The tightest knot isn’t always the best.

In the shallow water world of backcountry angling where artificial lures reign supreme, proper presentation is everything! We all know that even a perfectly placed cast can quickly deteriorate from something as severe as an untimely flick of the wrist, or as subtle as a tiny blade of turtle grass clinging to the side of the lure. Either can deter an already shy fish from ever considering a serious commitment.

Perfecting the motions of proper casting and retrieval techniques when stalking the shallows while always keeping a close eye of your lure may in-fact take years to master, but even something as non-monumental as the knot you employ to connect your terminal gear can have a noticeable effect on your overall success.

 Professionals who have nearly perfected the art of plying the shallows swear that a simple knot can actually make the difference between an explosive strike from a hungry redfish tailing the edge of a lush grass flat, or barely a stare to add to your growing list of blown opportunities. In the serene backcountry, it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference.

While there are practically more fail-proof knots in use today then there are fish to catch, one in particular stands out as the wisest choice when targeting skinny water targets. It’s a knot that has been specifically implemented to provide both artificial lures and natural baits with the most realistic appeal; it’s called the loop knot.

In all reality, loop knots have actually been in use for as long as we’ve been eating sliced bread. It wasn’t until the last two decades when the now endless array of stick-baits and soft plastics emerged into the backcountry world when the loop knot really found a home.

In this arena, where sight fishing in crystal clear water with artificial baits is often the primary means of approach, it’s imperative that imitations appear as natural and lively as possible, both in looks and action. For example, rather than restricted a plastic shrimp’s action by cinching a knot tight to the eye of the hook, a loop knot permits the bait to swing freely, resulting in a more natural presentation on the fall and during the twitching retrieve. Often the subtle difference provides the offering with that little bit of extra movement required to trigger a savage strike. Many accomplished anglers competing on the redfish tour who spend more days on the water then they do on land, also believe they lose fewer fish due to pulled hooks because of the little bit of added freedom the loop knot provides.

Regardless which knot your fingers prefer, we all know that properly tying it is essential for achieving success with any fish, shallow water or not. Till this day, a big percentage of break-offs can still be blamed on poor knots, otherwise referred to as “Tackle Failure.” To keep the odds in your favor, it’s essential for anglers in any environment to familiarize themselves with a few favorite knots, and when tying them, it’s imperative that you spend the extra second or two to insure the knot is tied correctly. Never, and I mean never gamble on a questionable knot. If it doesn’t look right, it isn’t right!

The average angler really doesn’t need to master more than four or five knots that directly relate to his or her mode of fishing. Big-game anglers spending the majority of their time trolling, have little interest in knots used by rainbow trout fisherman, who, in turn don’t need to ace the Bimini twist.

Choose the right knots for your particular applications and learn to tie them quickly and correctly, even in low-light conditions. Practice with your eyes closed and always keep in mind the three vital ingredients for insuring your knots retain their breaking strength.

*Lubricate all knots before drawing tight. Saliva works well and is always available.
*Cinch knots as tight as possible. If it slips in your hand, it will surely slip when you’re hooked up.
*Trim excess tag ends with clippers while being careful not to jeopardize the integrity of the knot or leader.

With so many knots in use today, it only makes sense to provide at least two variations of the loop knot. Try them both and perfect the one you are most comfortable tying. If you’re left handed, you’ll find some knots are easier to tie then others. 

Text Version of pictures above listed Below:
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Non-Slip Mono Loop Knot

The Non-Slip Mono Loop Knot doesn’t slip and often tests close to 100 percent of the unknotted line strength. Typically used with monofilament or fluorocarbon, the Non-Slip Mono Loop Knot provides a more natural look and action to artificial and natural baits than typical knots which cinch tight against the eye. The Non-Slip Loop Knot offers the added benefit of the tag end facing rearward therefore it’s less likely to snag grass.

Step 1. Tie a common overhand “Granny” knot six-inches up from tag end of leader.
Keep knot loose.
Step 2.Thread tag end of leader through lure/hook eye then back up through loop created by overhand knot.
Step 3. Wrap tag end the suggested amount of times (*See chart) around main running line before inserting tag end back through loop in overhand knot.

*Chart
Line strength                 #of turns
6 - 8                                   7
8 - 12                                 5
15 - 40                               4
50 - 60                               3
60 - 80                               2

Step 4. Moisten, pull main line and lure toward each other to complete knot. Trim excess tag end. 

Homer Rhode Loop Knot

An extremely easy knot to tie, the Homer Rhode Loop Knot is also commonly used for connected a lure or free swinging hook to the end of the leader. The Homer Rhode Loop Knot offers the benefit of allowing a loop of any size to be left in the line.

Step 1. Tie a common overhand “Granny” knot six-inches up from tag end of leader.
Keep knot loose.
Step 2.Thread tag end of leader through lure/hook eye then back up through loop created by overhand knot.
Step 3. Tie second overhand knot above the first with the tag end of leader.
Step 4. Moisten and cinch knots tightly together to complete knot. Trim excess tag end.