Non-Slip Loop Knot: The Best Loop Knot for Lures

A loop knot ties your lure or fly on with a small open loop instead of a tight knot against the eye. The lure can swing freely in that loop, so jerkbaits, streamers, crankbaits and soft plastics swim with more natural action. The non-slip loop (also called the Kreh loop) is the one to learn: the loop stays the size you tie it and the knot is strong.

When to use a loop knot

• Lures that need free movement: jerkbaits, small crankbaits, minnow plugs, soft swimbaits, jigs on a light leader.

• Flies: streamers and nymphs.

• Heavy leader on a small lure, where a tight knot would make the lure stiff.

Use a tight knot (Palomar or improved clinch) for hooks you want fixed, such as bait hooks.

How to tie a non-slip loop knot

1. Overhand knot first. Tie a loose overhand knot in the line about 25 cm (10 in) from the end. Do not tighten it.

2. Thread the lure. Pass the tag end through the lure's eye, then back through the overhand knot on the same side it came out of.

3. Wrap. Wrap the tag end around the standing line: 7 turns for line under 8 lb, 5 for 8–14 lb, 4 for 15–40 lb, 3 above that.

4. Back through the overhand. Pass the tag end back through the overhand knot, entering on the same side it left.

5. Seat. Wet the knot. Pull the tag end to snug the wraps, then pull the lure and the standing line apart to close the knot. Trim the tag.

Size the loop in step 1: the closer the overhand knot sits to the eye, the smaller the loop.

Perfection loop

The perfection loop makes a fixed loop at the end of a line for loop-to-loop connections (leader to fly line, rig to main line). It is not tied through a lure eye. Use it for connections; use the non-slip loop for lures.

Tips

• Keep the loop small — about 5 mm is plenty for most lures.

• The turn counts matter: too many turns on heavy line will not seat.

• On braid, add one or two extra turns.

More guides on the fishing knots page.