How to Tie a live bait hook w/perfection loop

[Mark Mc]

I was asked this question, so here it is in pictures.

This has been the "industry standard" way of tying on a live bait hook onto a loop. It uses the "perfection loop" but this has also been known as a "live bait loop" for many decades.

Description of loop:
http://www.marlinnut.com/knots/perfection.shtml

"1. Form a loop with standing portion behind. Grip crossing section with thumb and forefinger. If you're using the loop to attach terminal tackle, slide the hardware over the tag end now.
2. Turn tag end around front of loop to create a second loop.
3. Lay tag end in valley between two loops.
4. Slip second loop (with hardware, if present) through first loop pulling slowly, but steadily to close final knot."

OK here's what it looks like when you put a hook inside:






This first loop must be big enough to put the hook through; however it does not become the actual (final) loop.




OK....take note of this second loop...this will be the actual loop. So you want to adjust it now, to the size you want the loop to become.





The third loop is a tight turn, shown pinched between my fingers. You need to hold this tightly. Now....the hook (& loop) on the left side, will pass through the loop on the right side.....



.....like this







At this point you can just pull the hook & loop to tighten it, but this often makes a bigger loop than you might like. So I will pull on the tag and a bit to take the slack out on that end, thereby keeping the loop smaller.








Note that you can use this for large hooks on heavy line. Here is a 20/0 circle hook, on 250 lb test line.





The one drawback to this loop is that it has around 80% knot strength. Yes there are other loops with higher percentage strength. But this one can be tied very quickly & easily. And line / leader breaks are usually because of frays & chew-offs, not because of an 80% knot.

[Freakwater]

Great post Mark! Having a hard time laying out more than $0.50 a piece for ringed hooks when I can buy 50 mustad hooks for $2.99!

Freakwater

[Hammer Down]

Is there ANY limit to the love that is Mark Mc?

Thanks Mark, for any of the people that need to know.......

(for me, I've been practicing these at my desk now for about 4 years, can tie them in my sleep!)

[Chrome Bumper]

Beautiful post, I would hurl for sure if I tried to tie that on a pitching deck. Now where do you buy those ringed hooks?

[Hanapa'a Time]

Great post Mark

I used this down in Baja when we ran out of ringed hooks one day. Several Dodos were landed on that set up

I would not hesitate to use it for albies up here.

Keta was gracious enough to keep us supplied with ringed hooks for the rest of the trip

[Mark Mc]

There was a time....not too long ago....that ringed hooks didn't exist. So just a few west-coast fish have been caught on a live bait loop....like around 900 million.

Feelin' the love......hehe.....can I tell my wife?

[Tower Todd]

I saw a Mexican Captian tie the perfection loop in what seemed to be 2 seconds. So fast I couldn't even tell what he was doing. Now all I need to do is practice it about 21,000 times more and I'll be that fast. Thanks for the "How To" Mc.

Tower Todd

[Hammer Down]

Everyone,

That is one of my off-season 'keep it fresh' things to do. Practice tying different knots.

I always keep about 4 different sized hooks at my desk, and 3 different thicknesses of mono. From very small to very large. I then practice all the basic knots (San Diego, Perfection Loop, Bimini Twist, Albright, etc.) all off season long. It gives me a chance to re-live the past season, and keep the basics fresh in my mind. I practice with both hands too. Sometimes you need to tie in a hurry and can't get everything switched around "just so".

Chrome Bumper: I too will do the "blew chunks" if my head is down for too long concentrating on a knot. By practicing, and KNOWING that you can tie all the basic knots blind-folded your confidence goes up, and hopefully the queasies will be at bay. Confidence on a boat (in yourself, the captain and crew) is everything.

And No Mark, you can't tell the wife. But something tells me she already knows!

[elkhuntr28]

Great Post!!!

[Mark Mc]

Bump, for Cornfed & gang.

[Nalu]

Gotta love that Pilar knot!

[Barviewrocks]

[quote=Mark Mc;1293392]I was asked this question, so here it is in pictures.

Thanks for the primer Mark. I was wanting to learn how to tie this because I wanted to use this when fly fishing. I think it will give the fly some added action when I use things like streamers swinging across the current. We will see if it is more effective...

[Nordic Sun]

This same knot when tied in rope is called a "BUTTERFLY Knot" and is used to tie a loop in the middle of a line. It is used in rescue work because it is bidirectional,( it can be loaded safely from either direction).

A very handy knot with many lifelong applications. One I recommend for study and practice.

Bob

[Wet Fly]

[quote=Barviewrocks;1755056]

Originally Posted by Mark Mc

I was asked this question, so here it is in pictures.

Thanks for the primer Mark. I was wanting to learn how to tie this because I wanted to use this when fly fishing. I think it will give the fly some added action when I use things like streamers swinging across the current. We will see if it is more effective...

It works I have been using it for the last couple of years on a fly that looks like a scater but doe's not skate. last year I averaged 4 stealhead a day for six days.

[StickFish]

I've used that for swim baits as well - fancy that they were Mark's

[fishbait]

Question for those that know more than me:

I was taught to use a Rapala knot, which retains 95% of the line strength and I think easier to tie.

Why is the perfection loop appartently more popular? What am I missing?

Thanks

Also, while we are talking knots, this from a NewZeland web site: ( http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/fishin...ing_knots.html )

Paul's Fishing Kites have conducted extensive research on fish hook types, fishing hook sizes, and measured the effects of using a snell knot to attach the fish hook to the line versus tying fishing hooks in the New Zealand snapper fishery.
It was found that the type of fishing hook knots used has a significant effect on catch rates and the snell knot performs best.

Circle hooks with a snell knot (the strongest fishing hook knots) were found to have the highest catch rate by a considerable margin and caught more than twice as many fish as either O'Shaugnessy and Octopus patterned hooks of the same size.
The method of tying fishing hooks was also investigated and a difference in catch rate between tying a circle hook versus snelling a circle hook was determined to be around 20% in favor of the snell knot.

I have never snelled a circle hook but just might have to give it a try this comming season. I always thought just the opposite, so looking for more information.

I wonder if anybody knows any long line Halibut fisherman that might have some experience with catch rates with differrent knots.

[Nordic Sun]

Steve
Please try tying a snell on a 16/0 circle hook with 200lb test mono, and let me know what you think.

Since I use 300 lb with crimps, line or knot breakage is not an issue.
Bob

[DGindlesperger]

I think that was in my old cub scout hand book

[fishbait]

[quote=ODIN;1755951]Steve
Please try tying a snell on a 16/0 circle hook with 200lb test mono, and let me know what you think.

Well I suprised myself. I just went out to my fishing bench, cut about 2 ft of 250 Big Game Mono and doug out a 16/0 circle hook and ya know what. Tying a egg loop/snell knot was a piece of cake. Seriously, easy deal. Now the big game is pretty soft, but still easy to tie.

Knot came out perfect and I like the look and like the egg/bait loop. I will definately fish this rigging and see what happens. Strong knot (95%), easy to tie, and the bait loop will not hurt. Plus this solves the issue I have with the big crimp forming the eye of the circle hook and the sharp edge/potential binding spot.

Try itself if your a non believer, easy deal.


Now back to the original thread and my original question.

Perfection loop vs. rapala knot. What am I missing.


Will quote Bill Herzog (fresh water guy) No one knows more than all of us.

[Cornfed]

Mark.

Have been gone the past few days so I am just catching up on IFISH. Thanks for the wealth of knowledge! When are you going to start "TUNA UNIVERSITY"?