Snell Knot, Time to learn if you don't already know!

I am very excited to report that my findings on hooks is going to blossom into an article that will be submitted to In-Fisherman Magazine. (Not certain it will hit the news stand but will be submitted to them) I have tested many different models of hooks for flipping grass and other techniques that involve the more traditional casting of a plastic worm. During my testing I begin to report my findings to several In-Fisherman staff members and to my total surprise they told me to start writing.

I contacted Tim Norman of Youvella and he put in contact with his prostaff so that I could get detailed information about hooks and why the pros were picking the shapes they were. The main focus of my article will be on the shape of the hook and not the brand. Brand gets into personal preference and into a very controversial topic of brand loyalty and hook points. I decided to focus on shape.

If you are not aware the prostaff for Youvella is Peter T, Ish Monroe, Mike Iaconnelli, and Greg Hackney. I am excited to report that I have heard from several of them and the information is pouring in. The shape of choice will come later but one over riding thing keeps coming up. The knot! That is right the knot being used is very important to the touring pros. I was surprised to hear the excitement in Greg Hackney's voice when he discussed the snell knot. It was excitement not because he was jumping up and down but rather because he was adamant that you must use the snell knot when using heavy weights and braid.

Ish Monroe didn't allow the discussion to go any further when the topic of knots came up. "I use the snell knot for everything now!" (Everything is in regard to sliding or pegged weights in a texas style rig) This mainly to be used in the straight shank hook and the offset. None the less the snell knot is being used when ever the pro's are using a sliding weight.

Interesting stuff! I spent a day experimenting with the knot and to say the least I was very impressed. I would have never believed that a knot could be such a huge difference in my hook up ratio. I used it on all shapes of hooks while using a sliding weight and found that for what ever reason my hook ups started to come in the roof of the mouth rather then the sides or the bottom.

I have included a detailed showing of how to tie the knot. Please try it and see the difference! I was amazed at my results and feel you will be also, enjoy!

Ross

The Snell Fishing Knot
The Snell Knot provides a strong connection when fishing with bait and using a separate length of leader. You can only use a Snell Knot with a leader.

SNELL KNOT
	1. Insert one end of the leader through the hook's eye, extending 1 to 2 inches past the eye. Insert the other end of the leader through the eye in the opposite direction pointing toward the barb of the hook. Hold the hook and leader ends between your thumb and forefinger of left hand. Leader will hang below the hook in a large loop.
	2. Take the part of the large lower loop that is closest to the eye and wrap it over the hook shank and both ends of the leader toward the hook's barb.
	3. Continue to wrap for 7 or 8 turns and hold wraps with left hand. Grip the end of the leader that is through the eyelet with your right hand and pull it slowly and steadily. Hold the turns with your left hand or the knot will unravel. When knot is almost tight, slide it up against the eye of the hook. Grip the short end lying along the shank of the hook with a pair of pliers. Pull this end and the standing line at the same time to completely tighten the knot.

Western Anglers

Upon reading a piece today on Basszone.com I was reminded how much of an east coast bias there is in the world of fishing. It amazes me that the rest of the country gives almost no credit to what happens in the west. The US Open is credited by Rick Clunn as being the toughest tournament in the world to win. Still 9 out of 10 bass heads couldn't tell you who if anyone has ever won the event.

The article in question is regarding Byron Velvick and his 2008 season. So many find his season to be a surprise, WHY????? The man has won the US Open not once but TWICE!!!!!!!!! The man can flat out fish. Sure he may wear to much hair products for your taste but why the hell does that give you the right to assume he can't fish. Yes he is the "Bachelor" so what!!!!! So are you telling me that if you were single and ABC wanted to put you on a show with over a dozen beautiful talented woman and you get to date them all and pick one you wouldn't? LIAR!!!!!!!

http://www.basszone.com/2008zlines/velvick1.htm

The western anglers have been forgotten and dismissed as guys who haven't "proven" themselves. Well folks Byron has done more before he left the west then I will ever do in my life in the world of bassfishing. He doesn't need to prove a thing to me. He qualified for the BassMasters Classic and oh by the way won the US Open TWICE!!!!

