leftys loop knot
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Soft Bait Fishing
Forum Description: Anything to do with this latest and greatest way of catching our favourite species
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28880
Printed Date: 03 Jul 2026 at 8:18am
Topic: leftys loop knot
Posted By: worksux
Subject: leftys loop knot
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 10:23am
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This is the knot iv'e been using to connect the jig heads, but, I had a bust off during the week and it broke on the knot, retied a new jighead gave it a bit of a yank and that broke also, So thinking the blackmagic 20lb flouro was the problem changed to the 30lb flouro, a good yank on that and it broke also, Frigg this I thought, its the Bloedy knot. So now im not so confident with the Leftys loop knot....... Someone else might want to test this knot incase im just being to critical for no reason. Changed to a geenie clip and the old faithfull uni knot.
Any one else had the same problem ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 10:59am
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Nope, I like the lefty's. I even tie it onto worm hooks instead of the uni.
I use BM 20 and 30lb FC and the lefty's always held pretty well. Had one in 30lb hold so well that it pulled straight through the eye of the TT jig head. I reckon just go with what works for you though, my mate hates it and can't get it to hold so he goes the genie and uni too. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Milkey
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 11:11am
Ive had the same prob too Worksux. Id tie it,give it a yank and snap,then followed by *&%^%&^* 
Then some other times it holds no worries.I use 20lb BM fluoro.Its an easy knot to tie and does the job......so??Havnt really had a good look at whats going on. ------------- Proud Prowler Roller, bowler and a$$holer since Feb' 2008.......not anymore, Profish 440 yeah boy!!! |
Posted By: Carbine
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 12:47pm
| I use it all the time and its the cheap black magic thats the problem spend the $ and get some yo-zuri trace from gofish its the ducks nuts mate i had the same problem the crap frays when knots are pullet tight with the youzui if i get a snag i can lock the reel and hold the boat side on in a drift with 15lb try that with black magic wont happen |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 1:19pm
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Its the bloke tying the knot not the trace...if its to dry when pulled up it will snap,pulled up to fast and it will burn and snap,not tied with the right amount of turns it will snap....ive done this knot several times on the line tester and its a superb knot when tied correctly...practise it and then hook it onto something solid like a car tow ball..then do the drag up and pull like a school boy till something snaps,buy some rapala drag scales ($20) and then you will no what your knots break at ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 1:40pm
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Nothing wrong with BM FC but Yo Zuri is good too, personally I think Seaguar (for the light stuff) is the best I've used but honestly I use more mono than FC anyway.
Couldn't agree more with what Wayne said, its not the knot that's the problem most of the time it's the persons competence with the tying of it, what ever knot you use. There are plenty of knots that the majority of people use that I can't tie very well, like the spiders hitch, mine snap all the time, so I don't use it, I use what works for me and thats the bimini. Learn and try as many knots as you can and stick with whats best for you, you'll be a better fisherman for it. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: brown
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 2:10pm
| leftys a great knot...as of2fsh said....give plenty of 'wet' before tightening up |
Posted By: worksux
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 4:20pm
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Ok, thanks fellas. Its funny, because the lefty loop has always been my go to knot since starting sp fishing 2 years ago. Iv'e doubled checked im tieing the knot correctly, I always use copious amount of spit and always check for strength, so im starting to think that maybe BM flouro is the problem, or, could it be the sharp jerk doing the damage???
Is there any theories why the geenie clip is undesirable for sp fishing?
One thing about the geenie clip, its easy enough to change jigheads ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 4:41pm
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The genie clip is all good a lot of the time. I use them on occasions but some hooks and jig heads dont move freely on them so well, but if they do I'll use em. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: LEVCAT
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2008 at 10:24pm
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i've found that flurocarbon is also way harder to tie than nylon...
for my knots i just go with the good ole' trusty uni knot tied up to my finger tips.. hasn't let me down so far. for my trace to doubled braid i use either an improved albright knot with a small touch of superglue for extra strength, or a back to back uni which is also successful for me.. before i got my 4lb braid set up i used to use the spiders hitch every time but when i went to tie it on the 4lb i'd pull it with my hands and it would snap easy as.. now i use the blimini twist, and haven't had a breaking yet. it's not the knot it's the knot tier, like wayne said.. once you have tied the knot compare it with a picture of what it should look like and if anything looks wrong re-tie it because it will not be as effective. |
Posted By: plastic
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 8:58am
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I have yet to break any knot and found the lefty so easy to tie but the other day I saw 'and I cant remember where yet' a different version of the lefties loop. It may have been on this website as was looking at knots on here. Sometimes I leave the knots on for ages to see how long they last and the jig head gets so munched up with teeth marks I end up redoing the knot to replace the jighead so I have found the lefties so reliable I cant see why your haveing trouble. Maybe a bad batch of trace. I am using Stren 25lb flourocarbon ------------- Why is the man who invests your money called a "Broker" |
Posted By: Jack Kingfisherman
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 9:14am
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Ye thats exactly what keeps happening to me, but it doesn't seem to happen if you wet it first. ------------- FISH,SLEEP,EAT,FISH,SLEEP,EAT,FISH,SLEEP,EAT,FISH,SLEEP,EAT. |
Posted By: DIY!
