View Full Version : snelling eel hooks and effects of offset eyes


Krispy
11-03-2006, 11:25 AM
Anyone snell their eel hooks?
Anyone notice a difference tying direct to an offset eye vs. a straight eye? Does the hook point pull at a different angle and is there less gap space hooked on a direct tyed offset eye?
:huh:

Canalman
11-03-2006, 11:35 AM
I snell them, F18 showed me and the reason is that the line doesn't pull directly on the loop of the hook, it tightens the wraps around the shank. I haven't noticed a huge difference, but I've never broken off at the snell and I have a few times with a palomar.

-Dave

fishaholic18
11-03-2006, 11:42 AM
Works great and is easy to tie once u get the hang of it.
http://www.animatedknots.com/snell/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website#

Krispy
11-03-2006, 11:52 AM
thanks guys, trying to eliminate any points of failure

heres a link to anoth easy looking snell. Even I could probly tie this one in the surf at night
http://www.thunderboltcharters.com/uni1.htm

Back Beach
11-03-2006, 12:05 PM
Anyone snell their eel hooks?
Anyone notice a difference tying direct to an offset eye vs. a straight eye? Does the hook point pull at a different angle and is there less gap space hooked on a direct tyed offset eye?
:huh:

ooooooh Krispy. Step into my lair.. I try to convince all those I fish with to utilize this method anytime you use an offset eye. I feel you have the strongest knot possible(snell):musc: with a direct pull on the hook shank. Both very good in theory and in actual applications. Other methods will work well, but for me the snell is as critical as opening the bail before you cast.:uhuh:

Krispy
11-03-2006, 12:12 PM
How about using the snell on a straight eye? Its OK?

JeffH
11-03-2006, 12:27 PM
I snell them. Does it make any difference, I doubt it, but it gives me something to do in the winter.

wheresmy50
11-03-2006, 12:38 PM
If you hold a gammy octopus hook, you'll notice that the hook point is on the same plane as the eye. I believe this design was invented by Eagle Claw way back, and I personally believe it's better than the standard J design.

As far as other hooks, I always assumed the offset eye was solely for the purpose of snelling.

tynan19
11-03-2006, 12:39 PM
I started snelling all my hooks this year and I found it is pretty easy to do even at night if need be.

Back Beach
11-03-2006, 01:11 PM
How about using the snell on a straight eye? Its OK?

The line seems to come off at a funny angle, but I couldn't say the hookup rate suffers because of it. The biggest reason I snell is because I feel it is the stongest link between hero and fish. I used to fish mono a lot and would just snell the hook directly to the 25#BG line.Never had a snell knot fail, ever.

riverrat2
11-03-2006, 02:40 PM
I also always snell with an offsett hook. On a straight shank hook, like a gami live bait I just use a improved clinch or a a uni knot. I have the most confidence in the snell. Looks more professional too:bl2:

capecodder
11-03-2006, 03:24 PM
Always snell to octopus or circle octopus. Never had one fail.

shadow
11-03-2006, 06:14 PM
I only like using a striaght eye and tie a palomar knot. the hook sits just right plus eel hooks should be short shank hooks which all short shank hooks are striaght eyed If I need to use a off set eye then snelling is the way to go.

PNG
11-03-2006, 06:17 PM
Good question. years ago when I fished live bait I tried both snelling an octopie hook and reg hook and tie direct to an octopie.
End result was I went soley to the Gammy octo snelled. One thing to watch for is line abrasion at the eye itself. Look for burs. Seemed to affect floro leaders much more than say big game

Herring:drool:

5/0
11-03-2006, 09:36 PM
I feel it is the stongest link between hero and fish. I used to fish mono a lot and would just snell the hook directly to the 25#BG line.Never had a snell knot fail, ever.

I totaly agree with that,there are no strait 90's on the knot & a snell will not fail on strenght.
I'll pre tie a bunch of 5/0 Gamu's on 40#Sea guar and put-em in a hook binder.

Best of luck Krispy

Redsoxticket
11-03-2006, 09:59 PM
I've been snelling with the tag line going thru the eye once and not twice as fishahlic18 references. Both are called snell knots and tied the same with that exception.

5/0 and others....Which snell knot do you use.

NIB
11-04-2006, 05:59 AM
I do this thing where i twirll the loop around the shank an the tag end with 2 fingers..not sure what it is called takes seconds..
For leaders i had one i would use both ends of the line. Livelining herring wit 20 lb big game I had to find one that used just one end.My friend showed me it.It is fast an simple.I use another one to snell trebles on a leader for a bunker snatch rig..
But explaining hook tying methods without pics is like reading brail on the screen..

5/0
11-05-2006, 06:20 PM
From what I've been reading I guess there is two ways to snell a hook.
I guess I use the traditional way,I'll take the tag end & put it through the eye with a 6" over hang then loop it @ mid shank.Then holding the leader flush along the shank Take the tag end & wind it row over row heading back up to the eye,leaving a series of spirals.Take the tag end & slide it under the rows and out the bottom.
With both hands holding each of the ends of leader I'll pull evenly making sure the line doesn't bind up on the shank,you'll see the knot come together.
I cut the tag end 1/8" just below the knot.
Im a big fan on florocarbon leaders I think there is a huge advantage by using this while fishing the Canal.

Not to mention when snelling a hook on an off set hook like a Gamukatsu octopus I think there is a difference in hook set vs a live bait hook.

How about you do you do the same?


5/0

Joe
11-05-2006, 08:06 PM
snell is the best way to go....
http://surfcasting-rhodeisland.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/dubro_snell_tools_lg.jpg
I love my Duo-Bro Kwick Tie Hook Sneller (http://surfcasting-rhodeisland.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SRIOTS&Product_Code=SNELL&Category_Code=T)....
There's a bunch of other knots they make too. Good wintertime project. Iron Mike makes 200 Eel Leaders over the winter - but he's insanley prepared

Redsoxticket
11-05-2006, 10:28 PM
I've been snelling with the tag line going thru the eye once and not twice as fishahlic18 references. Both are called snell knots and tied the same with that exception.

5/0 and others....Which snell knot do you use.

continued.....

http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/saltwater/photogallery/0,26508,1210855,00.html

This is the link to the snell knot. 5/0 the end result of the knot that you tie is identical as this method just that you sneeked the tag end thru the loops.
I had a difficult time finding the site that describes this method because most of the sites that describe "how to tie snell knots" pass the line thru the eye twice.

5/0
11-05-2006, 10:54 PM
Nice link;
That is,how I tie my knots....but that link describes it better.:claps:

5/0