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Diagram

Homer Rhode Loop Knot

Homer Rhodes · Homer Rhode

Heavy-leader free-swing loop for lures when you want action without a tiny tippet loop knot.

Loop · Intermediate · Monofilament / Fluorocarbon · 4 steps

ApplicationsHow to tie it
Homer Rhode Loop Knot, finishedHomer Rhode Loop Knot, finished

Finished structure

Drawn from a rope model of this knot: which strand passes over which comes from where the rope actually lies.

  1. Tie a loose overhand about 10 cm (4 in) from the end, then pass the tag through the eyeA loose overhand knot sits in the line a short way from the end, and the tag end passes through the lure's eye.
    1Loose overhand
    2Tag through the eye
    Move 1 of 3Tie a loose overhand about 10 cm (4 in) from the end, then pass the tag through the eye
    Bring the tag back through the overhand, entering on the side the tag leaves itThe tag comes back from the eye and passes through the overhand beside the line leading to the eye, on the same side, leaving the lure in a loop.
    1Back through the overhand
    Move 2 of 3Bring the tag back through the overhand, entering on the side the tag leaves it
    Snug the overhand down close to the eye, with the tag still running through itThe overhand is drawn small just above the lure's eye, and the tag comes out of it beside the standing line, heading up the line.
    1First knot near the eye
    Move 3 of 3Snug the overhand down close to the eye, with the tag still running through itYou should now see: A snug overhand just above the eye, with the tag running through the eye and back through it beside the line.

    Step 01

    Tie a loose overhand knot about 10 cm (4 in) from the end. Pass the tag through the eye and back through the overhand, entering on the side the tag leaves it, then snug the overhand close to the eye.

    You should now see

    A snug overhand in the standing line sitting at or just above the eye, with the tag running through the eye and back through that overhand beside the line.

    If it goes wrong

    Taking the tag back through the overhand from the wrong side. The tag crosses over itself inside the knot and the overhand will not slide close to the eye.

    Fix: Pull the tag back out of the overhand and pass it through again from the side where the tag leaves the knot.

    Why: The tag has to run through the first knot so the knot can slide along it later. Starting that knot close to the eye keeps the loop size under your control.

  2. Take the tag round the standing line twice, two side-by-side turns above the first knotThe tag rises from the first knot to the standing line a short way above it and makes two open side-by-side turns round the standing line.
    1Two turns round the standing line
    Move 1 of 2Take the tag round the standing line twice, two side-by-side turns above the first knot
    Pass the tag back through both turns and snug the second knot so it still slidesThe tag comes out of the last turn and runs back through both turns beside the standing line, leaving the second knot at the end nearest the first knot.
    1Back through both turns
    Move 2 of 2Pass the tag back through both turns and snug the second knot so it still slidesYou should now see: A second knot of two neat parallel turns on the standing line, a short way above the first knot, that slides when pushed.

    Step 02

    Take the tag around the standing line twice, making two side-by-side turns, and pass it through them to tie a second knot above the first. Snug it so it can still slide on the standing line.

    You should now see

    A second knot with two neat parallel turns around the standing line, a short way above the first knot, that moves along the line when pushed.

    If it goes wrong

    The two turns crossing each other, or the tag wrapped around itself as well as the standing line. The second knot looks lumpy and binds instead of sliding.

    Fix: Loosen the second knot, lay the two turns side by side around the standing line only, and snug it again.

    Why: The second knot is the stopper. When the standing line is pulled, the first knot slides up the tag until it jams against this knot, and the loop grows by the gap between them.

  3. Slide the second knot along the standing line until the gap matches the loop you wantThe first knot stays just above the eye while the second knot has been slid further up the standing line, widening the gap between them.
    1Gap sets the loop size
    Move 1 of 1Slide the second knot along the standing line until the gap matches the loop you wantYou should now see: The first knot still at the eye, and a gap to the second knot about as long as the loop you want.

    Step 03

    Slide the second knot along the standing line until the gap between the two knots matches the loop size you want.

    You should now see

    The first knot still at or near the eye, and a gap to the second knot about as long as the finished loop you want.

    If it goes wrong

    Letting the first knot drift away from the eye while you size the gap, so the loop ends up bigger than planned. The first knot sits visibly clear of the eye.

