Loop Knots

[thetackletrap]

Hey guys. The last two years I've really incorporated a loop knot in my every day fishing. I use it inshore and offshore with just about any pound leader, just so that it is heavier then my runnning line. I use it on swimming plugs without a split ring, all jigs, and bare hooks for chunking and live baiting. It really seems to add alot of action to what ever is on the end of the line.

I'm just trying to get a feel of what some of you off shore junkies are using. I consider myself really good with knots and I know that a loop is not 100% every one I use breaks less then leader pound. So do you guys use that at all what do you think? I've been using a perfection loop knot that is used in fly fishing alot for connecting leaders. The reason I use it is because I can tie in any size loop that I want. It gives me the advantage of keeping it small. Most of the loops out there become too large in my opinion. I'll try to take a picture of it today and put it up here to show you.

[MakoMike]

IMHO the only two loop knots to use are the bimini twist or the spyder hitch. The spyder is much easier to tie, but doesn't give you as much double line.

[pitch bait]

I rarely use a loop but if i do it is the Australian braid. It looks dificult but is fairly easy to tie. There is no sinching and burning the leader. I believe it is 100% not positive. I have caught some monsters on it and never had a problem yet. I generally use it for top shots and wind ons. Either a loop to loop connection on my wind ons or a an albright on my top shots.

Hey Trap they have those new hooks with the ring through the eye of the hook I have been using those live baiting and chunking. It is made by Owner called the Ringed Mutu and the Ringed Super Mutu check them out.

[thetackletrap]

Yeh those ringed hooks are bad, I really like them cause they are heavy duty. Its just that this summer alot of the BFT's out there wouldn't touch anything over 40-50 leader and they wanted a small guage hook. I started with lighter Owner but switched to a Gamy because it was stronger.
I don't use this loop knot for anything but tying to the hook. If I;m connecting line I always use hollow core for big stuff or I double my line with a bimmini and attach it to the leader with different knots depending on the material. If I'm using a spectra line to a mono top shot I tie a bimmini in the spectra and connect it to the mono via a no-name knot. It breaks beyond 100% every time. If I go mono to mono I use a bimmini in the running line and then connect with a blood knot. I use to use an albright here but that knot can be inconsistant. The blood is good every time.

[Lil' Tunny]

I believe Trap is talking about the knot used to connect the hook, jig, lure.
I'm not a big fan of using a loop knot for offshore because the line only passes through the eye of the hook, jig, etc. once. I feel that knots that go through twice like the palomer or trilene offer better protection against rubbing and abrasion during long fights.
But the loop knots do give your offering a better action, usually resulting in more bites.
Check this guy out, he'll ring just about anything for you. www.ringedhooks.com

[thetackletrap]

Neat link LT. You try any of it yet? I also like the Palomer knot as well, it works time and time again. Well hell a bunch of times I fished it all day and the knot just keeps holding. Thats the problem using a loop knot. You have to retie it after awhile, because you can wear it thin. But it definately gives a nice presentation.

[thetackletrap]

Heres a picture of the perfection loop knot incorporated to a hook. I really like it because I can control the size of the loop. This is an Owner hook with 60lb. Big Game. If I used homers loop knot it would be double the size!

[MakoMike]

Ahh, TT for tying on hooks etc, I always use a palomar. Its as close to 100% and I can tie one in seconds even in the dark.

[thetackletrap]

Ahh, TT for tying on hooks etc, I always use a palomar. Its as close to 100% and I can tie one in seconds even in the dark.

Yep I use it too. Great knot and very strong. Its my go to knot if I have enough leader to work with. If its short, I may chose another knot.

[thetackletrap]

This is a picture of a bimmini to a blood knot. This is the connection that I use for lighter tackle that has mono running ling going to a heavier leader. The reason for doing this is because you have to double the smaller line. If you do not do this then the knot becomes less than 100% breaking strength. You can just tie a single line to another single line if the diameters are the same or very similar, but when there is a drastic difference in diameters than an extra knot like the bimmini or spider hitch is required. I personaly think the bimmini is much better. It requires practice to be made properly but when you have it down it can be tied in the dark moving on a boat. The whole idea behind good knots is that the weakest connection between you and the fish is the lightest pound test line on the reel. Hope this helps!!!