Historical information about the node
The appearance of some nodal connections has become an extreme necessity due to the birth of new equipment and artificial baits. The mass fascination with wobblers among spinning anglers has revealed a number of negative aspects associated with connecting the bait to the fishing line. It turned out that with a rigid installation option, the mobility of the wobbler is lost. And predatory fish are distrustful of the slightest disruption in the action of the bait. Specialists from the famous Finnish company Rapala tried to solve the problem of attaching wobblers to fishing line. They noticed that when the wobbler is connected to the thread using a sliding mount, the fish bites better than in the case of a fixed mount. Thus was born the popular Rapalovsky knot, which received the brand name Jam Knot. This is the option recommended in the insert when purchasing wobblers from this Finnish company. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this type of bait-line connection?
Rapala knot
3 minutes Author: Konstantin Pavlov 0
A picture with a method for attaching a fishing line to a wobbler on the back of the packaging of branded Finnish lures is not only an instruction, but also a signature “trick” of the Rapala brand. Initially, the Rapala knot was developed as an original way of tying a fishing line on a wobbler ring. But after a while, the branded knot firmly fit into the everyday life of fishermen, and now it is used everywhere in both summer and winter fishing. The creators of the knot describe their creation as an unprecedented breakthrough in the history of spinning fishing. You can’t argue: even the most expensive and catchy wobbler, if tied incorrectly, can turn out to be an ordinary expensive toy, no matter what game parameters are included in it. What do the Finns offer?
Advantages and disadvantages
The invention of new node connections intended for the installation of equipment or hooks is explained by several reasons. During the knitting process, the strength of the fishing line should be maintained as much as possible. This allows you to use thinner threads when fishing. The knot connection should be simple, so that even novice fishermen can tie a hook directly on the pond. In some cases, you involuntarily want to ask a fishing colleague for help in order to get the end of the fishing line into the loop. The fishing knot must fit the element of the tackle that needs to be attached to the fishing line. So, for installing hooks, small knots are better suited, which will not be noticed by the fish interested in the bait. But for baits that will move in the water column, a volumetric knot is allowed, but in a sliding design. Attention! Whatever type of connection the angler chooses, the line must be moistened before tightening any knot. Not all fishermen adopted the invention of Finnish fishermen. What is holding back the victorious march of the union among domestic fishermen? As for strength, the Rapala knot fully meets the requirements of experts. The absence of strong kinks allows you to maintain the tensile strength of the fishing line at 90%. This type of connection can be used both when using monofilament thread and when completing the gear with a braided cord. In pursuit of the formation of a non-slip loop, Rapala employees missed such an important point as the volume of the knot. And if in relation to wobblers this indicator is not critical, then for a small hook a nodal connection is not suitable. Many fishermen who do not use the Finnish knot note the difficulty of knitting. If you don’t have a visual aid at hand, you won’t be able to remember all the loops and folds.
Pros and cons of the node
The obvious advantages include the ability of the bait, on such a loop, to create natural, natural movements. The knot allows you to make the size of the loop sufficient for the free play of the wobbler (spinner).
Another plus is that most of the strength of the fishing line is retained. The load is transferred to the loop through the center turn, which is ensured by the knitting structure of the knot.
The downside is the inability to use the knot with very thin fishing lines. It has too high (cutting, compressive) forces inside itself.
Well suited for catching perch and pike perch without the use of an additional leash. Its use directly is not advisable for pike fishing.
On what fishing lines and what is it used for?
Despite some negative aspects in the formation of a nodal connection from Rapala, it has enormous potential. • The Finnish knot is considered a universal option for different types of fishing line. This is the best option if you want to form a non-tightening loop with a slight loss of thread strength. But the most impressive results are shown by the Rapal knot on fluorocarbon fishing lines. • Anglers use this type of connection to mount a fluorocarbon swivel. Most often, a rigid leash does not provide the necessary mobility of the nozzle. Thanks to the combination of a swivel, a fluorocarbon leader and a Rapal knot, it is possible to achieve the required mobility and reliability. • Fly fishermen have also found use for the Finnish compound. Using a leash made of monofilament or braid does not always provide the necessary mobility of flies. Because of this, suspicious fish follow the bait, but do not attack. The knot helps when fishing with heavy flies and streamers. • In spinning fishing, you can tie the main line with a spinner or wobbler only if the probability of a pike biting is low. The only thing that saves you from the sharp teeth of this predator is a metal leash, which has a sliding bait assembly. In other cases, the use of a Rapal knot allows you to increase the catchability of a wobbler, popper or walker.
Do I need a leash on the balancer?
