Snell knots

[C.Rig21]

Anyone tying snell knots regularly for bass fishing (or other types of fishing)? I've always had a problem trusting them because of the line butting up against the jagged edge of the eye of the hook. Is this actually a problem when fighting large fish?

[Mike L]

Always, for every bottom contact presentation! No need for any others. 
 

Before I started using more hooks with a keeper, I’ve never had a problem or even the concern you have. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[J._Bricker]

I snell my wacky rig octopus hooks as I believe the hook eye is perfect for a snell knot. I figured it’s no different than the old package of pre tied Eagle Claw hooks I used as a kid and just as effective. I have stopped using a snell knot on my punch rig, opting to use the San Diego jam knot. In doing so I believe it has increased my hook up ratio with that technique.

[casts_by_fly]

I do on straight shank worm hooks when pitching. Otherwise no. 

[J Francho]

The snell knot was used before hook eyes existed. The end was mashed, flanged, and a snell was the only way to connect it. In my opinion, the ONLY time to use a snell is when the eye is angle the toward the hook point. This is pretty much never the case with artificial bait bass hooks. That said, a snell is a very strong connection, and I don't necessarily feel it's a mistake to use it. It just isn't necessary. 

[Mike L]

Agree

But the cam effect for single hook presentations can be an advantage if tied right. 

 

 

 

Mike

[J Francho]

I'll take your word for it.  I snelled for years.  Doesn't really make a difference once the fish is hoisted over the gunnel.  The same way you get confidence by using it, I don't lose any skipping it.  I can't fault anyone for that.

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings All,

@C.Rig21 The answer you seek is best determined by your situation and observations. This is in regards to the hooks you are using and how close the fishing line is to that jagged area of the hook eye. Because the snell knot and other knots are cinched down there is a limited amount of line movement. Based on simply "wiggling" the line at extreme angles are you able to get the line close to the hazard? That should help you determine what level of risk you are willing to accept.

In the past I've had concerns with the jagged opening on the hook eyes too. On a few rare occasions I've had times where after successfully catching a fish I find the knot loop slid all the way over to that open area of the eye. So I simply retie rather than risk simply repositioning a possibly compromised knot loop. BTW: I'm generally using 4 pound mono so both the hooks and line are on the small size.

 

I'm encouraging keeping a keen eye on things. If there is a concern retie, or try a different hook. Be well and cheers!

[Bankc]

I used to snell hooks when I wanted that cam action.  The idea being that as the line was pulled tight, by going through the front of the eye on the hook, it would slightly kick out the hook to get better penetration.  But, I've gotten away from that in recent years.  Mostly due to just laziness.  And I haven't noticed a big difference either way.  I've certainly never had an issue with it sliding up into the eye enough to damage the knot. 

 

Maybe I'll do it again, now that I'm thinking about it.  A good snell knot is a strong knot, so I have no worries about using it.  And it's easy enough to tie.  But the more I fish, the less I think about knots. 

[bulldog1935]

I have a snell knot to show off, titanium wire on a stinger hook.  

 

[Mike L]

42 minutes ago, Bankc said:

But the more I fish, the less I think about knots. 

Thats me!

I tie 3 different knots total for everything I throw. 
 

It’s like everything else in bass fishing for me…plastics, lures, lines, rods etc.

 

I stay with what I know. 

 

 

Mike

[J Francho]

@bulldog1935 those rigs are not too far off the quick strike rigs I used for live baiting northerns way back in the day. They allowed you to set the hook right after the strike and hopefully allow a better release with no gut hooking you see with live baiting. They mostly worked. 

[bulldog1935]

@J Francho I've tied a few on fluoro loop-knot, also, for freshwater, of course, with snell knot to the stinger hook -

- the titanium wire rig is for toothie salt fish eating winter glass minnows.  

[woolleyfooley]

On 9/22/2024 at 9:40 AM, Mike L said:

Always, for every bottom contact presentation! No need for any others. 
 

Before I started using more hooks with a keeper, I’ve never had a problem or even the concern you have. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I’m assuming you don’t snell an ewg hook do you? @Mike L

 

I personally use straight shank “flippin” hooks for most of my Texas rigs and anytime I use a straight shank I use a snell knot.

On 9/22/2024 at 2:57 PM, J._Bricker said:

I snell my wacky rig octopus hooks as I believe the hook eye is perfect for a snell knot. I figured it’s no different than the old package of pre tied Eagle Claw hooks I used as a kid and just as effective. I have stopped using a snell knot on my punch rig, opting to use the San Diego jam knot. In doing so I believe it has increased my hook up ratio with that technique.

