Loop knots...what do folks like...and why?

[Further North]

I'm a big fan of loop knots when fishing baits like Rapalas and some others...they allow freedom of movement while maintaining line strength...

I lave them on a fly rod, especially for streamers on smallies...

I tend to wind up with a loop that too danged big...

What do you folks recommend and why?

[Bluebasser86]

A small snap. It allows the freedom of movement without the hassle of learning another knot or trying to get a loop knot to come out right. 

[MickD]

The loop knot is more reliable than a small snap, in my opinion.  The snap itself, especially in small sizes, is not that reliable, and the knot also can fail.

Practice your loop knot sliding the overhand down farther toward the lure to keep it the size you want, then finish it with the overhand knot somewhat small.  The Rapala Knot is very easy and reliable for any size hook or lure.  If you don't already know it, do an internet search for "Rapala Knot."

 

[lakeannaangler]

IMO the loop knot is worth learning because of the freedom it gives the lure. I really like it on walking baits like the sexy dawg and super spook.

[Dwight Hottle]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

The loop knot is more reliable than a small snap, in my opinion.  The snap itself, especially in small sizes, is not that reliable, and the knot also can fail.

Practice your loop knot sliding the overhand down farther toward the lure to keep it the size you want, then finish it with the overhand knot somewhat small.  The Rapala Knot is very easy and reliable for any size hook or lure.  If you don't already know it, do an internet search for "Rapala Knot."

 

So can your loop knot fail. I have used snaps for a least the last 30 years when fishing cranks, spoons, jerkbaits & other treble hook baits. Never had a problem I always use a quality snap of the proper poundage tied with a polamar knot & retie daily or more often if catching lots of fish. The wear & tear on a loop knot is greater than a metal snap. I have caught numerous trophy fish & never had a snap failure. Snaps by their very nature allow maximum movement of any bait. 

If you absolutely want to use a loop knot go for it but for me it's a snap every time. 

[Gundog]

I use a loop knot on topwater baits and jerkbaits. I have,in the past, used snaps but on one trip to a lake with a lot of pike I had a really bad experience with snaps. 4 times during a week long trip a pike hit my bait and the snap opened up. The snap was still attached to the line every time but opened. After it happened twice in one day I went out and bought larger size snaps also making sure I bought Spro snaps figuring it might be a quality issue. It happened again the next day. When it happened the 4th time I stopped using snaps and used a loop knot. The rest of the trip I didn't lose a single lure. Ever since I don't use snaps. I could because most lakes I fish don't have big pike in them but I just don't trust them anymore.

[MickD]

One can argue that quality snaps don't have problems, but you don't know you have a quality snap until it's too late. the original post said small snap, and small snaps are notorious, based on my experience, for problems.  I almost always use snaps, but check them often, and mostly use the medium and larger ones.  I too have had snaps open on fish.  Usually it's one I probably used too long, opened and closed it too many time.  I'm not against snaps, and I'm not advocating for loop knots over snaps, but the question was about loop knots.

Depends also on the type of snap.  Duolocks of the medium and larger sizes are a lot more reliable than the old fashioned straight ones.  And some snaps are almost impossible to get onto some lures, like surface lures with a concave face.  Loop knots do make a lot of sense for those lures.

[WRB]

If you perform a pull test on a loop knot it's not anywhere near 100% line strength, breaking where the loop is at the lure eye, not the knot.

The loop knot I use is the perfection loop on live bait hooks for various tunas and marlin because a snap or heavy line affects how the bait swims.

For most top water lures I tie direct and don't want the knot to move on the line tie eyelet.

Never had a snap fail on crankbaits, some swimbaits or spoons, about the only lures I use a snap on.

Tom

[MickD]

Tom is your data on loop knot strength with line grade  flouro?  I expect it is, as many flouros don't like to be kinked or bent sharply, as a loop knot will do at the hook eye.  I think they are pretty good with mono or leader grade flouro.