loop knot

A loop knot tied to the jig helps bring out the best action.

Rather than joining mainline to dropper via a traditional blood knot, he prefer a dropper loop knot. "A dropper loop gives the bait more freedom of movement," he says.

Some anglers also tie small flies on to a leader by way of a Rapala type loop knot. I've never tried this but I'm told it can be very successful.

Three couples including my wife, Pam, and I, Raymond and Nancy Wilhide, Phil Lamborne and Barbara Lord started by learning to tie three basic knots: the improved clinch for attaching items like swivels or hooks, the double uni for joining two lines without a swivel, and the loop knot for tying the leader onto a lure to provide maximum freedom of movement.

I also like a loop knot to the jighead, allowing it to move freely in the water.

You also can borrow a technique used by fly fishermen for leader attachment: Tie a loop knot on the end of your mainline and interlock that loop with the one on the worm leader.

A loop knot gives the fly more side-to-side movement.

And on ringed-eye jigs, consider replacing a standard clinch or Palomar knot with a loop knot, such as a double surgeon's knot or nonslip loop.

Caption: Redfish taken on a versatile attractor fly with dumbell eyes and a loop knot for maximum action.

To assist in drawing down and tightening my dropper loop knot, I screwed in a threaded cup holder hook between the bottom two dowels in the triangle.

Connect the jighead to the leader with a loop knot or if you prefer, a five-wrap uni-knot.

The jig is attached to the leader by tying a loop knot that allows the jighead to pivot up and down.