Tying on softies

[jimi]

Hi Guys, after doing a lot of hardbody fishing over the last few months I'm returning to softies and was wondering what knot you guys use to tie them on with.

With hardbodies, the choice is easy, use a loopknot. However with softies having less inbuilt action, is a loopknot necessary? I've always thought they looked more visible than a smaller knot like a uni-knot. Is a uni-knot ok for tying on softies, or is the freedom of movement afforded by a loopknot still the way to go.

What do you use?

James.

[pw-bream]

I've messed around with this a bit and at one point I was using a small loop to tie on small jig heads as I thought it let the tails work at a slightly lower retrieve speed.
I've pretty much given that up as the extra strand of leader and bulk of a loop seems more likely to put fish off with the smaller tails and heads.
Now I'm just using my usual improved blood knot to tie the leader to the jig head, a uni knot would be a good alternative.

[Mim]

HI Jimi,

JP and I have recently changed from an improved bloodknot to a loop knot. We used to get busted off quite a bit with the blood and dont get busted off as much with the loop. I also think that it alows a little bit extra movement to the softie as it is freer. We have both been catching more on softies since we changed the knot, but that may be more to do with skill acquisition than the knot.

Hope that helps

Mim

I go with the 4 or 5 turn uni, or blood knot!
Don't seem to have problems. I am currently experimenting with clips aswell.



Dave

[Richo]

Jimi,

I use the same knot as I do for Hard Bodies, Lefties Loop I think it is called as shown to me by Paul Vogel in Albany, I have never looked back since.

I use the same knot for softies as leaving the tinyest loop gives it that slightly more free action. Im just a sheep mate, its the way Kurt showed me he did it, and and that was good enough for me.

cheers

[jimi]

Thanks everyone for you comments. I think I will stick with a small loop knot for now.

Richo, if kurt (our SP guru) does it that's good enough for me. I'm happy to be a sheep !!!

James.