I’m wondering what is the best way to tie your leader to a surface lure such as a Spook, Skitterwalk or any other floating minnow-shaped lure where you want the best “walk the dog” action. Is it best to tie a tight knot to the eye of the lure or make a loose connection with a loop at the end of the leader or a split ring or a snap of some kind?

Also, how about a subsurface swimming lure? What is the best connection to produce the best lure action? Thank you for any advice on this.

I only tie 2 terminal knots these days and they've served me well.  Mono, co-poly, and floro all get the san diego jam knot.  Direct braid gets a palomar with an extra line loop through the eye.

 

I use a handful of different snaps for moving baits, but am partial to the decoy egg snaps.  So far haven't had one come unbuttoned.  I snap to a split ring if I'm lazy or remove the ring if I'm patient.

 

edit: when using tieable steel leader, I use a bowline because the bends/turns seem less prone to cracking the strands and I'm proficient tying it.

 

scott

   Unless a lure already has a snap or split ring (like a spoon) to accentuate the action, I prefer a loop knot.

   Although my old eyes and lack of patience induce me to cuss this knot, called the "non-slip loop knot", I admit it's about the best I've seen. Here are two videos of it:

 

and

 

 

I only use one terminal knot, and that's a trilene knot.

 

I do use snaps on my hard plastics. I still tie to the snap with a trilene.

I use 25 lb test Tactical Anglers clips. I bought what's probably a lifetime supply. I admit I do it to make lure changes easy and quick in a kayak. But it has the effect you're seeking.

I put oval or teardrop split rings on all my treble lures and use the same knot I use for everything else.

 

I use a Rapala Loop Knot for floating jerk baits (Smithwick Rogue; Cordell Redfin, etc.) It's easy to tie and I've never had it fail. 

 

I tie direct for every other topwater bait I use.

1 hour ago, galyonj said:

I only use one terminal knot, and that's a trilene knot.

 

I do use snaps on my hard plastics. I still tie to the snap with a trilene.

^ This.

Knots are part of fishing and learning the proper knot for the presentation is worthwhile. 

The Rapala loop knot has been around a long time works good. The older Perfection loop knot we called a Mexican knot because long range off shore anglers used it for decades for live bait. I use this knot not for tuna and marlin. 

The problem loop knots have is line wear weakening the line at the lure eye constantly moving.

Bass lures I either tie direct no loop or use Owner Hyper Weld size 2 snap is compact, light weight, strong that doesn’t affect lure most top water lure action except Rapala original balsa minnows.

Tom

For walking baits and most topwaters, I use a snap. The knot, IMO, is personal preference. On those that come with split rings, I remove them and either add an oval split ring, or use a snap. the Same goes for cranks. I have used loop knots in the past, but as mentioned, line wear at the knot turned me off using one. I have used loop knots in the past, but as mentioned, line wear at the knot turned me off using one.

Thank you very much for helpful advice. I think I'll be tying a loop knot when fishing in daylight and when I don't expect to change lures except maybe once. I often fish at dawn and just before when the light is poor, plus my eyesight is not good, so for those times I'll probably use a clip. I think everyone recommended not tying tight to the lure eye which reduces to lure's action. I thought that was true but it was good to have this substantiated. Thanks again.

Duolock snap with a palomar knot here for walking baits.  Some of my walking baits use a split ring and some don't so even tying direct to some would still give the same action the snap gives.

if i am using straight braid i will tie a tight knot but if i am using mono i use a non slip loop knot

 

On 7/9/2021 at 5:02 PM, the reel ess said:

I use 25 lb test Tactical Anglers clips. I bought what's probably a lifetime supply. I admit I do it to make lure changes easy and quick in a kayak. But it has the effect you're seeking.

 

Este

Lately, I've only been using the palomar knot, it's simple and strong no matter which line you're running.  I like to run snaps for everything but soft plastics and jigs, those snaps too are tied on with a palomar.  

SDJ knot to a Decoy egg snap