On a side note, do you know who else has won the US Open, Aaron Martens, he won in 2004 and 2005! Those that read this and think the west is just a bunch of sand with a few anglers that haven't "proven" themselves, think again! The west is perhaps the toughest proving ground there is. The lakes are large, small, clear, dirty, tidal, weedy, barrian, deep, and did I mention at times clear. The west if for real and should be taken seriously.

The names of Skeet Reese, Luke Clausen, Ish Monroe, Dean Rojas, Aaron Martens, Micheal Bennett, Brent Ehrler, Jared Lintner, John Murray, Brett Hite, and oh by the way Bryon Velvick should be respected as great anglers. Sure Skeet and Byron could use a little less hair products but that doesn't take away from the fact that they can fish. Take a look at the next big time tournament and notice the amount of CA guys or Western anglers are on the list and see how well they finished.

There is a ton of Western websites and magazines that bass fishermen should take a look at. Their ideas out west are cutting edge and if you get on them early you might just win a tournament or two and have to see that Byron Velvick can fish!

Have to share my fish story!

I have waited my whole life (I am only 33 so take it in stride! LOL) for this to happen and now it has been done three times in a year. The third time was this evening and it was a charm! I am speaking of having a Muskie or a Large Northern Pike eat the fish that I am reeling in. I have two things that I have always wanted to do.

1. Catch two fish with the same crankbait.
2. Have a Pike or Muskie eat the fish that I am reeling in.

Well number two has now happened three times in the same summer. The first was a Pike on Big Marine, the second was a Muskie on White Bear Lake, and the third was a MONSTER Muskie on White Bear Lake.

The third is always a charm. I was fishing a 7" Berkley Power Worm on a deep weed line on White Bear Lake when I felt the common tap tap of a small bass or sunfish. I was reluctant to set the hook as I felt it was nothing more then a sunfish. I finally set the hook and found a small fish to show for my snap of the rod. I reeled the small fish in for about 10 cranks of the reel when suddenly the fish stopped and smoked drag in another direction. I knew right away what had happened. This time I was rewarded by being able to fight the fish for an extended period of time and also seeing the massive fish. I have seen several large Muskies over the years and this one was by far and away the biggest. I would guess her in the 50" class. Perhaps 48 but far and away a monster.

The reason I am able to say the size is I fought the fish for approximately 15 to 20 seconds. The fish was very relaxed and not under stress at all as my hook was never in her mouth. I was able to bring her to the boat twice and got a good look at her a third time. It was a very interesting experience and a real eye opener. The Muskie is a beautiful fish and amazing when it has your fish in it's mouth. I swear it was almost like she knew what was going on and was having as much fun as I was!

I share this story to say, if you have the little fun goals in fishing like this, just stay on the water and they will come true! It was amazing and I am so happy to share my story!

Ross

Drop Shot Hooks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Late last week I said I would report on my findings of which hook and why. I bought several packs and also opened my eyes and mind up to new ideas. First the 4 hooks that are in question. I settled on these hooks as three of them are the major brands and the other is specifically called a Drop Shot hook.

1. Owner Mosquito Hook Size 4 - $2.29 per 10 pack for $.23 a hook
2. Gamakatsu Drop Shot Hook Size 2 - $1.99 per 6 pack for $.33 a hook
3. Mustad Wide Gap Drop Shot Hook Size 2 - $1.59 per 6 pack for $.26 a hook
4. Skinny Bear Extra Wide Gap Drop Shot Hook Size 2 - $1.99 per 6 pack for $.33 a hook

First Impressions:
1. The Owner has a slight offset from the shank to the hook point. Something you see in a circle hook but something I've never thought was that big of a deal. Surprised that Owner came in as the lowest priced hook. Premium brand and low price.
2. Gamakatsu seemed to be the best looking hook and also the one that I has always used and felt was the best. Great hook point and I expect it to be the winner at the end.
3. The Mustad has the largest bend in the eye and I was excited to see how the rigging was going to go. Not impressed at all with the hook point! It didn't even scratch my finger nail when I ran it across.
4. The Skinny Bear is only slightly wider gaped then the Gamakatsu and appears to be a solid hook but not impressed by the high price per hook for an "off brand." So close to the Gamakatsu I can't help but wonder if they are buying the hook from the same factory?????

