How to Tie a Snell Knot

Here are a couple flipping setup tips that you might find useful as well as a walk-thru of how I was taught to tie a snell knot.
Snelling is something you do when employing straight shank hooks for plastic presentations. Especially popular for flipping applications, the snell knot helps to increase hookups by kicking out the hook when pressure is placed on the line. There are quite a few versions but this is the way I was taught and it's pretty foolproof.
Check out Monster Fishing Tackle for all the products used in the vids: www.OutdoorProS...

[@biggoon07]

I only make 3 wraps and never had a problem. Learned it in one of Bub Tosh's vids some time ago. Has never failed me...

[@trevorbraden5448]

Been using the Snell knot on our Catfish rigs for awhile now...... my fishing buddy showed me. ...... never thought about it for bass, until I seen this on another channel he rushed through how to tie it... your video shows it very well . .....Thanks

[@fjin1]

I watched this video 8 years ago and I use this methods for 8 years. Thank you

[@mikeybalzz]

That's awesome!!!

[@stephenwarren1585]

This a knot my DAD taught me when I first started Bass fishing. I have hooked some big fish in heavy cover just about every time. And though he passed way before his time I think of him every time I hook into big Bass and know his their with

[@CaptainShane]

Mike I just watched this again to brush up on my knot. Thanks brother!

[@715basser]

I just changed over to the flippin' hook last week, been using the regular offset hooks. Gonna have to try the snell knot to see my hook up chances are! Thanks for this informative clip, it really helps!

[@bchalk22]

Great vid man tied my first one just now watching this and man that hook pops up real nice

[@jakekirkman9651]

That intro, I felt like all you needed was an eagle to fly over and it would have looked like a bill dance video lol. But Honestly, I didn’t know how to tie a snell and this popped up on my feed, one of the better and easier to see wtf is going on videos. 👊

[@TackleJunky81]

Great video bud!!! I did a vid a couple months ago on punch skirts and flippin hooks and that's the way I tied the snell knot. I seen Bub Tosh tie it like that. It's a great knot and I love the tip about 2 bobber stops.

[@godzilla633]

hey mikey, yeah i've been using this straight shank set up for a while already before id tried the d&m flippin hooks. this set up is great! hook up ratio will increase big time. what i also like to do is dont peg the stopper too close to the weight and let the weight kinda free but not too much. this way when your yo yoing the bait, it wont poke through the bait.

[@rickyreynolds9056]

Back in tha day right here!!😂👍🎣💪🏻

[@guidobenedit1]

Thanks for this info, It looks like this would work in keeping the pressure on as well as engaging the hook. Thanks!

[@joshwooldridge9587]

Oh how Mikey has evolved! Still love you videos today, keep it up!

[@randallford8199]

Thanks for the excellent advice

[@whip_n_reels4160]

Thanks for the lesson bud, been tryna learn that one by myself here lately😂

[@MONTEGOBLUE]

I have a video o i my page showing a different snell thats easy as well but ive had this snell above slip on me

[@ronanoutdoors]

This OG vid popped up in my feed. 🤣🤣🤣

[@cool_hand_luke97]

after watching this video i started trying it and my hook up ratio has been great u can tell the diffrence thanks mike!!

[@mikeybalzz]

that's sweet! glad to hear it. a buddy showed it to me and i had the same experience.

[@cool_hand_luke97]

it definitely makes a diffrence so when you gonna come out with a new flipping vid man im deing for a new one aint talked to ya in a while hope all is good man

[@mikeybalzz]

colby turner got a couple i'm working on man. will have a sight fish vid up shortly that turned out pretty cool.

[@JesseParksFishing]

awesome video mike. thought me something new. keep up the work.

[@ReelinTension]

sean had to have showed you that..Him and a couple of others guys on fbn had me start using that set-up and it has helped my hook ratio a good bit..I still though sometimes in the real think stuff perfer the owner 5/0 wide gap plus hooks just because it seems to hold the bait a little better then the keeper without tearing the bait up as quick

[@fishinfever3577]

good info!!! The main thing is make sure you go in the hook the correct way or it will pop backwards.

