The Snell Knot and Palomar Knot serve different purposes despite both being terminal connections. Understanding when each excels will help you land more fish.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Snell Knot | Palomar Knot |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ~90% | ~95% |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Easy |
| Time to tie | 20-30 seconds | 10-15 seconds |
| Connection point | Hook shank | Hook eye |
| Hook rotation control | Yes — forces point-first | No — hook hangs freely |
| Works with lures | No | Yes |
| Works with swivels/snaps | No | Yes |
| Best for | Bait fishing, circle hooks | Lures, general use |
| Line types | Mono and fluoro | All line types |
The Fundamental Difference
Palomar Knot: Eye Connection
The Palomar ties the line directly to the hook eye. The hook hangs from the eye and can swing freely in any direction. This is ideal for lures that need unrestricted movement.
Snell Knot: Shank Connection
The Snell wraps the line around the hook shank, with the line exiting along the shank rather than from the eye. This forces the hook to rotate in one direction — point-first — when tension is applied.
This difference in connection geometry is why each knot excels in completely different fishing situations.
Strength Comparison
In a straight pull test, the Palomar wins at approximately 95% vs 90% for the Snell. The Palomar’s doubled line distributes stress evenly through the eye, while the Snell relies on friction wraps around the shank.
But strength numbers do not tell the whole story.
Hookup Rate: Where the Snell Wins
When a fish takes a baited hook, the hookset force travels through the line and into the knot. With a Palomar, the force pulls on the eye — the hook can rotate in any direction, and the point may or may not penetrate effectively.
With a Snell, the force travels along the shank and rotates the hook point directly into the fish’s mouth. This consistent rotation dramatically increases hookup percentage with bait rigs.
In practice: Anglers switching from Palomar to Snell on bait rigs commonly report 20-30% more solid hookups. The knot is slightly weaker in lab tests but performs better in real fishing conditions.
Ease of Tying
Palomar Knot
- Double 6 inches of line
- Pass the loop through the hook eye
- Tie an overhand knot
- Pass the hook through the loop
- Moisten and tighten
Learning time: 2-3 practice ties. Almost foolproof.
Snell Knot
- Pass the line through the hook eye
- Form a loop alongside the hook shank
- Wrap the tag end around the shank and line 5-7 times
- Hold the wraps and pull the standing line to tighten
- Ensure wraps are neat and do not overlap
Learning time: 10-15 practice ties. Holding the wraps while tightening takes some finesse.
The Palomar is the easier knot by a significant margin. The Snell requires more practice but becomes reliable with repetition.
When to Use Each Knot
Use the Palomar Knot When:
- Tying lures — crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, soft plastics on jig heads
- Tying swivels and snaps — the Snell cannot tie to hardware
- General-purpose fishing — when you want one reliable knot for everything
- Using braided line — the Palomar grips braid well; the Snell can slip on braid
- Speed matters — retying quickly on the water
Use the Snell Knot When:
- Bait fishing with live or cut bait — worms, minnows, shrimp, cut bait
- Using circle hooks — the Snell’s rotation matches the circle hook’s design perfectly
- Bottom fishing rigs — dropper loops, fish-finder rigs, Carolina rigs
- Targeting catfish, carp, or walleye — species where bait presentation and solid hookups matter
- Using octopus or baitholder hooks — hooks with turned-up or turned-down eyes benefit from the Snell’s shank connection
The Circle Hook Factor
Circle hooks are designed to rotate and catch in the corner of the fish’s mouth as the fish swims away. A Snell Knot enhances this rotation because the line already pulls from the shank direction. Using a Palomar on a circle hook negates some of the hook’s rotational design.
If you fish circle hooks (required in many saltwater fisheries), the Snell Knot is not optional — it is the correct knot.
Can You Use Both?
Absolutely. Most experienced anglers carry both in their mental toolkit:
- Lure rod: Palomar Knot on everything — jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters
- Bait rod: Snell Knot on bait hooks — especially circle hooks and octopus hooks
There is no need to choose one exclusively. They serve different purposes and both are easy enough to learn.
The Bottom Line
Default to the Palomar for lures, hardware, and general fishing. It is stronger, faster, and works with all line types.
Switch to the Snell when bait fishing, using circle hooks, or anytime hook-rotation matters. The improved hookup rate outweighs the small strength difference.
The best anglers use both — the right knot for the right situation.