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 9:28am
| Hi guys at the risk of sounding stupid what is lefty's, is that the little loop at the end by the jig head.. you do a granny knot then 5 twists then back through the eye? |
Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 9:33am
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Back through the eye of the granny knot yea thats it.
Edit, although I do 6 turns but don't think it makes to much of a diff. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Olfart
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 9:36am
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Have a look at the following link: http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/lkknots/index1.html Should explain all... Cheers  ------------- Semper in excreta sumus, solum profundum variat.... |
Posted By: Uncle
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 9:43am
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My choice is still the trusty old uni-knot.
IMHO, it's easier & quicker to tie, is less bulky & can be tied "loose" up to the point of tightening, thus avoiding the burning or stressing that happens with some other knots.
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Posted By: piwikiwi
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 2:31pm
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I use the perfection loop for the loop at the hook end. Seems real strong.
Should be able to google it.
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Posted By: roddholder
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 5:11pm
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i never wet my fluro when tying the knots. its better to "tease" the loops back up the line and gently tighten them. i use 4lb flouro when trout jigging and dont have a problem with the knots. just be more careful when tying the not and all will be fine. when using the leftys i go back thru the "y" loop and not throu the granny loop. this may be the diference. ------------- she was only a fishermans daughter, but she reeled at the sight of my rod!. |
Posted By: Pole Dancer
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 7:14pm
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The Lefty's Loop, correctly tied, will test out at about 98% of your breaking strain. From the sounds of your results you are coming back through the loop from the wrong side, because that will cause it to test at about 25%.
Many people think this is a new knot because of the promotion it has had in Softbait fishing. The reality is it's a Lefty Kreh knot that has been around for a long, long time and been used bu SWF anglers throughout... tie it right it's bullet proof or damn near.
Don't vary it from the original. google search it, do it exactly right, every time through the same way... that's the key... it will not let you down...
Many hundred Kingfish, snapper and all manner of other species later I have no cause to change to another fly/soft-bait connection. ------------- http://www.clarkreid.co.nz" rel="nofollow - www.clarkreid.co.nz FFF Certified Casting Instructor / Umpqua Designer Tier 
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Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 7:29pm
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Would you agree with the lots of lube on the knot before pulling up tight Clark ??? made a big difference on the line tester
------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: Boulder
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2008 at 11:08pm
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It was at a SWF weekend on the coromandell that I first learnt to tie the lefty,s loop as taught by Peter morse and Clark. Its all I have used for sp and flys since and the knot has never let me down. ------------- http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">  http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">www.boulderguiding.co.nz |
Posted By: Pole Dancer
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2008 at 12:17pm
All knots need lubrication really . Rodholder is not that far off the mark, Fluoro does handle friction better than mono, but I still wet all knots. One thing I would say ios that the knot Rodholder is using is not a Lefty's Loop. If he goes through the Y then he has invented a varient. Heat and friction in knots not properly tightened is the main cause of knot failure. Friction pulling them up can be another.
On my Saltfly clinics I demonstrate breaking a piece of 100 lb nylon using nothing other than a piece of tissue paper to rub it with when it's held under tension. The heat alone pops it in two. I personally moisten all knots. I might try and put this on video and post it if I can. ------------- http://www.clarkreid.co.nz" rel="nofollow - www.clarkreid.co.nz FFF Certified Casting Instructor / Umpqua Designer Tier
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of2fsh wrote:Posted By: Monty
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2008 at 5:31pm
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When I use this knot, I just go back out through the overhand knot following the tag end that came in after coming from the eye of the hook/jighead.
I am a genie clip man mainly & have no problems.
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Posted By: Shankly
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 12:09am
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Hey guys,
I have had big problems since I started using braid last December. I first started with the Deckies knot from braid to mono, which broke first time out, then I tried fishing straight through with braid to the hook tying a uni-knot, every time I stike on a bite it snaps. I've now resorted back to 8lb mono fished straight through with no problem, but obviously not the feel and excitement of braid.
Is it possible to fish straight through (no leader) with braid ?