[@chuco760VI]

I just started snelling my straight shank hooks too, so far so good.

[@tscr6]

yeah man, its a great set up (i see other guys use it). i dont use it, i use the ewg hooks. but ive been starting to think about using the strait shanks.

[@jsegoviafishing8919]

If you want to get really cheap with pegging, try using a tooth pick. I ran out bobber stoppers and tried using one, it worked well enough to get me through the day.

[@huntinwithdalton]

B R U H . . . . This intro was hard af homie..

[@AaronSForeman]

Thanks bro. Good luck out there.

[@ladybugdesigns]

Thanks man i will use that knot alot thanks again

[@bmurr7]

I agree with you, I've hooked more fish through the roof of the mouth thanks to the snell knot on my flippin setups. Good video!

[@nutechlures6130]

snelling a hook with an open eyelet will cut the line in the ring gap. also, the keeper on the hook shank will catch the bass's mouth coming out, and prevent forward movement of the hook. that equates to a lost fish. the hook point never had a chance to go through. bo

[@TimKollat]

you do the loopty loop and pull, now your hooks are lookn cool...

[@benjaminperez9482]

Huge help, thanks much :)

[@capecodsfishingfinest2398]

Huge help thanks

[@barryiwashita6352]

I always snell hooks when it’s a bare hook.... BUT .... most people overlook the fact that hook profile and penetration angle is the most important... simple test is to hold your leader line and let the tip of your hook touch your finger and look at the entry angle of the point of the hook ... if the point with the barb not going in straight in and at an angle ... it’s not going to penetrate effectively .... yes, there is a place for straight shank hooks , don’t get me wrong... but hook profile is the most important for ease of penetration ... although the right knot with a lesser optimum hook can present a better penetration angle !!... do the test !!... ALOHAS from HI 😎

[@rizsauvage]

Thanks Mike !

[@robertchapman2924]

Have not tried this one yet, but I think I'm switching over to straight-shanked hooks (been having a lot of missed fish on the hookset)... I do like how the hook flips up - I think that will definitely improve my hook-up ratio. My go-to's have been the Palomar for braid), and the improved-clinch for mono/flouro. I have *never* had a Palomar knot break - in fact, I got snagged once on a log near the bank, and as I was trying to pull it loose I actually pulled the boat to the log. It can actually be a bit annoying when you're certain you won't get the lure unsnagged, and you just cannot break it, especially with braid. Sometimes I'll have a clinch pull out, but yeah, never had a Palomar break. How is the strength of the Snell compared to the Palomar? And in your opinion, how does the Palomar compare to the Uni? It's another strong-looking knot that I want to try. LOVE your stuff, brah... keep 'em comin'. Peace, and tight lines!

[@mikewengerlurereview]

Good video you should do a lot more tips and tricks videos

[@Trivbang]

Cool vid man, I've heard about people doing this never looked into it all that much. When are the new go-pro vids gonna drop? -Matt

[@basskings2012]

I saw you on the lake today it was a windy day trying to find some fish for my state tourament Friday

[@luevang4667]

4 year old video and im just learning about this knot

[@fishinginferno]

FINALLY! THNX U!!!

[@kh40yr]

Use this knot with 25lb Izorline Platinum and a 3/0 Gamakatsu Big River open eye (eye pinched closed) when bank plunking/ fishing for salmon,steelhead. If the fish grab the Spin glow as well,then the hook pops up as indicated. A sure hook set with hands off the pole. I wrap 10 times on the shank when making the Snell. This gives you 95% line strength with just a touch of give. Also, on the Palomar, you want to make sure that the loops that form on the eye DO NOT CROSS. They need to lay side by side on the eye and wet the line well as Mike indicated. Palomar knot is 100% line strength when tied properly. I use the Palomar on wiggle warts that are swivel stopped higher up on the main line. Always leave a bit extra tag end when finishing the Trilene knot, because they always slip a bit, no matter how good you think you are at tying it.

