Who ties their own hook snells?

[Still Reelin']

I'm killing some time this Winter by trying to tie some of my own 2-hook worm harnesses. I've seen some web pages that show a couple different ways of tying the snells, but I'm having trouble mastering the techniques - maybe I just need more practice (and some manual dexterity). Does anybody have any "secret" techniques for doing this that you want to share?

[Zeek]

I'm no expert either but a couple tips would be:
1) Tie the bottom hook on first
2) Don't wrap too tight on the hook shank. Makes pulling the loop through real hard.
3) Wet the wrap area before pulling the loop tight. There is a lot of friction there and the line can really heat up.
4) My personal preference is not to use barbed shanks on the hooks. They could knick the line.

[Mattman]

Good tips.

My addition to those is practice. Take a hook and tie it up. Cut it off and do it again. You'll get better pretty quickly.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Chad]

Try reading this article and see if it helps.
http://www.rippn-lip.com/Arti/Crawler_Harness_Article.htm

[ET]

And here's another excellent article - very comprehensive with illustrations and even videos.

http://dns.advnet.net/mkg/

[Northernhawk]

Here's the secret....Buy a 4 dollar Du-bro snell knot tool, or something simular. Come with instructions, and makes it easy!