UA snell knot for heavy mono

[John F]

I was making several bridle rigs with circle hooks last night using 200 Lb and 350 Lbs leaders....
 
With leaders that thick I wasn't very impressed with the typical snell knot (uni version) where after the wraps, the leader goes over the wraps to enter the hook eye.... it was too thick and not neat! Also tried the Modified Fritz snell (http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php/topic,4621.0.html)... also a bit bulky and I wasn't happy with the leader over the wraps (PIC 1)
 
Then tried Geoff Wilson's common snell (PIC 2; http://www.thaifishingguide.com/fishtechequip/techniques/knots/common_snell_steps.html)....   happy with the result but a bit difficult making those wraps with the thick leader especially when the loop gets small!
 
I wanted a clean, neat and simple knot... so I modified the Modified Fritz Snell a bit... at the end of the wraps the leader goes under the wraps all the way to the hook eye...  I present you the UA Snell Knot for heavy mono leaders! (PIC 3)!
 
Must say this is quick and easy! My snell knot of choice!
 
   
 
 

[SAfish]

That looks very good!  How strong is it? How about a step by step tutorial? 

[John F]

Well it looks/feels very strong... I make at least 5 wraps depending on the leader. Was trying it and was being helped by the missus. Pulled her up (she weights about 70 kg) from her chair easily!!! Off course with a 350 Lb leader that's not a real test... Will see next week...

A tut? I can try but don't expect Tony's quality!

[SAfish]

Great stuff! I just want to learn how to do it. Have you tried it with thinner diameter line as well?

[John F]

Great stuff! I just want to learn how to do it. Have you tried it with thinner diameter line as well?

Have not tried with a thinner line.... anyway will use 80 Lb line to do the tut... the thinner the line the easier it is... 

[SAfish]

Great, I can see a post of the month in the making. 

[John F]

Here's the step-by-step guide to do the knot.

What you need:

Pic 1:
* A circle hook
* A piece of 80 Lb leader material (used 80 Lb for this exercise - usually I use +200 Lb)
* A kiddies paint brush or other thin and long rigid object

The Knot
 
Pic 2:
* Put the brush along the hook shank and insert the leader in the hook eye

Pic 3:
* Hold both the end, the hook and the brush with one hand and with the other start wrapping the leader

[John F]

Pic 4:
* Make 5-8 wraps around the tag end of the leader, hook shank and the brush. 
* Keep everything snug but not too tight

Pic 5:
* Once the wraps are done, introduce the tip of the leader into the space between the hook shank and the brush

Pic 6:
* Run the leader all the way to the hook eye

[John F]

Pics 7:

* Take the leader out on the other side

Pic 8:
* Keep it snug but not too tight

Pic 9:
* Hold everything and slowly remove the brush.
* It will become a bit loose. Don't worry!
* Pass the leader through the first wrap and the eye of the hook

[John F]

Pic 10:
* Brush is out, lube the knot and tighten it

Pic 11:
* Finish by trimming the tag end

Pic 12:
* Your finished UA snell knot for heavy mono!

 

[Capt. Hook]

Thats the Fig.8 snell and the one I always use, it has never let me done, is very strong, small and neat. What is also nice with this snell is that you can tie another hook further down becasue the tag comes out flush with the hook shank, and when using small kona's a double hook rigged likethis is awesome. An all my big tube flies for saltwater I use a double hooked rig using this snell

[SAfish]

  Great post. Nominated for post of the month. 

[MIKE PIKE]

  ... nice one Marcos.

[Manuel Junior]

Nice  post!!!!! :shre:

[super_daav]

I call that the nail/needle knot in fly fishing. I used to tie my leader onto my fly line as it makes a smooth, small knot which passed throught the guides easily!
 
Very clever to apply the concept to a circle hook!

[super_daav]

John F, i was thinking about this last night. AS Mike mentions can this not easily be made by tying a figure 8 knot onto the shank of the hook? It reminds me of a fig 8 knot?