Which knot do I need for this ?
Or should I be tying mono as a trace ? With which knot.
I love my lightweight Katana set up and don't want to go back to a winch !
Thanks for you help,
SB
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Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 1:22am
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There is so many combonations for which knots to go with Shankly, I personally go bimini for the braid double, yuctan for the braid to leader and then leftys for the hook or jig head. But there's plenty more to choose from if that doesn't suit. Do a search back through the SP forum, theres a lot on this subject that might help, some usefull diagrams and links too. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: phantomdeviant
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 6:19am
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Back to back uni for braid to fluoro/mono hasn't let me down yet. and its easy. Others to choose from though ------------- Skirt Pulla |
Posted By: Pole Dancer
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 8:33am
The Yuctan tied with a bimini tied correctly should test at 100% andf the Lefty's right up around 98% ... obviously the eye on the point of the loop tests at about 97%
 .My advice over the broken knots, and I don't mean to be patronising, is to go back and really studdy how they are tied and work on tying them better. They will only fail you in the way they are if incorrectly tied... this applies to the other knots suggested as well of course. The problem isn't the actual knots, or the materials, it's the tying of them... ------------- http://www.clarkreid.co.nz" rel="nofollow - www.clarkreid.co.nz FFF Certified Casting Instructor / Umpqua Designer Tier
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Posted By: Olfart
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 8:58am
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Clark: I've been using a triple Surgeons knot to make the double shock lead in the braid - mainly because I am too ham-fisted! Have tried to tie a Spider hitch to do the same job, but somehow I always end up with a mess... The Surgeons knot has not let me down so far. I use a Yucatan knot to join the fluoro leader to the braid, and for the loop, I have been using the Surgeons knot again, but this does mean I have to pass the hook or the jighead through the knot to make it work. Have been studying the Lefty's loop knot and might start to use this instead for the loop . Cheers ------------- Semper in excreta sumus, solum profundum variat.... |
Posted By: roddholder
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 10:54am
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bang on clark, i noticed when i used to troll for trout with lures that the flouro was breaking off where it entered the eye of the lure. it simply wont stand the friction that nylon will. i tried making the hole smoother and drilled out to larger size etc. went back to nylon.....no more problems. i check my flouro after EVERY fish now. its amazing how often you will find a tiny nick or flaw that would cause a breakage on the next fish. i loose a lot less gear now, funny that!. ------------- she was only a fishermans daughter, but she reeled at the sight of my rod!. |
Posted By: $$$VOTE THE GIB CHEERS$$$
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 11:08am
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Hi everyone i reccomed to use rainbow braid for lives its real good and every 100 meters it goes out it changes colour so when u let it run u can see how far its out CHEERS EVERYONE
------------- A good friend will come and bail you out of jail a true friend will be sitting next to you saying damm!!! we ****ed up! |
Posted By: $$$VOTE THE GIB CHEERS$$$
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 11:09am
wat equipment do u need????
------------- A good friend will come and bail you out of jail a true friend will be sitting next to you saying damm!!! we ****ed up! |
Posted By: Pole Dancer
Date Posted: 02 May 2008 at 11:56pm
The Triple Surgeons (TS) is a superb knot for it's strength to stability. It is most probably the handiest line joining and loop making knot that can be done in a real hurry onboard a boat... not nesacarily to replace the Lefty's for fly or jig connection because that is just as fast, but for line joining and also double making...
The bimini as most everyone knows it is a thing to be done land bound by most anglers requiring two hands and usually one toe and one knee. However, a good friend of mine, Peter Morse from Australia evolved a method of tying a small bimini using only your hands and teeth. This proved a bit of an obstacle for me as I wear a partial denture, but time and experience now means I know exactly what two real teeth will hold the braid to tie of what Peter calls the "Guides Bimini"... it's a great thing to learn. We use it in many a[pplications in Saltwaterfly and it was natural to bring it with me as I have the occasional dabble with a softbait or two...
The TS will serve you well, very well and there is probably few reasons to part from it. But the Guide's Bimini is a just a great tool to have in your arnsenal and if nothing else, like the Yucatan... a fun thing to tie. ------------- http://www.clarkreid.co.nz" rel="nofollow - www.clarkreid.co.nz FFF Certified Casting Instructor / Umpqua Designer Tier
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Posted By: Pole Dancer
Date Posted: 03 May 2008 at 12:10am
Rodholder... I'm probably to some degree on the first point, just arguing semantics, because I agree, essentially, totally with you. But I would say it is wear on fluoro not friction that causes the issue. If it were friction,... you;d be wetting your knots
 .One of the things that lead me to change to 100% fluoro in trout fishing, whether it be lake fishing or on a back country stream chucking dry flies at dumb rainbows... was it's abrasion resistance.
