Uni Snell Knot

Tying procedure — Uni Snell Knot

1. Step 01 / 4

   Push the line through the hook eye and run it down along the shank. Form a loop below the hook with the tag so the loop lies against the shank and the line together.

   You should now see: The line runs through the eye and down the shank, with an open loop of tag lying against the shank and plenty of tag left over.

   If it goes wrong: Forming the loop around the line only, away from the shank. The turns then catch the line alone and it becomes a plain uni knot, not a snell.

   Fix: Lay the loop back against the shank so the shank sits inside it before you start the turns.

   Why: A snell grips the shank so the pull runs straight along it toward the point. The loop has to include the shank for that to happen.

   1Tag along the shank

   2Standing line

   Step 1 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Pass the tag through the eye and lay it back along the shank toward the bend

   Hold: Left hand holds the hook by the bend

   Move: Right hand feeds the tag through the eye and lays it flat along the shank

   You should now see: The line coming through the eye and lying flat along the shank, with the tag reaching well past the bend of the hook.

2. Step 02 / 4

   Pass the tag around the hook shank and the line lying on it, and through the loop, 4 to 6 times. Keep each turn tight against the last.

   You should now see: Four to six turns lying side by side, each one around both the shank and the line on it.

   If it goes wrong: A turn that catches only the line and not the shank, or turns spreading apart. The finished snell then slides along the shank instead of holding.

   Fix: Unwind the turns and wrap again, checking that the shank is inside every turn and each turn sits against the last.

   Why: Every turn has to enclose the shank. The turns are what clamp the line to the hook once the knot is closed.

   1Loop beside the shank

   Step 2 of 4 · move 1 of 2

   Bring the tag back toward the eye, making a loop beside the shank

   Hold: Left thumb pins the line flat against the shank

   Move: Right hand brings the tag back up and pinches the crossing just below the eye

3. 1Wraps toward the bend

   2The loop

   Step 2 of 4 · move 2 of 2

   Wrap the tag round the shank and the line, through the loop, six times

   Hold: Left hand keeps the loop open beside the shank

   Move: Right hand takes the tag round the shank and line and through the loop, working toward the bend

   You should now see: A row of wraps lying side by side down the shank from just below the eye, each around both the shank and the line, with the loop still open.

4. Step 03 / 4

   Wet the turns and work the coils along the shank up to the eye, then pull the tag and the standing line to tighten.

   You should now see: A tight barrel of turns seated right behind the eye, with the standing line coming straight off the eye.

   If it goes wrong: Tightening the turns before sliding them up. The barrel locks partway along the shank and the hook pulls at an angle.

   Fix: If the barrel has locked short of the eye, cut it off and tie again, sliding the coils up to the eye before the final pull.

   Why: Wetting lets the coils slide up the shank without heating the line. Seated at the eye, the pull runs along the shank.

   1Loop closed

   Step 3 of 4 · move 1 of 2

   Wet the wraps and pull the tag to close the loop

   Hold: Left fingers hold the coils so they close side by side

   Move: Right hand pulls the tag end until the loop has closed

5. 1Coils against the eye

   Step 3 of 4 · move 2 of 2

   Pull the standing line to work the coils up against the eye

   Hold: Left hand holds the hook, a finger steadying the coils

   Move: Right hand pulls the standing line firmly

   You should now see: A tight, even column of coils packed side by side right up to the eye, with the standing line leaving the eye in line with the shank.

6. Step 04 / 4

   Check that the turns sit side by side with none crossing, then trim the tag close to the barrel.

   You should now see: Parallel turns on the shank, none riding over another, and a short tag that does not catch on a finger.

   If it goes wrong: Missing a crossed turn and trimming anyway. A crossed turn does not bed down and becomes the place where the snell slips or breaks.

   Fix: Look along the barrel before you cut. If a turn has crossed, cut the knot off and tie a new one rather than trying to work it straight.

   Step 4 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Give the standing line a firm test pull, then trim the tag close

   Hold: Left hand holds the hook

   Move: Right hand pulls the standing line hard, then trims the tag

   You should now see: Parallel coils against the eye that did not move under the test pull, the standing line running straight off the shank, and a short tag stub.