Split ring vs Loop knot on crankbaits/top water

[Todd2]

I've never been a loop knot guy, but played around last night watching a few videos on loop knots and picked it up pretty quick. Anybody here remove split rings and tie loops? Any advantages? I'm guessing there is no reason to do both?

[deep]

There is a good reason *not* to do both though. (The line will get caught in the split of the split ring.)

[BobP]

I generally remove the split ring and use a Norman Speed Clip.  A good cross snap also works well but is impossible to use on some crankbaits if the have the line tie out on the lip on a dimple, like many jerkbaits.

[boostr]

I tie my loop knot to the split ring and never had a problem.

[Todd2]

59 minutes ago, boostr said:

I tie my loop knot to the split ring and never had a problem.

Do you notice more action with the loop knot? 

[Gundog]

Loop knot. You can make it small enough as to not get caught in the hooks. 

[boostr]

4 minutes ago, Todd2 said:

Do you notice more action with the loop knot? 

Yeah definitely. 

[WRB]

I agree with Deep. All split rings, including oval shape, have sharpe ends that will damage your line unless the knot is tight preventing movement and a loop knot allows the line to freely move. 

I rarely use loop knots for a few reasons, the line wears quickly and knot strength is marginal. I do use the perfection loop knot when live bait fishing for salt water fish and the Rapala knot on the original Rapala balsa minnow lures.

Crank baits I prefer using strong light weight clips like Berkley cross link or Owner Hyper weld.

Tom

[Todd2]

53 minutes ago, WRB said:

 and the Rapala knot on the original Rapala balsa minnow lures.

 

Tom

 

The Rapala knot seems to be the strongest of the few that I tried.  I'm going to give it a whirl on one of my Rapala's. I tried a Canoeman Loop knot too,  it's a little easier but doesn't seem as consistent as the Rapala for me.

 

Thanks for the responses...

[lo n slo]

rapala knot for me

[Cranks4fun]

Just saw this and thought I would share my experience. I still use that Rapala knot but only on Rapala floaters and ultralight cranks. It has served me well for many years. I have started putting Eagle Claw OVAL 36 lb. split rings on most my other cranks. The reason is that I want to avoid tying in the split gap of the oval ring and on round rings it takes much more effort to avoid. In addition, as you use the bait with the round split ring, the knot can move into the gap increasing the chances of losing the bait. I use duolock clip too on occasion. I have used these in conjunction with split rings and I have noticed no issues. Some of my cranks (Timber Tigers, Speed traps, etc.) come with duo-locks  and I usually leave them that way. I have never, repeat never, had on fail. If I were fishing for trophy stripers or spoonbills I might reconsider. 

[bigbill]

I only use split rings were I can't get my locking ball bearing snap swivel in the loop on the bait. I can't tie knots that good anymore plus fishing at night it's faster to change baits, plus I get more wobble with the ball bearing snap swivels,

 

i run the line three times through loop then clinch it.

 

[Angry John]

Two good options I like the owner welded snap.  You can also add an owner solid ring and tie to that.  I don't do it on crank baits but I do on large swimbaits

[Crestliner2008]

I'm curious about the loop knot usage. The purpose is to afford the lure you are using as much action as the designer intended. I believe that to be correct, which is another reason most lures come with the split ring. However, a free floating lure eye rubbing against the loop knot, does give me a great deal of confidence that it will not wear the line in the loop - probably sooner than later. Line should not be freely rubbed by anything, to maintain the integrity of that line. This is why I remove the split rings on all my lures, tie a snap securely to my line, and use the snap instead of the split ring for my lure attachment. JMO Folks!