This is another topic that haunts winter spinners. It is clear that a heavy metal leader makes the game worse, especially for small and light lures. In winter, the water is cleaner, so such a leash will be noticeable to the fish. Experienced fishermen know that in winter the number of pike bites on a rig without a leash is an order of magnitude higher. At the same time, you don’t want to leave an expensive (or even worse, your favorite and catchy) bait in the pike’s mouth.
The general system for using leashes in winter is as follows:
- A leash is not used for catching pike perch and pike perch.
- It can also be neglected when fishing for pike, especially in the dead of winter, if it is known for certain from other anglers that the predator does not swallow deeply in this particular body of water.
- When specifically fishing for pike, as well as in reservoirs where its grip is very likely, it is better to use a leash.
The winter leash for the balancer should be thin and soft. Therefore, hard steel summer options are not suitable. It is recommended to use the following options:
- Thin tungsten leash from the store. In this case, the fittings hanging on it are removed (carefully bitten off with wire cutters). At the top of the main line it can be tied with a clinch, palomar, rapala knot or loop in a loop. Below - through a winding ring or a small carabiner.
- Fluorocarbon twist (2-3 strands of 0.2-0.3 each).
- Special leader material, for example, surflon.
Some fishermen advise using braided line as a leash, but in vain. Braided line can be cut by pike just as quickly and easily as monofilament. Always carefully approach the equipment of the balancing gear; all components must be neat and durable. Don’t forget, the main thing is the correct action of the bait.
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Finnish knot formation technology
To securely fix a bait, swivel or hook using a Rapal knot, you need to pay attention to several nuances. The piece of fishing line or braid should be even and smooth. Damage and spiral-shaped areas are not allowed. It is important! The peculiarity of the knotted connection from Rapala is that it is necessary to leave a sufficiently long end (from 30 cm) of the fishing line. The technological chain for forming a nodule is as follows. 1. Stepping back from the edge of the fishing line 25-35 cm, make a regular single knot. It does not need to be tightened all the way; it leaves a loop with the diameter of your little finger. The end segment should be about 20 cm.
2. The free end of the fishing line is pulled into the eye of the hook, bait or swivel and directed to the previously formed loop. 3. Now you need to get the fishing line into the loose knot. At this stage, the angler can set the required size of the loop along which the swivel or wobbler will move.
4. Next, the free end is wrapped around the main line towards the rod. It is enough to make 3-4 turns.
5. The line is wrapped back and pulled into a loose knot on the side where it was wound after leaving the eye of the bait.
6. Again, the fishing line is directed back into the large loop, which was created in the area where the main thread was twisted.
7. All that remains is to tighten all the knots and loops. But first you need to wet the line. Next, you need to simultaneously pull on the main line, its end and the loop. 8. After tightening, the excess fishing line is cut off so that a 2-3 mm long tip peeks out from the knot. If you have not yet used a Rapala knot, try tying your wobbler with it, and the bait will immediately receive an additional degree of freedom. Source
What can replace the Rapala knot?
For a wobbler to play well, as intended by the manufacturer, it requires minimal restriction of its free movement in the water. This can be achieved by eliminating all kinds of winding rings, clasps, swivels, and steel leashes. The Rapalava knot does this very well. You can replace it using the following similar fasteners:
Tight loop
Can be used for wobblers and fly fishing.
Knitting pattern:
| A simple flat knot is formed (12 cm from the edge of the fishing line). The free end is threaded through the eye of the wobbler, leaving a loose knot (leaving approximately 9 cm of working length). |
| The knot is tightened (distance from the ear 2 cm). |
| On the main line, using the free part of the tip, another knot is made, wetted and tightened. |
Learning to knit a joint
The Rapala knot is also great for jigs. It is more reliable than other options. As you can see, this node has enough advantages. And it is suitable for different elements and purposes.
Many fishing professionals advise making this knot on fluorocarbon fishing lines and installing a swivel on it. The result is excellent motor function and reliability. Just be sure to pay attention to the fishing line. It should be free of dents, tears or bends.
The Rapala knot is designed for elements with a loop or eyelet fastening. First, a regular knot is made, then the end of the fishing line should pass through the hole of the wobbler. Thus, the knot is knitted obliquely.
The end that will be the running one must be wrapped around the axial one three times. After this, it is threaded into the eye of the wobbler with a twist back. Next you need to pass it through the loop. Next, the knot is tightened.
There are different fishing knots for leashes, but the Rapala knot is indispensable for tying baits.
Learning how to knit it thoroughly can be difficult for some. However, you can always have a reminder with you that will become an indispensable assistant.
Source: fb.ru
Rapala knot for balancer
