How To Tie The Kreh Loop Knot [Contest Winner]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Knots, Fishing Tips, Terminal Knot (Loop)
Have you ever lost a fish due to a knot?
Whether you want to admit it or not, we probably all have. Unfortunately it’s just going to happen if you fish enough.
What’s crazy is the fishing knots we use to catch our prized fish are one of the most important and overlooked factors in fishing… especially when using artificial lures.
I can say this because I never actually tested any of my knots until very recently… and the results shocked me.
Just a couple weeks ago, I published findings for a braided line to fluorocarbon leader knot contest that has given me a 30% stronger overall system compared to what I used for years… even when fishing tournaments (click here if you haven’t read that one yet).
Now, I’d like to share my findings for the next most important connection for saltwater anglers… the leader to lure knot.
This is considered the 2nd most important knot for a saltwater angler who uses light braided line and connects to a heavier leader (to withstand the sharp mouths of their target species) because the weakest link will almost always be the line to leader connection.
For example, a 99% knot tied to a 10lb line is weaker than even a 50% knot tied to a 30lb leader… 9.9 lbs vs. 15lbs.
So for this leader to lure knot analysis, strength was not quite as important as before… other important factors need to be considered too.
Leader to Lure Knot Contest Details
First, we narrowed this contest to only include knots that connect a leader to a lure via a loop because the loop gives lures the most natural action underwater allowing for more strikes.
Here is a quick list of the loop knots that were included in this analysis… they were the ones that seemed to be the most popular and tested out to be strong options in our pre-screening process.
- Kreh Loop Knot
- Perfection Loop Knot
- Rapala Loop Knot
- Canoe Man Loop
For determining the winner of the loop knot leader to lure connection, we took into account the following 3 factors:
- Breaking Strength
- Ease of tying in all conditions
- Ability to not snag onto floating debris (weedless)
Leader to Lure Knot Contest Winner
The Non-Slip Loop Knot (also known as the Kreh Loop Knot) took the top prize in our loop knot contest.
Although it was not quite the strongest option (its breaking strength was just a bit behind the Rapala loop knot), it is much easier to tie than the Rapala and it’s the more weedless option… meaning that it’s tag points back towards the lure which doesn’t give floating debris much to snag.
Non-Slip Loop Knot Tutorial Video
Here’s a quick video showing how to tie this great lure to leader knot:
➡ CLICK HERE to get a FREE PDF guide showing all of these essential steps on tying this knot so that you can have a printout whenever you need it.
Conclusion
Our fishing knots are the only thing we have absolutely 100% control over when it comes to catching the biggest fish of the day, so it’s up to us to make sure we are using the best overall knot for each connection. That goes for leader knots to hooks, lures, or to another line.
When fishing with lures, it’s extremely important to use a loop knot so you can get more strikes. If using a fluorocarbon leader, we highly recommend using the Non-Slip Loop knot shown in the video above because it’s strong, very easy to tie, and it’s weedless.
Note: 30 lb Ande fluorocarbon line was used in the contest… click here to see the breaking strengths from the contest.
Go To Our Knot Testing Homepage [Full Knot Rankings]
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Great video! I’ve used that loop knot for many years. I just use two turns around and take it thru the loop. Never had it fail. And when tightening it, right at the end I use pliers to grab the tag end and pull it against (opposite ) the mainline, then one last pull of the lure/hook against the mainline.
The loop gives the lure/hook so much more freedom to move than any fixed knot!
Thanks for sharing this.
There are two ways to make the loops (3-5) for the Kreh knot,. The first is as done in your video, by starting and continuing Over The Top of the line to wind the loops, and the other is to go Under the Bottom of the line to wind the loops. I can say by experience, the Over the Top method results in the loop being straight with the line. But I have no idea which method results i the strongest knot. Would you mind testing both?
One more note, in all the drawings and videos showing how to tie the Kreh, about half show the Over technique, and half show the Under technique.
I did do some testing of the line going that other direction a while back, and there was not a noticeable difference. So I stuck with the method as shown in the video because it feels the most natural to tie in my opinion.
Hate to be a downer but that is not correct, When you take the tag end back through the loop you do not go through the center…you push one leg to the side and go through between that and the center of the loop. For what it is worth before you hang me out to dry, the guy that taught me to tie the knot that way is named Lefty Kreh.
Thanks for letting me know about the correction. I’ll give that modification a shot next time I get out on the water.
Just watch Kreh knot video, I’ll be trying it out, cause my old fingers are getting to stiff for the knot I’ve been tying, love y’all’s site great information thanks
Hey George, thanks so much for making time to leave the nice comment. Fish On!
I have used the non-slip loop knot for 20 years….that is the knot you are tying…..
Never lost a fish with it. You can get away with two wraps instead of four or five…
Luke, I’m going to try this on heavy floro, 60# to 100#. Any suggestions in the best number uf twists? Going with 3 to reduce the bulk bulk bit any advice is appreciated.
I use 3 twists with heavy line, and 4 with light line… the forth one ads a little strength, but it can add a lot of bulk to heavier leaders so I stick with 3.
Thanks Luke. Appreciate all your hard work. Amy other knots you like for heave line. I do a lot of Northern/Muskie fishing and often prefer heavy floro or mono to wire.
For me, 3 twists just fail to cinch up neatly and end up loose even on an as light as 44 lb fluoro (0.6mm Sunline Siglon FC). I don’t know why, but two twists do the job perfectly, and I think I am OK about that, since I suppose the weakest point is still the line-to-leader connection, however I haven’t tested that yet. Now switched to Power Pro Super 8 Slick braid (17 kg and 0.23 mm claimed, but at least the latter is far from true, being much thicker in reality). Will see how it does, never tried it yet. Coming from a noname Chinese braid with (real, tested it myself) the breaking strain of 7.4 kg. That one proved to be a little too light for the purpose.
I’ll be using it on a baitcasting setup, targeting northern pike with 110-130mm hard minnows/jerkbaits up to 1 oz.
Have you guys done a video for tieing a circle hook, I have always been told to use the snell knot but find it very difficult to use, do you have any other suggestions?
I have not yet done a test on the snell knot… coming soon!
How about tying it with a Double overhand figure 8 not in the beginning and then feeding the line back thru the figure 8 like in the double figure 8 knot?
Hey Ken, great feedback. I tested that exact combo out yesterday when testing different variations of the figure 8 knot to see if it would add enough strength to beat the rapala knot… but the rapala still was the victor on fluorocarbon in terms of strength.
The most interesting finding was that this figure 8 Kreh knot was stronger than the Double Figure 8 knot on fluoro but not with mono… so I’ll be doing some more testing to see what combination works best (tons of some small tweaks to analyze).
Fish On!
I’ve started using the FG knot & switched to 10 lb braid & 30 lb mono leader. It sure has made a difference. Now this little lady is outfishing the seasoned guides I fish with. I was even able to tie it while out on moving boat. I just now tied on the kreh knot to jig head & can’t wait to try it out. Thanks for all your great advice. Fish on.