snap/clip/knot for tieing on hardbaits

[tyrius.]

So, I've just started fishing crankbaits and other hardbaits and am now trying to decide what the best way is to tie these things on.  I've done some searches and found A LOT of differing opinions.  Reading Rapala's site they recommend the Rapala knot.  Reading other custom crankbait makers opinions here they seem to recommend the snap.  It looks to me like tieing directly to the lure (no split ring) with a knot other than the Rapala would have a detrimental effect on the lure action.

Since, I'm fairly new to all of this stuff I thought I would poll the audience and see what I could gather from your collected wisdom.

Thanks!

[ABC123]

I've done it all, swivels, Norman speed clips, Dual lock's, tied directly on, all with and without the split ring. I think I have concluded that my favorite is the Norman speed clip without the split ring. A close second is the dual lock.

[Bankbeater]

I like snaps for hard baits and a palomar knot for plastics, jigs, and spinners.

[dman]

im new to the polymar knot.  I just learned it for Drop Shotting.  Im confused why anyone would use this for Crank baits?

the loop that has to come down for the lure and multiple 3 prong hooks gotta get through it,  seems rather troublesome compared to say a Cinch knot.   Am i missing something?

[tyrius.]

Am i missing something?

I just wanted to try and include everything.  I also don't see how it would be very easy to tie a palomar knot on a crankbait or even worse a jerkbait, but just wanted to throw it in there.

[roadwarrior]

im new to the polymar knot. I just learned it for Drop Shotting. Im confused why anyone would use this for Crank baits?

the loop that has to come down for the lure and multiple 3 prong hooks gotta get through it, seems rather troublesome compared to say a Cinch knot. Am i missing something?

How difficult is it to put a lure through a loop?

[Vyron]

I use snap on most hardbaits

[detroit1]

If the crank has a "flush" line tie - i remove the split ring, but if it has a concave bill i leave the split ring on the lure, and use a cross - lock snap for all.

[FishTank]

I tie directly to the bait.  For some reason I have it stuck in my head that using a snap or clip will somehow negatively effect the action of a lure.

[tyrius.]

I tie directly to the bait. For some reason I have it stuck in my head that using a snap or clip will somehow negatively effect the action of a lure.

Actually, from what I have read the bait typically NEEDS a split ring, snap, or rapala knot to function correctly.  The rapala knot puts a loop in the end of the line.  All of these allow the bait to wiggle without moving the entire line through the water.  With a direct tie like a cinch knot the bait is forced to move the line through the water which requires more force so the wiggle of the bait is impaired.

At least that's what I've come to understand.

[S I G M A]

i use a eagle claw red snap swivel for pretty much all applications... just saves a lot of time

[dman]

im new to the polymar knot. I just learned it for Drop Shotting. Im confused why anyone would use this for Crank baits?

the loop that has to come down for the lure and multiple 3 prong hooks gotta get through it, seems rather troublesome compared to say a Cinch knot. Am i missing something?

How difficult is it to put a lure through a loop?

if its not difficult or troublesome then i am doing something wrong for sure,  tough to see in diagrams,  i guess it would be better to watch someone do it.  

[tyrius.]

if its not difficult or troublesome then i am doing something wrong for sure, tough to see in diagrams, i guess it would be better to watch someone do it.

I think what RW is getting at is to just make a LARGE loop and you shouldn't have much of an issue.

To me it seems much easier to use a palomar knot on a snap/clip and then connect that to the lure.

[luckyinkentucky]

There are two lengths of line to use with Palomar knot tying.  The least amount of line I 'waste' is when I tie to a fly or worm hook.   Any other time I double up the line and make a 12" double, and slide my lure down the middle to half way.  Make sense?  

If not double up about 24" of line to make a double-line 12" line.  Slide your bait half way at 6" from either side, and you will see what I mean.  It wastes a lot more line, but I prefer it to the clinch knot or improved clinch knot for most hardbaits.  The larger you make the initial 'double up' the easier it is to slip over those larger baits.  

I'm leery of using 'quick clips' since 90% of my hardbaits are either Lucky Craft, H&T, Yo-Zuri or XCalibur.  I feel a little more assured my $15 bait won't come off with a knot I tie to my liking.  

[Stringjam]

The double-line clinch knot is the savior of those who don't like to tie palomar knots.   It is machine tested just as strong and you don't have to make any loops.   Just double your line through the eye (as if you were tying a palomar) and then tie a clinch knot with that doubled line - only use about 5 or so twists - you don't want too many twists with all that doubled line.    Take your tag through the bottom after the twists but DON'T come back up through the loop like if you were tying a single line clinch.    The knot rocks with braid, fluorocarbon, and mono......just use more twists with braid.  

As for the snaps part - - expert crankbait designers have already done the hours of tank testing, and most will tell you to use a good SNAP.   Tying directly to the lure severely inhibits lure action.....at least tie to a split ring if you're not going to use a snap.              

[BIG M]

If you want to get the most action out of your crankbait go with a good snap.  

[tyrius.]

If you want to get the most action out of your crankbait go with a good snap.

Should I be removing any split rings if I use a snap?

[Tokyo Tony]

I think a good general rule is not to tie a non-loop knot directly to the hook eye (unless you're going for a subtle-type action).  You need some kind of loop in order to get the full action out of your bait, whether it's a loop knot, split ring, or some kind of snap.  I use regular snaps and they work fine.  The only time I use a loop knot is with walk-the-dog topwaters, where I don't want any extra weight on the front of the lure, but still want the full side-to-side action.  Otherwise, a snap allows me quickly to change colors/styles of lures without having 30 rods all over the place.

[Guest avid]

C'mon y'all learn to tie some knots  

[tyrius.]

C'mon y'all learn to tie some knots

The Rapala knot is not doing so well here.

One question for you, why would I go through the extra effort of tieing a Rapala knot when I can use a simple Palomar knot to a snap and get the same effect plus the benefit of a faster time to change between different lures?

[MALTESE FALCON]

I use a Duolock or Berkley Cross Lok's.

Falcon

[bass109]

I have used speed clips but it depends on the cranks type.

[Stringjam]

The Rapala knot is not doing so well here.

One question for you, why would I go through the extra effort of tieing a Rapala knot when I can use a simple Palomar knot to a snap and get the same effect plus the benefit of a faster time to change between different lures?

The main reason or time that I tie a Rapala knot is when fishing very small, light cranks or topwaters.   On certain baits the weight of the snap is a detriment, and the Rapala knot offers the best action.    

On the other hand, I simply do not trust the Rapala knot when fishing normal / larger cranks - especially around cover.......in this situation I believe the snap has every advantage over the Rapala knot - especially strength.    

[smallfry]

Palomar knot.  

If the bait has a split ring, I tie to it.  

If not, it depends on the line more than the lure.  If I'm throwing 8 or 10 lb. fireline I don't think the line effects the motion at all.  The line is very limp and very thin, so its drag in the water and inertia effect on the lure is negligible.  

On the other hand, 12-20 lb. mono or flouro tied directly to a bait with no split ring may effect the motion significantly.

[Long Mike]

I have a tremor condition that makes tying any knot an ordeal for me.  All of my lines have a snap on them.