Using Rapala Lures/split Rings

[mslblue]

I have been fishing for about 2 years and I'm mostly self taught. I have bought about 5 Rapala lures (xrap, xrap shad shallow, jointed, skitter pop, and shallow shad rap). I also have the ultra light minnow and jointed shallow shad rap on the way. I am trying to figure out the best way to tie the lures to my line without affecting the action of the lure. I noticed the X-raps, SR, DT, and ULM, and JSSR comes with split rings on the lures, but when I've tied my line to those split rings, the knots failed and I lost several lures. I think it has to do with the knot grinding on he split ring weakening the knot. I read online that some recommended the rapala loop knot which I've been trying. Does that mean use the rapala knot without the split ring? However, I'd like to have a setup where I can change all my lures out quickly as I experiment. The rapala loop knot takes me several times to get a good knot, so this can be frustrating when I want to change lures fast. The setup I most recently tried was starting with a rapala knot on my line attached to the split ring and then I just change out the lures using that same split ring. However, I think the Jointed and Shallow Shad Rap are not meant for split rings, correct? Is a rapala knot PLUS a split ring redundant? Can that create "too much action" with the lure? What's the best method for changing out the lures easily without hurting the action? Would you recommend fishing clips? What's the best way to tie line to a split ring? Should I just use rapala knots on all lures? Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks!

[Sea NaCl]

If a lure does not have a split ring tie a canoe mans loop knot directly to the lure. If the lure has a split ring on it tie the loop knot very tight on the ring and you should not have a problem. I would not recommend using a snap on any lures as it seems to impede the lures action. Heres a video on how to tie the canoe mans loop knot, it is much faster than the Rapala knot. Good Luck!

 

[John G]

I tie a Bill Norman Speed Clip on my line and I remove the split ring on my lures. I attach the Speed Clip to the lure and roll with that.

[EvanT123]

You can use snaps on all of them bit if you as losing fish and lures it's not the split ring it's your knot.

[papajoe222]

I used the Rapala knot for years until the old eyes made tying knots a bit of a hassle.  It's simple to tie and allows the bait the freedom to move easily. Wish I would have known about that canoe mans loop.

[SirSnookalot]

I use a lure as it comes out of the package, don't add or eliminate a split ring.  Most of the time in freshwater I use a duolock, in saltwater I always tie.  I tie a loopknot but make a second wrap, very easy and fast.

[WIGuide]

Fish them as is out of the package. If it comes with a split ring you can tie directly to it and do it tightly without any loop. If it comes without tie some sort of loop knot. Also don't swap split rings to switch lures. You'll wear the split rings out and they'll break on you. Also, as someone else mentioned, if you busting off, it's most likely due to the knots your tying, or you're using too light of line. 

 

On a side note, welcome to the forums, If you haven't already, head on over to the introductions section and introduce yourself!

[ib_of_the_damned]

I switch all of my split rings to the oval split rings. They keep the knot away from the split.