Some have argued this with me saying after a fish drags fluoro over a rock it feels very abraded and they are, of course, correct... it does. You have also landed the fish and have the photos.... You tie a new leader because you can tell this one is stuffed. Had you been using the mono in the same circumstance you would have, instead of leader feeling somewhat abraded, a cleanly broken leader that snapped on contact with the first obstacle and no photos but a good story of yet another monster that got away.
I believe there is a lot of marketing hype in the "invisibility factor" of fluoro, although I have no doubt it is less visible than mono. I don't believe the blanket statement that it doesn;t knot well, I accept totally that knots completely differently to mono.
I fish, as I am certain you do Rodholder, with the thought that the very next fish to take my fly, or that i might present a fly to, may just be the fish of the lifetime. This leaves no room for "She'll be right" It means, to me, that if I can tie a 98% knot instead of a 87% knot then I should. It means if one leader material gives me a 2% advantage over another I should take it... when else will I get to do battle with this fish?
One of my favourite quotes if from Sean Connery in the movie the Untouchables... "Trust a wop to bring a knife to a gunfight"... we all laugh at this, but when many go fishing they do exactly that. They fish not with the %age advantages but with the "cheap" line, the "look at the deal I got on these flies" and the "I can only tie this knot", knot...
When you gird your loins to take on that creature you've spent a lifetime dreaming about and pursuing... you better be ready.... and it might just happen on this drop???
I'm probably preaching to the converted here... but I felt like saying it anyway!
------------- http://www.clarkreid.co.nz" rel="nofollow - www.clarkreid.co.nz FFF Certified Casting Instructor / Umpqua Designer Tier
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Posted By: Olfart
Date Posted: 03 May 2008 at 6:38am
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Thanks for the advice, Clark. Unfortunately, the Guides Bimini may not be for me... as I wear full dentures  Guess I will need to stick with the TS, Yucatan and TS (or Lefty's Loop) for my rigs. The only failures I have been experiencing is bust offs just below the Yucatan when I have snagged my terminal tackle on a "rock fish". I am using 6lb braid and 8lb leader so am thinking of upping the leader to something a little stronger - 15lb maybe...???? ------------- Semper in excreta sumus, solum profundum variat.... |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 03 May 2008 at 8:48am
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Unfortunately I'm a 100% she'll be righter.... |
That's probably some of the best advice I've heard Clark and I agree 100%, after all most 'the one that got away' stories are about massive fish busting us off - simply because of the size of the fish and NEVER due to crap technique or dodgy knots or other totally preventable gear failure.
Posted By: roddholder
Date Posted: 03 May 2008 at 11:28pm
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one of the big differences is nylon "slips" and flouro dosent. try a fly with 6lb mono and a clinch knot with 3 turns. it will slip every time, weather you wet it or not. tie the same knot with flouro and dont wet it, and it wont slip. repeat with an improved clinch knot and the nylon wont slip but the flouro will break off at about half the strain of the nylon. when i tie my traces for trout jigging i use a tripple overhand knot and dont get knot failure. strong and wont slip. ------------- she was only a fishermans daughter, but she reeled at the sight of my rod!. |
Posted By: of2fsh
Date Posted: 04 May 2008 at 8:49am
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every knot you tie must be wet with spit so it pulls up tight...if you dont it will not be as good..this i can prove,ive got the use of a I.G.F.A. line testing machine which has the capabillity to slowly tension the line and keep going till some part of the knot or line breaks.If "nylon slips" the knot is not done correctly.Some if not all knots will tighten up a bit when tested due to the machine applying more pressure.Fluoro requires alot of lube and in the case of heavy fluoro you must use your fingers to help the knot tighten up. If you make shure every knot is well lubed,pulled up evenly and slowly and looks like it should when its finished you will have tied the knot to meet your expectations of the knots strength.The knot that i had alot of trouble with was the back to back uni.This was the hardest knot to tie well.I thought i was tying it well untill i put it on the tester,now i completly saturate the thing with spit before pulling tight.Havent had a failure since.tie every knot as if your about to catch a 20pder,if it doesnt look right do it again.If the fluoro leader gets scuffed or nicked above your hook from a fish or the rocks retie it before another cast.... ------------- 2009 and 2010 BERKLEY SOFTBAIT COMP CHAMPS,Runner up 2013 ( solo),winner 2013/14 longest kingfish nz fishing competition |
Posted By: phantomdeviant
Date Posted: 06 May 2008 at 6:06am
Great advice here  ------------- Skirt Pulla |