead hooks.

18
quote:
Originally posted by skinneej

A snell tied effectively on a circle hook increases the hookup ratio by putting pressure on the hook to turn into the fishes jaw as it is designed to do.

That’s what I’ve been told.

Try an experiment:
Tie a hook on your line any ole way and then drag the hook and line across your palm and down the pinky finger side of your palm. It might grab meat or it might not grab meat.

Now, snell a hook and drag the hook and line across your palm and down the pinky finger side of your palm. It’s gonna grab meat.

“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad

Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 19 year old (boy of leisure)
1 - 1 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)

ECFC

19

Snelling does not prevent double hooking live minnow bait. To prevent this, use a small piece of plastic worm or grub and place it on the hook just past the barb after hooking the bait.

20

Tie whatever you are comfortable with… confidence is everything.

I tie Palomars for just about everything - up to 100# line. Palomars are easy, fast and plenty strong… can’t say we have and issues with hooking up, the rigs catch plenty of fish.