Non-Slip Loop Knot — Maximum Action for Lures
April 26, 2026
What Is the Non-Slip Loop Knot?
The non-slip loop knot — sometimes called the Lefty Kreh loop after Lefty Kreh, who popularized it for fly fishing — is a fixed-loop knot that connects line to a lure without choking off the lure’s action. The loop stays open at a small fixed size, giving the lure free swing on the line.
For Indiana bass anglers using jerkbaits, jigs, or topwater walking baits — and for fly anglers tossing streamers — this knot can be the difference between catching fish and watching your lure drag through the water without action.
How to Tie a Non-Slip Loop Knot
- Tie a loose overhand knot in the standing line, leaving about 6 inches of tag end. Don’t tighten yet.
- Pass the tag end through the hook eye (or lure split ring).
- Pass the tag end back through the overhand loop, on the same side it exited.
- Wrap the tag end around the standing line 5 to 7 times, working away from the overhand loop.
- Pass the tag end back through the overhand loop, exiting on the same side as the standing line.
- Wet the knot.
- Pull the tag end first to tighten the wraps.
- Pull the standing line and the lure simultaneously to seat the knot. The overhand loop closes down to form the non-slip loop.
- Trim the tag to 1/8 inch.
The finished knot has a small fixed loop at the front and the wrapped section behind it. The lure swings freely within the loop.
When to Use a Non-Slip Loop
- Jerkbaits — Rapala Husky Jerk, Smithwick Rogue, Lucky Craft Pointer (action critical)
- Topwater walking baits — Zara Spook, Heddon Lucky 13, Sammy
- Small jigs — finesse jigs, hair jigs, marabou jigs (free fall preserved)
- Streamer flies — fly fishing for bass, trout, steelhead
- Soft jerkbaits — Senkos, Flukes when fished as moving baits
When to Skip It
- Crankbaits with split rings — the split ring already provides loop-knot action; tie clinch or Palomar
- Spinnerbaits — fixed orientation is fine, no loop needed
- Live bait rigs — line snags in the loop
- Heavy cover applications — loop can hang on grass
Indiana Applications
- Pre-spawn jerkbait fishing — Brookville Reservoir, Patoka Lake, Monroe Lake — March through April when bass key on shad
- Topwater bass — walking spook on Geist Reservoir or Eagle Creek at dawn
- Smallmouth on the Wabash and White rivers — small jigs need free fall
- Steelhead nymphing — tippet to streamer fly
- Crappie jigs in spring when slow-falling jigs outperform on a tight line
Tying Tip
The “five to seven wraps then back through the same side of the loop” sequence feels awkward the first dozen times. Practice with thick cord at home until your hands learn the pattern. The “non-slip” in the name only applies if the wraps are tight and oriented correctly — sloppy ties will slip and lose the loop.
The Bottom Line
The non-slip loop is a niche knot for a specific need — preserving lure action. For 80% of Indiana fishing (crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs on bottom, live bait), it’s overkill. But for the 20% where lure action matters — jerkbaits, topwater walking baits, streamer flies, finesse jigs — it noticeably outperforms snug knots like the improved clinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a loop knot instead of a snug knot?
A loop knot lets the lure swing freely on the line — no tight connection killing the action. This is critical for jerkbaits (which need to dart side-to-side), small jigs (free fall), streamer flies (jigging action), and topwater walking baits. A snug knot like an improved clinch can mute these actions significantly.
How big should the loop be?
Small — a quarter-inch or less. The loop is just big enough to give the lure freedom of movement, not big enough to flop around. Too-big loops can cause the lure to spin on the cast or twist line.
Is the non-slip loop strong?
Tied with 6+ wraps it retains 85-95% of line strength on mono and fluoro. On braid the strength is similar to other knots. The key is enough wraps — fewer than five and the knot can slip under heavy pressure.