Question about a tarpon knot

[Zach Matthews]

Hey guys –

I posted a quick video this week of the knot I use for stripers, the non-slip mono loop knot:

So when I posted this on Twitter a guy mentioned that he ties a similar knot, except that instead of wrapping five turns around the running line and then passing through the open knot at the end, he actually just makes an overhand knot in the running line and tightens down the open knot so the running light knot jams it. Does that make sense? The end result is a little off-kilter but definitely small, and it would be super quick to tie.

Anyone know what this knot is called? Use it?

Zach

[T. Wiles]

I’m trying to picture the knot you describe, but just can’t picture the step. When I tie 60 or 80 lb fluoro, it takes only about 2 turns for the thicker line to coil and cinch up the line…the lighter line can easily take 5 turns in the coil/clinch of that knot.

Now, if you tie an overhand knot on the working end of your leader, it cuts the line strength down by half….that’s a trick some use for tarpon like say by using 40 lb fluoro for abrasion resistance, but allowing the ability to break the line without damaging your flyline.
If you’re suggesting using the overhand knot in the tag stem if the loop knot, as a brake, I could picture that.

[Phil Brna]

Zach, I am not sure of the knot from your description but for tarpon I use another loop knot. A half improved Homer Rhodes. You can look it up and see if it is the knot you are looking for. It is a jam knot that make a loop and is good for heavy tippet. The normal loop knot you posted does not work very well for heavy tippet. The Homer Rhodes involves an overhand knot tighten down so it makes a figure 8, feeding the end through the 8, and then tying an overhand around the standing line and jamming it. It never comes out.

[Bob Riggins]

I use the non slip loop you illustrated almost exclusively for saltwater flies (although I use 4 turns). I have never heard of a knot that the guy described particularly for tarpon. The way I visualize it is similar to an arbor knot, but with the second overhand loop tied around the running line rather than just tied in the tag end. I can see how it would jam, but it seems it would be significantly weaker. It does not have the turns around the running line that adds strength and also, the fact that the tag end does not run back though the original overhand knot would make it tighter and therefore, weaker.

Most tarpon fishermen I know tie a Homer Rhode knot like Phil described.

[Zach Matthews]

Bob I think it basically is an arbor knot. It definitely hangs off to the side some like that knot does. Interesting stuff guys.

Zach

[Kent Edmonds]

Hey Zach –

Phil’s on target here. I think the knot Twitter guy referred to was the Homer Rhodes loop knot.

I’ve used the basic HRL for year’s – it’s in the Kreh-Sosin knot book from way back and several of Lefty’s books too.

It’s strictly a shock/bite tippet knot for heavier mono, as it’s almost impossible to pull anything over 20# tight in a non-slip mono. It’s only a 50-60% knot so you want use it only in line that’s at least 2 times heavier than your class tippet. Because of it’s simplicity, it can be pulled tight even in very heavy mono though you probably need to use pliers to really pull down.

It’s a good knot for the purpose and very quick. It’s also very easy to tie a specific size loop for your particular circumstance.

Here’s a good video on tying the knot. Beware however, he mentions using it in 8-10# line – if you do this you’ll have a 4-5# test knot in your system. I’d use it only on heavy bite tippets.

Kent - FlyFishGA

[Aaron Christensen]

That’s an excellent knot demonstration, Zach. I tie the same knot but only use three wraps around (instead of 5) because that it how a redfish guide taught me to do it. Has anyone else experimented with different numbers of wraps or done some sort of strength test for the best number of wraps?

[Buzz Bryson]

Aaron,

Yes on using different numbers of wraps. In fact, Lefty used his knot machine to test various numbers of turns. He recommends (if I recall correctly off the top of my head) as few as a couple for heavier materials to as many as seven or so for lighter material. But five is a good number of middle of the road, streamer-strength tippet materials. Heavier tippets and “grabby” materials (seems mostly the harder nylons and fluorocarbon) might require a bit of finessing and help (lube – – – spit works, but something like lip balm or some of the fly line dressings are slicker).

Agree with Kent on the knot. The description does sound like an arbor knot, but I suspect the intent was to describe the Homer Rhode loop knot.

Buzz

[Aaron Christensen]

Buzz, good info. Thanks.

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