[@tripod1229]

Great video. I'm stilk trying to figure out what the bobber stops are for. Is it to prevent the weight from sliding so far up the line during workin the bait and hook sets.

[@tommymckiddy7872]

I've been using the double bobber stop for a while now. While one works good to stop a bobber it doesn't work so well for a weight. If you want to get them cheaper they have them on Wish, just don't buy anything else fishing related from there.

[@MrNetbait123]

Miley, try the BPS brand of bobber stoppers... 45 of those things for 1:99$ just got some yesterday!

[@jtomlinsonfishing1406]

Tie a snell knot right at the off set of an offset hook, and your plastics will never slip off your line down a hook or get snagged, little tip, this old school fella showed me

[@AnglingAuthority]

Hey man! this is a great tip!. I like the idea of using straight shank and it looks like it will increase hookups. However, it seems less weedless than using a EWG rigged texas style... is there any way of burying the hook in the bait so its as weedless as an EWG hook you know of?

[@hackamore]

I see you have braid cuts on each index finger. You need some Finger Saver Rings by Daiichi-Seiko.

[@godzilla633]

no problem bro keep it tight linez

[@fishingwithvin]

Cool thanks

[@nutechlures6130]

actually when the hook is swinging up like you are showing the hook point is turning away from the target area. the hook point need to stay in a line with the pull of the line and the roof of the bass's mouth. just think about what i stated. just take a hook, put your hand over the top, and then rotate the hook as it does with the snelled line. the hook point instatly is turning away from the target area. bo

[@MirageScience]

this is a snelled uni-knot, not a snell knot. idk which one is better. they both can be made to flip out when jerked.

[@randyphillips9838]

I know this is an old video...but it’s a good one!! Now, got an easy but reliable way to tie braid to fluoro??? 🤣

[@mnbassinman]

Alberto

[@cbradquillen]

Oh yeah, out of curiosity, why should it not be used with tubes? What happens? What are some other limitations or disadvantages? If I get to experiment any, I'll holler back at you...but since I'm in grad school I'm not sure that I'll get to :(.

[@mikeybalzz]

you don't want to use a straight shank with tubes because it doesn't hold the bait nor does it kick thru the wall very well. offset hooks are much better when tossing weedless tubes.

[@biggoon07]

Oh another tip nobody talks about is how to cut the knot off the hook. Use a razor blade to slice it off the shank of the hook. I keep it right there in my plano box that has all my tungsten and misc punching and flippn stuff.

[@StuntN187]

Would you actually say it helps with hook ups since you've been using the knot??

[@AaronSForeman]

Awesome video. When using the bobber stoppers, do you think the diameter line is really something I need to factor in? Of course I dont want it to be loose, but rather snug. I've been looking at some and Ive found some 8-14 lb bobber stoppers. I am using 65lb braid which is equivelant to 16lb dia. What is your take on it man?

[@ToadSnatchers]

I snell my EWG's!

[@bill1388]

nice video

[@chromaticvisionstudio5489]

Roland Martin special

[@cbradquillen]

Hey dude, thanks :). Does snelling an extra-wide gap hook or any other offset-shank hook produce a similar lever action? ...or is this something that is best limited to straight-shank hooks?

[@mikeybalzz]

it does work to an extent with a wide gap but i'm not a fan. i had some weird hook ups when i tried it out. me personally, i only do it on a straight shank.

[@Jason23Gar]

Fingernail clippers work better than scissors. You can keep them in your pocket or whatever.

[@NolanAndrewsFishing]

Do you have to use a straight shank hook?

[@zommaccio]

GRAZIE!... by: GIove and Giacomo

[@NolaGB]

Forgive the rookie question, but what is the black material just below the eye of the hook?? Did you call it a "bait keeper"??

[@mikeybalzz]

yeah it's the "keeper". it's flared up on one end and once the bait slides over it, it keeps it from sliding down.

[@bigbuck2720]

Really did you watch this video before posting, most of what you were showing was off camera?

[@mikeybalzz]

I don’t know it was 10 years ago.