    Fix: Push the first knot back down to the eye, then set the gap again before pulling anything tight.

    Why: Once the knots are pulled together the loop cannot be resized. Keeping the first knot at the eye makes the gap the one thing that sets the loop size.

  4. Hold the lure, pull the standing line so the knots slide together and jam; trimPulled tight, the first knot has slid up against the second, leaving the two knots jammed together above an open loop through the eye, with the tag trimmed short.
    Move 1 of 1Hold the lure, pull the standing line so the knots slide together and jam; trimYou should now see: The two knots butted hard together with no gap, an open loop at the eye, and a short trimmed tag.

    Step 04

    Hold the lure and pull the standing line so the two knots slide together and jam. In heavy leader, grip the lure with pliers and wear gloves for the pull. Trim the tag close.

    You should now see

    The two knots butted hard against each other with no gap, an open loop at the eye, and a short trimmed tag.

    If it goes wrong

    Stopping before the knots meet, leaving a gap between them. The knot is not set, and the loop can creep larger under load.

    Fix: Grip the lure with pliers and pull the standing line again until the knots touch. If they will not meet, cut the knot off and tie it again.

    Why: Stiff heavy leader resists closing. NetKnots advises pliers and gloves in heavy line to get enough pressure to set both knots against each other.

HTH · Reference layout

Homer Rhode Loop Knot — finished-state checks, on the shared reference layout

Homer Rhode Loop Knot — finished-state checks, on the shared reference layout
Hook the Horizon reference plate
Failure modes

When this family fails, it fails as these. The recovered end still outranks the name.

Fixed-loop family

A loop that stays the size you made, with a return that cannot cinch.

  • !Loop cinched around the hardware — action is dead
  • !Return path reversed, so it becomes a slip loop
  • !Fluoro in a lock that only behaves on mono
Fails when
  • !A gap left between the two knots, so the loop can creep larger under load
  • !Heavy leader set by hand without pliers, so the knots are not pulled firmly together
  • !Second knot tied with crossed turns, so it binds before the knots meet
Geometry

  • Too few wraps on heavy leader

    Loop walks and cinches

    Homer Rhode holds loop size with wraps, not hope · step 02

  • Loop collapsed while seating

    A failed Homer Rhode — not a tight loop

    Seat without shrinking the loop; a cinch is a noose · step 03

  • Loop size set after the wraps

    You cannot fix the swing after the barrel is on

    Size the loop first · step 01

If you saw this

  • Loop cinches closed

    Check

    • ?Loop holds under pull

    Then

    • →Retie
    • →Compare to Non-Slip Mono Loop

  • Finished check failed — Loop closes to the eye

    Check

    • ?Fixed loop preserved for lure action
    • ?Wraps ordered on the standing line
    • ?Loop does not close under load

    Then

    • →Retie. A closed Homer Rhode removes free lure swing.

  • Too few wraps on heavy leader

    Check

    • ?Loop walks and cinches
    • ?Inspect step 02

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.

  • Loop collapsed while seating

    Check

    • ?A failed Homer Rhode — not a tight loop
    • ?Inspect step 03

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.

  • Loop size set after the wraps

    Check

    • ?You cannot fix the swing after the barrel is on
    • ?Inspect step 01

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.
Same family

Same failure class, different geometry. Open the plates — Diagnose still starts from the symptom.

This failed — start Diagnose

Why this knot

What it earns its place with, what it costs, and what to reach for instead.

Best for
Loop connectionsHook to line
Not ideal for
  • Fine tippet dry-fly work
  • Maximum slim fixed eye
Common mistakes
  • Taking the tag back through the overhand from the wrong side
  • Crossing the two turns of the second knot, or wrapping the tag around itself
  • Letting the first knot drift away from the eye while setting the gap
  • Stopping the final pull before the two knots meet
Alternatives
  • Non-Slip Mono LoopIntermediate

    Fixed-size non-slip loop for free-swinging lures and flies

  • Rapala KnotIntermediate

    Loop knot popular for hardbaits so the lure can swing freely

  • King SlingIntermediate

    Tying a lure, hook or fly to braid or mono with an open loop, so the bait can move more naturally

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