Rigging Thoughts:
I rigged all hooks standard, 6lb Sunline Sniper with a Palomar knot and the tag end run back through the eye of the hook to make it stand up better. For testing reasons I used a 1/4oz weight so that when I looked at in the water I saw the same weight. I also used a 4.5" Robo Worm in New Ayu so that I was looking at the same rigging each time.

The Skinny Bear and the Gamakatsu are almost identical and I had to check them twice to make sure I had each hook on the rod that I thought I did. The hooks have the same bend on the eye that allows for good rigging but not great. The Mustad is not impressive and tends to not stand at the required 90 degree to the line. The Owner was the clear winner on rigging. 90 Degree from the line! Stood up great and was clearly the best looking hook of the bunch. I always had thought that a slight bend in eye was required. Once I rigged them all that idea went out the window! The bend that the Skinny Bear and the Gamakatsu has allows for a nice angle from the line but not the true 90 degree that drop shotters are looking for. The Owner was exactly 90 degrees each of the three times I tied it.

Fishing:
I know that this isn't an exact science since I was fishing over a couple of days and tried to give each hook equal time. Also a fisherman never really knows whether each bite is equal. If by luck the fish tends to eat one better then the other it will effect the results. That being said I was amazed by what I found!

I started out by NOT setting the hook and just reeling the reel fast and lifting such as a lot of CA guys do. When you do not set the hook at all the Gamakatsu was the clear winner but for what ever reason I have always done better when setting the hook. So for what I considered the real test I set the hook with a light snap like I always do. For those of you that may read this that are new to 6lb Sunline, this is NOT a solid hook set but rather a quick lift of the rod with a rather loose drag. Don't set the hook like a mad man or you will BREAK the line!!!!!

To my amazement the Owner was so clearly the winner it wasn't even close. I have not lost a single fish that I have fought with the Owner, not one! I will repeat that, not one! I was amazed!!!!!!!!! I have had several times both in the test and also using the Gamakatsu in "real world" use that I have lost fish. Nothing major but it just seemed like the Gamakatsu is a great hook that doesn't seem to always hook up. I wonder about two important things working together, 1-the offset point, 2-NOT having a 90 degree from the line. The Skinny Bear was just to close to the Gamakatsu and didn't separate itself. The Mustad was the clear looser! Bad angle from the line and bad hook up ratio. I lost several fish and missed several others. Several that I got into the boat came right off by taking the pressure off the hook. If the fish would have turned different it would have come off.

Ranking:
1. OWNER!!!!!! I am amazed to say but I have a new drop shot hook!!!!!! (Any body want to buy a bunch of Gamakatsu's???? LOL)
2. Gamakatsu, great hook point but clearly a looser to the Owner when you fish them side by side.
3. Skinny Bear, just way to close to the Gamakatsu. Same price so why?
4. Mustad, was not impressed and would not buy or even use if you gave them to me.

Ross

Let the Hook Battles Begin!!!!!

Over the coming weeks I will be judging a number of different hooks from a number of different companies. I intend on reporting my findings and giving a detailed list of each hook and how I felt it preformed.

I have three different areas that I intend on concentrating. 1. Drop Shot hooks, 2. Flipping Hooks, and 3. Casting Hooks (Texas Rigged).

Having spent the past 6 years working in the fishing industry and selling a line of hooks I am the first to admit that I have not fished with very many different brands. Well that is about to change!!!! I have the drop shot hooks coming from Tackle Warehouse and they should arrive today. I have the purchased a number of different hooks for the casting option as well. The Flipping Hooks will be coming from all over the map.

Please check back and I'll give you my findings.

Thank you!
Ross