How to Tie a Leader to a Hook

Catch fish with a strongly connected leader and hook.

Tying a strong knot to join a leader to the hook is necessary to ensure you can secure a catch and prevent fish from slipping off of your line. The snell knot is one of the older knots that anglers use to tie a leader directly to a baited hook, according to the Animated Knots by Grog website. It effectively aligns the leader with the hook shank and provides a strong connection that preserves the strength of the line.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors

Instructions

1. Slide the end of the leader through the hook eye.

2. Pass the end of the leader again through the hook eye in the same direction.

3. Hold the hook eye and both parts of the leader. This forms a loop.

4. Make eight wraps around the hook shank with the loop.

5. Pull the standing end of the leader to shrink the loop.

6. Lubricate the knot and secure by pulling both ends. Cut off the excess.

References

• Animated Knots by Grog: Snell Knot