Interesting. Are you using a straight shank flippin hook on your punch rigs? @J._Bricker

[J._Bricker]

2 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

 

Interesting. Are you using a straight shank flippin hook on your punch rigs? @J._Bricker

I am @woolleyfooley, a Trokar straight shank flipping hook, either a 3/0 or 5/0 depending on the size of the bait. I believe I was missing some fish when snelling my hooks due to the bass’s mouth blowing open from the weight (1oz-2oz) on the hook set and cam action preventing the hook point from connecting to the inside of the mouth.  
 

In changing to the San Diego Jam I don’t have to over exert the initial pressure in the hook set and I believe my hookup ratio increased due to the sharp hook and negating what I described above. After all, a punch rig is really just a heavy Texas rig and I never snelled my T-rig hooks.

[Mike L]

12 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

I’m assuming you don’t snell an ewg hook do you? @Mike L

 

I personally use straight shank “flippin” hooks for most of my Texas rigs and anytime I use a straight shank I use a snell knot.

Interesting. Are you using a straight shank flippin hook on your punch rigs? @J._Bricker

 

No, I do not as I wouldn’t use a ewg for any bottom contact. 
 

 

10 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

I am @woolleyfooley, a Trokar straight shank flipping hook, either a 3/0 or 5/0 depending on the size of the bait. I believe I was missing some fish when snelling my hooks due to the bass’s mouth blowing open from the weight (1oz-2oz) on the hook set and cam action preventing the hook point from connecting to the inside of the mouth.  
 

In changing to the San Diego Jam I don’t have to over exert the initial pressure in the hook set and I believe my hookup ratio increased due to the sharp hook and negating what I described above. After all, a punch rig is really just a heavy Texas rig and I never snelled my T-rig hooks.

 

I use the same Trokar hooks (TK130) 

but do not have the same problem even up to a 2oz

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[J._Bricker]

6 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

No, I do not as I wouldn’t use a ewg for any bottom contact. 
 

 

 

I use the same Trokar hooks (TK130) 

but do not have the same problem even up to a 2oz

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

That’s good to know @Mike L, I was relaying my experiences to @woolleyfooley’s question. Of *course YMMV is always a factor.

[Mike L]

3 minutes ago, J._Bricker said:

That’s good to know @Mike L, I was relaying my experiences to @woolleyfooley’s question. Of YMMV is always a factor.

Yes, when it comes down to it everyone does thier own thing, sometimes influenced by others sometimes not. 

It still interesting to me how so many anglers who enjoy doing the same thing will go about it in totally different ways to get the same results. 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

[J._Bricker]

3 hours ago, Mike L said:

Yes, when it comes down to it everyone does thier own thing, sometimes influenced by others sometimes not. 

It still interesting to me how so many anglers who enjoy doing the same thing will go about it in totally different ways to get the same results. 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

Absolutely, just as another angler will fish a spot of yours from a different distance, different direction, using different techniques with varying results. This seems to be especially true from the perspective of being a co-angler in a tournament. I guess that’s how we BR anglers help each other with the ever changing pieces of the puzzle.

[Mike L]

41 minutes ago, J._Bricker said:

Absolutely, just as another angler will fish a spot of yours from a different distance, different direction, using different techniques with varying results. This seems to be especially true from the perspective of being a co-angler in a tournament. I guess that’s how we BR anglers help each other with the ever changing pieces of the puzzle.

Agree

Right or wrong Especially with subjects like these, I seem to always answer from an co anglers perspective. 
Intended or not 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[woolleyfooley]

20 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

I am @woolleyfooley, a Trokar straight shank flipping hook, either a 3/0 or 5/0 depending on the size of the bait. I believe I was missing some fish when snelling my hooks due to the bass’s mouth blowing open from the weight (1oz-2oz) on the hook set and cam action preventing the hook point from connecting to the inside of the mouth.  
 

In changing to the San Diego Jam I don’t have to over exert the initial pressure in the hook set and I believe my hookup ratio increased due to the sharp hook and negating what I described above. After all, a punch rig is really just a heavy Texas rig and I never snelled my T-rig hooks.

 

9 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

No, I do not as I wouldn’t use a ewg for any bottom contact. 
 

 

 

I use the same Trokar hooks (TK130) 

but do not have the same problem even up to a 2oz

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

Thank you both!

[GetFishorDieTryin]

For FW I dont snell a knot often.  I do snell straight shanks when Im throwing T and free rigs.  I feel like it can protect the knot from impact since its below the eye.  If the knot is tied well, and the tag is trimmed back, the snell doesn't catch a whole lot of slime or grass.