I've got another question (go figure). What do you guys think of using fishing line that has loops to tie hooks and lures on? We bought pre-tied fishing hooks that had line and a loop and started doing the same thing with our lures more or less for convinence. I started thinking about it and wondered if that type of thing shows more and so it scares fishes off.
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Those are called 'snelled' hooks. I use them all the time, especially for catfish, bluegill, perch, etc.
They work great, and They are usually thicker line, though, but it hasn't hurt me to use it, and it is a lot faster to get rigged up.
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thanks cat_man... they sure are a lot easier then tying each one on. [
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I too use them for catfishing. They work great. [
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They are handy, but once you get some practice tying knots, you will want to eliminate them due to the fact you might find yourself in a situation that the swivel scares the fish away. Plus you get better action from your lure with a solid connection. My 2 cents. You can also buy a "value pack" of hooks for the price of a pack of snelled hooks. There are usually 3 times as many hooks in them or more.
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This is true as well... dpending on the situaton I'll take the line off and tie directly to the hook.
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So now as for lures that aren't already "snelled" we started doing that to the ones we used quite a bit... Just wondering if that is common practice or if most people just tie them on.
And if you do tie them on are you just cutting a bit of line off everytime you decide to switch to something new?
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If you are casting rapalas, spinners, flatfish, or other artificial hard-plastic or metal lures, I usually tie on a snap swivel on so I can quickly and easily switch lures.
Some lures require a more 'stealth' presentation, however, such as jigs and other soft plastics. Also, the action of some lures is interfered with if you use a swivel.
Yes, you just cut the line and tie on again when switching when there is no swivel involved. You lose a few inches each time.
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I agree with LH2. I never use snelled hooks. Better action without the snells, and usually too heavy of line for what I fish. Practice your knots, buy some #4, #6, #8 Mustad hooks and you will be good to go for most fish around here.
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I don't use snelled hooks either, I just tie them to the line, get a card that has the knots you can learn or find a website that shows you how to tie them and what to use them for. If I can fisn the card I have in my fishing stuff I'll scan it in and put it a post.
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I also tie my own (every thing) the line is mostly too heavy and stiff for the fishing I do. as for snap swivels, I hate them. I don't use them, I will tie a inline barrle swivel before I use a snap. just my dime. later chuck
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I'm having fishing for dummies shipped to me from ebay right now so maybe that will have a card or some information on how to tie knots (I would have never thought you would need to tie anything other then a grannie...) if it doesn't I'll see what I can find somewhere else.
Thanks for the input everyone... gives me a better idea of what is common place... we will play with both the swivel and snelled stuff and try just tying it on as well... see what different results we get. When I raided my dads tackle box (all stuff that hasn't been used for near a decade) I found both loose and snelled hooks and lures so... saturday we'll play a bit more.
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"Fishing for Dummies" taught me how to tie knots. I always tie directly to the line when I use artificial lures and flies. Snelled for bait.
For storage of your pre-tied hooks and lures, have you seen the attached item? I have two. Much easier to use than spring loaded storage options I have seen.
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First off let me say welcome to BFT.It's great to have a newbie aboard,that is willing to ask questions and is taking a valued interest in the great sport of fishing.Its takes a life time to learn to think like a fish.
Three knots that i use for all of my fishing is the snelled knot ,the rapala knot ,and the improved cinch knot.When tied correctly all of these knots will hold 80-90% of their line strenght.When using a lure that I dont want to tie the line directly to,I will use the rapala knot.If i want to tie directly to a swivel ,i will use the cinch knot.
All three of these knots are easy to tie ,but as with anything its takes a little practice.i have never read fishing for dummies ,but hopefully it has lots of pics on tieing knots.There are a lot of good knots to use,try different ones and see what works the best for you. Good luck....
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Thanks for the welcome... and thanks everyone else who has welcomed me. I'm glad I stubbled onto this place and decided to join and see what info I could gleen. It's been highly enlightening and amusing as well. I've learned alot from all the tips I've been given as well as from reading the various post and topics everyones talking about.
I'm having one of those I can see clearly moments about knots weakening the strength of the line... my husband lost two lures... both of our brand new ones. One he lost just casting out. With both he tied a knot around the bobber to keep it in place. I was pretty
by the whole thing but I get it now. Ah well... two good lures and some bobbers are hanging out somewhere in mantua.[crazy]
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[black][size 3]Hey new fish,[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Snells work great for some applications. But, as has been mentioned, you will want to tie some things directly on your line. As you get some more experience, you will learn when the best time is to use snells, snaps, swivels, and snap swivels. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]A knot sheet sheet is handy, but I would recommend that you try to learn and practice the knots at home(like when you are watching TV) where you have the time, so you don't have to do that when you are on the water where you could be fishing instead of practicing or learning knots. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Get some fishing line(buy the cheap stuff to practice with) - get a couple of different line sizes(for example: get some 4lb, 8lb,12lb), because some knots need to be tied a little differently when using different sized lines. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Here is a good website with knots that has animation - you can watch the knot tie itself. It's a good place to start.[/size][/black]
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[url "http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com"][black][size 3]Click here to learn fishing knots[/size][/black][/url]
Remember when using monofiliment fishing line, to always wet the knot before you cinch it down or tighten it up.
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I despise pre-tied anything. The more loops, knots, and whatnots you have on your line, the better your chances of snagging, breaking off, busted knots, or at a minimum, picking up trash on your line (moss, etc).
Presnelled hooks are often tied on what I would consider to be too short of a leader. If I'm going to tie a looped leader and use a swivel, I generally like a nice 18" leader. This is especially true for trout.
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[left]I have found, at least for me, that a lot of the pleasure of fishing for me is the whole "getting rigged up" part of it. I like to tie knots and knowing which knots to use in different situtions. Fishing for Dummies is a very nice way to start out and will give you lots of information--some useful, some "bonus" and some that is just not all that applicable to your fishing here in-state, but I enjoyed it a great deal and you will learn plenty. I would just say, to use whatever will keep you going out and fishing. If things are too complicated for you and you don't enjoy it, don't do it, do something more simple, but I do think that you may find that there is something inherently pleasurable about tying a good knot or rigging up a presentation just right just as there is in making a good cast or freeing up a snag. Fishing is fun, not just catching.[/left]
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Thanks once again for all the advice and tips. I had no idea that knots made any difference and had anything to do with fishing (Fishing for dummies seems like a good fit for me currently.) I hope I get it by saturday so I know a little bit more about anything and everything dealing with fishing... but if I don't... I'll take the tips I've got and wing it again. I'm sure I will have more questions soon. [cool]
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