More often than not, I find that most anglers who cast crankbaits just tie the fishing lure straight to the line. No matter the knot, the problem is it doesn’t allow the crankbait to have that erratic action. Especially when it comes to jerkbaits and crankbaits like it. You want the lure to get going a bit sideways, and a Rapala Knot (also called a Rapala Loop Knot), is perfect for this.
Rapala Loop Knot Diagram
The key to the Rapala knot is being able to tie it efficiently. Sure, it’s easy when you’re staring at a knot diagram…but can you do it in a pinch on the water? So make sure you practice at least a few times so you know how to do it properly (and fast).
If you’re planning to use a leader, have you considered making your own? It’s easy to create loops when you’re making leaders to avoid having to tie Rapala knots on the fly. Some off the water time and can save a lot on the water. They all add up!
This isn’t really a difficult fishing knot to begin with. It’s just a different variation of many similar knots. But here it is, broken down, step-by-step for your tying pleasure.
Step One – Start by creating the initial knot. Then loop it through the crankbait and back through the knot.
Step Two – Wrap the loop 2 times.
Step Three – Loop the fishing line back through the initial knot.
Step Four – Tighten and trim the excess line.
I’ve found that you can literally use this knot with any slash or jerkbait on the market really. But if you take your casting seriously, you’ll want to have some Rapala X-Raps in the tackle bag.
I’m a big fan of the Model 10. The 8’s and below are a bit small, in my opinion. I like a bit profile bait when casting, and the Model 10 is perfect for this. You can retrieve steadily, or jerk it occasionally on the way back to the boat. This stop and go action drives fish crazy, and I use it for my walleye tournaments often when casting is involved. Lots of good colors too.
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So there you have it! A simple and easy way on how to tie a Rapala knot. I find I also use this knot for making spinner leaders when fishing crawler rigs in the summertime for walleyes. It’s an effective, all-around fishing knot for whenever you need a knot off your swivel. I’m sure you’ll find more ways to use it as well, and not just for casting cranks.
Tight Lines
