Right now I tie everything with an improved clinch knot.  But I've heard a few of you guys mention using other knots for walk-the-dog type baits.  What knots do you use for your topwater lures and do you get better action out of the bait because of it?

Me personally, everything gets the shaw Grigsby knot. I fish alot of top water and don't notice any issues with action using it over any other knot.

Me personally, everything gets the shaw Grigsby knot. I fish alot of top water and don't notice any issues with action using it over any other knot.

Just checked a YouTube video with Shaw talking about it.  Interesting.  I may give it a try.

Just checked a YouTube video with Shaw talking about it.  Interesting.  I may give it a try.

It can be a pain to tie if you don't give it plenty of tag, but it works. Never had it break yet. My 40 pound PP slick breaks before the knot.

It can be a pain to tie if you don't give it plenty of tag, but it works. Never had it break yet. My 40 pound PP slick breaks before the knot.

Thanks for the tip.

I like to tie some kind of loop knot for poppers and spooks.  A king sling?  I'm uncertain about the name of it.  I think that the loop adds to the walking action I want out of these baits.  On other top waters, like a wake bait or a buzz bait, I will tie a know tight to the bait, generally a palomar knot.

Loop knots can work well in some instances when using top water baits. 

Look at simply running a dual lock snap too, great for walking lures.

 

IMHO...

Allways use a loop knot for walking on top or jerk bait's.

Any type of lure that you want an erractict action for.

 

 

Mike

You should use a knot that clinches tight against the lure line tie eye with walking surface lures because where the knot is on the eye affects how the lure works; higher up the knot on the eye the more side to side action the spook/Sammy lure will have. With split rings, snaps and loop knots you loose action and control of walking lures. This is the reason you also want to use line that floats and may want to considered adding fly line dressing to the last 3 feet of line to help it stay floating and reduce surface tension to further enhance lure action.

Tom

You should use a knot that clinches tight against the lure line tie eye with walking surface lures because where the knot is on the eye affects how the lure works; higher up the knot on the eye the more side to side action the spook/Sammy lure will have. With split rings, snaps and loop knots you loose action and control of walking lures. This is the reason you also want to use line that floats and may want to considered adding fly line dressing to the last 3 feet of line to help it stay floating and reduce surface tension to further enhance lure action.

Tom

Shaw Grigsby is well known for tieing the King Sling.   Dave Mercer uses a loop knot for his frog fishing.  Hank Parker is also a fan of the King Sling for baits like the Zara Spook.  The Rapala brothers recommend using the Rapala knot, another version of the loop knot to give their baits a more natural action.  All of the articles I read about the loop knot and in my own experience, when you need a little more action for a bait is when the loop knot works best.  

 

I looked but did not find any information on the loop knot killing action of the bait. Do you have a source?

 

Guess a guy has to use what works for him.

Shaw Grigsby is well known for tieing the King Sling.   Dave Mercer uses a loop knot for his frog fishing.  Hank Parker is also a fan of the King Sling for baits like the Zara Spook.  The Rapala brothers recommend using the Rapala knot, another version of the loop knot to give their baits a more natural action.  All of the articles I read about the loop knot and in my own experience, when you need a little more action for a bait is when the loop knot works best.  

 

I looked but did not find any information on the loop knot killing action of the bait. Do you have a source?

 

Guess a guy has to use what works for him.

I have to agree with you. I've never experienced a decrease in action or a loss of control with loop knots and topwater baits. I really like loop knots with small poppers. I like to fish them with a combination of pops and a tight walk the dog action, a loop knot really helps the bait come alive.