[@_r.t-]

Looks similar to hangmans noose

[@fishinfever3577]

i always keep a razor blade in my tackle boxs and it cuts it right off with ease. Thats what most other guys do that I know also

[@zenbooter]

Update!!!! Check out tight lines Video "How to smell a hook". And read the few comments.

[@keithtidwell1277]

How far away do you leave your sinker stop ?

[@mikeybalzz]

maybe a quarter to a half inch. don't want it snug but also don't want it way up from the weight.

[@keithtidwell1277]

Thank you very much good vid by the way.

[@jimwilliams4759]

Hey bro what kind of tungsten do you use for pitching?

[@mikeybalzz]

Using hawg tech stuff.

[@jimwilliams4759]

@@mikeybalzz thanks!

[@ThaBassWhisperer]

Does it work or is it useless?

[@bassanglerforlife5]

Aye bro what size bobber stops do u use on 65# power pro

[@thattattoodtarotdudemattb5378]

u can buy1500 bobber stops on amazon for like 7 bucks brother incase u didnt kno

[@rangerbull]

Can’t this be used on a regular worm hook?

[@mikeybalzz]

definitley

[@FishintheSouth]

What kind of bullet weight is that?

[@Zanzabar5]

Any knot, including this one on braid, breaks for me when im fishing.

[@zacpearson1878]

Zorbacci DONT use power pro braid it’s probably your line quality or # test

[@mossner101]

I use 25 pd test for salmon and trout and I was using the 2 different of the common knots the improved clinch knot and the trilene knot and both slipped and the trilene is not post to slip at all is there a non slip knot you could tell me about?

[@MONTEGOBLUE]

I have a snell on my page that will not slip check it out

[@Davo2233]

inkmonster double trilene knot

[@BRUCEMCFAYDEN]

Mikey where do u buy your bobber stopper sir

[@mikeybalzz]

bruce these are the best one's i've found thus far - only place i've seen them is online www.outdoorproshop.com/6th-Sense-Punch-Stops-p/6thsense-punch-stop.htm

[@BRUCEMCFAYDEN]

Thanks brother

[@zenbooter]

Still a much better way, I'm going to have my wife hold the phone and do the video. When you see it you'll maybe think of the simplicity of the Davy knot. I promise.

[@thomaskurian4446]

can you pls tell me the name of the black thing which helps to hook faster

[@mikeybalzz]

+Thomas Kurian the black thing on the hook?

[@thomaskurian4446]

yes whats it called

[@signalcollector]

+Thomas Kurian The black thing on the hook is called a bait keeper. Helps keep the bait from sliding down the hook.

[@thomaskurian4446]

WELL THATS NOT THE COMMON NAME AND IM TAKING ABOUT THE ONE LYING LOSE ON THE LINE...THX

[@signalcollector]

+Thomas Kurian Then you are talking about the black weight on the line. That's just a standard bullet weight.

[@clayvantfishing4270]

👍🏻

[@DIY_Z]

Do you still use the snell knot?

[@mikeybalzz]

definitely

[@mmaylin]

You could almost see what you were doing

[@scottyates9139]

You should just show how to tie the knot. Too much detail man.

[@dennisrenner1680]

This camera work is brutal. Great info but way to bouncy to watch. 🤮🤢

[@Buchstabensuppe75]

4 Minutes of blabla till you finally start knotting...

[@mikeybalzz]

Buchstabensuppe75 gotta tease it before I go full send.

[@bigfish454m]

bro get a snelling tool

[@bradleylaw6469]

That not is amazing.

[@ryanc248]

I think u miss spelled your channel name it should be called Mickeymouseballs

[@ryanc248]

Jk bro that was a bad joke but anyways nice vid keep up the good work

[@mikeybalzz]

i don't get it?

[@tripod1229]

Great video. I'm stilk trying to figure out what the bobber stops are for. Is it to prevent the weight from sliding so far up the line during workin the bait and hook sets.

[@mikeybalzz]

exactly - it keeps the weight semi-fixed which (especially for punching) ensures you get more collective momentum going into the cover - it also makes sure that if the weight gets thru the cover, the bait comes with it.