How To Tie A Snell Knot [And When You Should & Shouldn’t Use This Knot]
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
- Found In: Fishing Knots, Fishing Tips, Terminal Knot (Snug)
It’s knot time!
Fishing knots are a critical link between you and the fish.
Educating yourself with how to tie various types of knots can be very helpful in the long run.
Certain knots, such as the snell knot, are better suited for certain applications.
So, what is the snell knot and why is it an important knot to have in your arsenal?
The snell knot was very popular back in the day when hooks did not have an eye with a hole in it that you can pass a line through.
These hooks simply had what appeared to be a flat, circular “eye” at the end of the shank without a hole in it.
These hooks are only able to be tied to a line by using the snell knot, which does not require an opening in the eye of the hook.
Instead, the line is wrapped around the shank of the hook, forming a tightly coiled knot.
These types of hooks are still available today and most are very popular with flies for fly fishing.
Since most of today’s fishing hooks have holes in the eye to pass the line through to tie a knot, you may think the snell knot is pointless or unnecessary.
The truth is, it is still a very effective way to connect your leader or main line to your hook!
More specifically, the snell knot is very effective when used with circle hooks, octopus hooks, and creating a tandem hook rig, where one or multiple hooks are above one another.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using the snell knot:
- Allows for better hook sets – When used on an “Octopus Hook” (the eye is curved back), your line or leader stays in line with the shank of the hook.
- Allows for better hook sets with Circle Hooks – The way the knot is rigged makes the circle hook turn into the fish’s lip more than a traditional knot would (as shown in the video below.
- There is no knot above the eye of the hook, which can help eliminate any grass or debris from catching, as a knot above the eye would do.
Now there is one main disadvantage of the snell knot, and this is more of being aware of the species of fish you are targeting.
You want to avoid using this knot if targeting fish with sharp teeth.
Since the line is wrapping around the shank of the hook, this puts the line closer to the fish’s mouth.
If a tooth cuts or grazes any of the coils around the hook, you will end up losing your fish.
In the following video, I will be showing you a simple way to tie a snell knot.
Enjoy!
How To Tie A Snell Knot [VIDEO]
Conclusion
As you can see, this is a pretty simple knot to tie.
It may take a few attempts to get it right, but once you do, you will notice how strong and useful it can be.
Do you have any extra pointers for the snell knot?
Want to see other how-to videos for tying knots?
Let us know in the comments!
Fish on!
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to help he knot from being weakened by fish with serated teeth it can be cover by shrink wrap reducing abrasion
Good tip! Just have to be careful not to apply too much heat or it can compromise the line.
Nice video Tony.
I thought having two hooks on one line is illegal in FL? Is that incorrect? I use Fish Rules app (Intracoastal waterways, St. Augustine, FL) and for all the main fish we target (reds, flounder, sheepshead, etc.) it says harvest of this species using multiple hooks is prohibited.
Where is using two hooks on one line legal?
Thanks.
Nice video, but this is not a snell knot.
Thank you for the feedback! Would you mind letting us know what a snell knot is then??
He’s right, the knot that you demonstrated in the video isn’t a Snell knot, you tied a uni knot. Google Snell knot.
Tony, how can I contact you directly? I can send you some photos of the snells that I tie.
That is definitely not a snell not
It’s an unusual way of tying a snell knot, lest to me but let’s not forget what exactly a snell is, i.e. a short piece of gut or line used to attach a hook to a longer line.
Definitely not a snell. That’s a uni. This is how I tie a snell….https://youtu.be/-_ftAGkewfE
That’s one way but I promise you just as many people will say you’re wrong as the ones who will say you’re right
Nicely done. Now I can properly use these hooks and it’s such an easy not. Thanks!
Do u recommend using it on a non off set eye circle hook
????????????????Nice presentation. Thanks bud.
Good demonstration of how to tie a snell knot,simple and easy to understand
Thank you for the great feedback!
Great vid Tony as usual. Easy to follow using the larger line, and the reasons for using this knot makes good sense.
Thanks Robert!
Very clear demonstration. Using the larger diam. yellow line/rope really helps make the demonstration easy to follow.
Thank you. Shelly Friedman, Bokeelia, FL
Thank you for the great feedback!