Non-Slip Loop Knot

The Non-Slip Loop Knot, popularized by legendary fly caster Lefty Kreh, is the premier knot for anglers who want to give their lures and flies unrestricted movement. Unlike a snug knot tied directly to the hook eye, the Non-Slip Loop creates a fixed-size open loop that allows the lure to swing, dart, and wobble naturally through the water. This added freedom of action is especially critical for topwater lures, streamers, jigs, and any presentation where lifelike movement triggers strikes. The knot is strong, reliable, and once you learn it, fast to tie.

How to Tie the Non-Slip Loop Knot

1. Tie a simple overhand knot in the standing line about ten inches from the tag end. Do not tighten it. Pass the tag end through the hook eye.
2. Bring the tag end back and pass it through the overhand knot, entering from the same side it originally exited. This is critical for the knot to form correctly.
3. Wrap the tag end around the standing line. For lighter lines under 10-pound test, make five wraps. For 10 to 20-pound test, use four wraps. For lines over 20-pound test, use three wraps.
4. Pass the tag end back through the overhand knot, again entering from the same side. The tag end should exit the overhand knot on the same side as it entered in step two.
5. Moisten the knot thoroughly with saliva. Pull the tag end to snug the wraps together, then pull the standing line to slide the knot toward the hook eye to your desired loop size.
6. Make a final firm pull on both the standing line and the tag end to lock the knot in place. Trim the tag end close.

When to Use the Non-Slip Loop Knot

• Topwater lures: Poppers, walk-the-dog baits, and buzzbaits perform dramatically better with an open loop that lets them move freely on the surface.
• Jig fishing: Jigs paired with a loop knot exhibit a more natural falling and swimming action that produces more bites in both fresh and saltwater.
• Fly fishing streamers: Large streamers and baitfish patterns tied on a loop have much more lifelike darting action during retrieves.
• Crankbaits and jerkbaits: Hard-bodied lures achieve their designed action more effectively when they are not pinched tight against a snug knot.
• Saltwater fishing: Any situation where natural lure presentation in current or tidal flow is important.

Pro Tips

• The number of wraps matters for knot strength. Use fewer wraps on heavier line and more wraps on lighter line. Five wraps on light line and three on heavy line is the standard guideline.
• Set the loop size before the final tightening. Once the Non-Slip Loop is cinched down, the loop will not slide or adjust, so get it right before that last pull.
• This knot does not work well with braided line because braid is too slippery for the wraps to grip. Stick to monofilament and fluorocarbon.
• After a hard fight with a big fish, check the knot carefully. While the Non-Slip Loop is strong, repeated shock loads can begin to weaken the wraps, and retying only takes a minute.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Gives lures and flies maximum freedom of movement for lifelike action
• Fixed loop size that does not slip or close down during use
• Strong and reliable when tied correctly with the proper number of wraps
• Relatively easy to tie once you understand the overhand knot entry direction
• Excellent knot for both freshwater and saltwater applications

Cons:

• Not suitable for braided lines, which slip through the wraps
• Requires the correct number of wraps for each line weight to achieve full strength
• Slightly more complex to tie than a standard clinch or Palomar knot
• The open loop can collect debris or weeds in dirty water conditions
• Loop size must be set before final tightening and cannot be adjusted afterward