How to Tie Snelled Fishing Hooks With an Egg Loop Knot

Brian M. Kelly photo

Steelhead anglers from Seattle to Syracuse prefer to use salmon eggs as their primary bait of choice since eggs are so effective at luring steelhead to bite. With any fishing technique, there is a preferred method of rigging eggs that presents the bait in a natural manner while maintaining a high hooking rate. The egg loop knot holds a piece of salmon eggs in place during repeated casts and drifts. Mastering this difficult knot will lead to less time baiting the hook and more time to catch hard-fighting steelhead.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step 1

Cut the leader material to the desired length and be sure to account for 8 inches of line this knot will consume. Leader lengths can vary, but a good rule is 5 to 6 feet for clear water conditions, 2 to 4 feet for normal or stained water and 1 foot or less for dirty water.

Step 2

Place one end of the leader through the eye of the hook and hold that end of the leader at the bend of the hook with your thumb and forefinger.

Step 3

With your other hand, begin wrapping the leader around the shank of the hook beginning at the eye of the hook and working toward the bend of the hook until you have 18 to 20 tight wraps in place.

Step 4

Take the other end of the leader and and place it through the eye of the hook in the opposite direction, starting at the bend and going out the eye of the hook away from you. Be sure to maintain pressure on the wraps so they do not loosen.

Step 5

Make five to six wraps over the line you just placed through the eye, starting behind the previous wraps and working toward the bend of the hook.

Step 6

Pinch all the wraps with one hand and slowly pull the remaining leader through the eye of the hook. Pull the knot tight and you are ready to hit the river.

Tips & Warnings

Practice makes perfect with this knot. Keep at it until you can tie it without trouble.

Do not try to tie this knot on the river. Adding wind and rain to the mix can make for a frustrating situation.

Resources

Salmon Trout Steelheader

Article Written By Brian M. Kelly

Brian M. Kelly has been freelance writing since 2003. His work has been published in respected outdoor magazines such as Outdoor Life, Great Lakes Angler and Salmon Trout Steelheader. He holds an associate's degree in automated machine design from Macomb College.

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