Huffnagle Knot
Quick Answer
To tie the Huffnagle Knot, tie a loose overhand knot in the heavy shock tippet, pass the class tippet through the loop, wrap the class tippet 6-8 times around the shock tippet, pass the class tippet tag back through the overhand knot loop, then close the overhand knot by pulling both heavy tippet ends. It is the most reliable connection for extreme diameter differences in tarpon and billfish fly fishing.
The Huffnagle Knot is the standard line-to-line connection for tarpon fly fishing and other big-game applications where light class tippet must be joined to a heavy monofilament shock tippet. The design works by wrapping the lighter line around the heavier, then locking those wraps in place using a closed overhand knot in the heavy material — a combination that maintains reliable strength even when the two lines differ by a factor of six in diameter or more.
The knot was developed for and named after Jack Huffnagle, a legendary Florida Keys fly fishing guide who needed a reliable connection for the extreme demands of tarpon on fly — a fish that can exceed 150 pounds and requires the angler to use 12-20lb class tippet for IGFA records, connected to 80-100lb shock tippet that can survive the tarpon’s rough mouth and gill plates.
How to Tie the Huffnagle Knot
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Take the heavy shock tippet and tie a loose overhand knot about 4-6 inches from the end. Keep the loop open — about the diameter of a quarter — so the light class tippet can pass through it easily.
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Pass the end of the light class tippet through the loop of the overhand knot in the shock tippet.
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Hold the overhand knot open with one hand while wrapping the class tippet tag end around the standing shock tippet 6-8 times. Work from the overhand knot loop outward, keeping wraps tight and evenly spaced.
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After the final wrap, pass the class tippet tag end back through the overhand knot loop in the shock tippet — entering from the same side it entered initially.
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Pull the class tippet tag end to draw the wraps snug against the loop.
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Wet the entire knot area with saliva. Close the overhand knot in the shock tippet by pulling both ends of the heavy tippet simultaneously. The overhand knot will close and lock the wraps in place.
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Seat the knot fully by pulling the standing class tippet and standing shock tippet in opposite directions. Trim both tag ends to 1/16 inch.
Complete Tarpon Fly Leader System
The Huffnagle Knot is one connection in a multi-part tarpon leader:
| Connection | Knot |
|---|---|
| Fly line to leader butt | Loop-to-loop or Nail Knot |
| Leader butt to class tippet | Blood Knot or loop-to-loop |
| Class tippet doubled loop | Bimini Twist |
| Class tippet to shock tippet | Huffnagle Knot |
| Shock tippet to fly | Non-Slip Loop Knot |
IGFA Fly Fishing Class Tippet Rules
In IGFA-legal fly fishing for world records:
- The class tippet must be at least 15 inches long (measured from fly line to shock tippet)
- Maximum class tippet strength varies by IGFA class (4, 6, 8, 12, 16, or 20lb)
- Shock tippet maximum length is 12 inches
- The Bimini Twist or Spider Hitch double is required at the reel-side end of the class tippet
Related Guides
- Best Knots for Tarpon — complete tarpon fly and conventional tackle system
- Best Knots for Fly Fishing — all fly fishing leader connections
- Bimini Twist — the class tippet doubling knot used with the Huffnagle