Snell Knot
A straight-pull hook connection for bait hooks, egg patterns, and float rigs.
A snell pulls from the shank instead of the eye, which can make bait hooks track beautifully. Full steps are queued for the next content pass.
How to tie it
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1
Pass the leader tag through the hook eye from the front, leaving about 8 inches sticking out the back.
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2
Form a loop alongside the hook shank with the tag so the tag lies parallel to the shank pointing back toward the bend.
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3
Wrap the tag around the hook shank and the standing leader together 6 to 8 times, working from the eye toward the bend.
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4
Hold the wraps in place against the shank with your pinching fingers, then pull the standing leader slowly to draw the tag end through the wraps.
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5
Wet the wraps and continue pulling the standing leader until the coils slide up tight against the back of the hook eye.
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6
Trim the tag flush to the shank.
Products visible in the tutorial
These are the items the demonstrator uses on screen. Affiliate links where we have a match in our catalog.
When to use it
- Bait hooks for steelhead and salmon where you want the hook to drive straight along the line of pull on a head-shake.
- Fixed-position bait rigs — yarn balls, single eggs, or cured roe pinned to the shank.
- Drop-shot and live-bait setups where the leader exits the hook clean and stays out of the way.
- Any time you'd reach for an egg-loop but don't need the bait-trapping loop in front.
Common screw-ups
- Letting the wraps slide off the back of the shank as you cinch — pinch them against the metal until the tag is fully drawn through.
- Using a down-eye or ring-eye hook when the snell really wants an up-eye to align the pull cleanly along the shank.
- Going light on wraps — fewer than 6 and the knot slips the first time a steelhead head-shakes.
- Cinching with the tag instead of the standing line — only the standing line draws the wraps into their final seat.
Rigs that use this knot
Alternatives
The everyday terminal knot for hooks, jigs, spinners, and flies when you want a fast tie that behaves.
A strong, simple terminal knot that shines on braid, hooks, jigs, and drop-shot style presentations.
A versatile knot for terminal tackle, braid, and adjustable loops. If you learn one knot family, make it this one.
What to tie it with
