A snelled hook works for old drum

When an angler decides to target bull reds, he should learn to tie the strongest knot possible to attach hooks to terminal tackle.

For guide Kevin Sneed of Holden Beach, who has been fishing for 20 years, the solution is to tie a “snell” knot.

“I’ve never had one come apart or break with a big red drum,” said Sneed, who ties 7/0 circle or Octopus hooks to 80-pound fluorocarbon leader with a snell knot.

It takes only three steps to tie the knot. Here they are:

• Insert one end of the leader through the hook’s eye, form a loop, then insert 1 or 2 inches of the leader also through the eye in the opposite direction toward the hook’s barb;

• Take the part of the loop closest to the eye and wrap around the hook and shank and both ends of the leader toward the barb 7 or 8 times. Grip the end of the leader that is through the eyelet with the right hand and pull slowly and steadily while holding the loops with the left hand or the knot will unravel.

• When the knot is almost tight, slide it up against the hook eyelet. With a pair of pliers, grip the short end lying along the shank with the left hand and pull this end and hold the standing line with right hand at the same time to tighten the knot. Trim the tag end.