The Prusik knot

I've been playing with this knot for many years for lots of tying things down. 
It's a easy knot and really functional knot. 

Now, every once in a while I will come up with a thought that is completely random but usually good for conversation. 

Here's my latest ponder and question of insanity.

What are your thoughts on using Prusik knots in place of dropper loops for things like shrimp flys, drop shots, etc?

Would these be stronger, weaker, no difference? 

The one reason I even thought of this knot in this use was to be able to quickly adjust it up or down the line depending on where the fish are.  Then I thought, I could also slide it all the way down to make securing the hook(s) for travel would be cleaner without having loose hooks just dangling willynilly.

What's your thoughts?

Cool idea Insayn!

I used these a lot when I used to climb.  One of the strengths of this knot is that it doesn't pinch a climbing rope.  Another is that the more pressure you put on it, the less it slides.  I'm sure the same would hold true for fishing line also. 

The question would be; are there any bad combinations?  ie Mono to Braid, Braid to Braid, Braid to Mono.

-Spot-

How do you make the loop? Diagram shows no knot to create the loop line.


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How do you make the loop? Diagram shows no knot to create the loop line.


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I just make an overhand loop knot to make my Prusiks out of.  I prefer to have that be the weakest link if anything is going to break due to over torqued situation.  However, if you are looking for closer to 100% reliability of a loop, there is the double fishermans knot, or I'd probably go with something similar to how single assist hooks are created.  This way your assist hook loop could be used for your Prusik, or could be attached to an additional Prusik loop giving you the option to swap out/remove the hook from the loop if damaged.

Seems you could put a loop like this on swim baits and have a quick and easy ling rig.

I was tying double overhand instead of dropper loops but didn't run a strength test. Thoughts?


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I have thought of it before, but without tension, prussik  knots slip easily. That is its main advantage as a climbing knot - you can slide it with no weight on it, but as soon as you tension it, it grabs. I think as a dropper loop it would quickly end up at the bottom of your leader. Also, fishing line is a little slick, and the greater the main line diameter to prussik loop ratio, the better the hold. Not enough difference in leader materials, IMO.

I am experimenting next trip with leaders tied up using figure 8 loops as dropper loops. I'll post my results next week.

I've used these while flyfishing. But that is using really limp line and usually only one dropper where it is fine that it slides to the bottom. The benefit for me was the speed in which you could swap out the second fly when searching. (I had a selection pretied) Yes, it would slide for me, but I caught many trout like this and never had a problem with the knot. 

Maybe if it's wrapped 3 times like in Insayn's second post it'll hold mid-line. Hmmm

1 wrap is a lark's head
2 wraps Prusik
3 wraps Insayn dropper loop

Seems you could put a loop like this on swim baits and have a quick and easy ling rig.

I was tying double overhand instead of dropper loops but didn't run a strength test. Thoughts?


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Are you saying you were using double over hands for your dropper loops rather than an actual dropper loop? 

Not sure on actual strength ratios between them, but would guess that the real dropper loop would be less apt to break on ya over the double over hand.  Just a guess though.

I've used both double overhand and dropper loop as well as a few other experiments.  I'm not happy with any results so far.

-Allen

I've used both double overhand and dropper loop as well as a few other experiments.  I'm not happy with any results so far.

-Allen

Have you any experience using a Prusik in a dropper configuration?   Like Spot mentioned, curious how it would work on various mono/braid combo's.  Would be awesome if a mono Prusik worked well on a braided line.  Will have to fiddle with some various scenarios and see what works and what does not.

It's entirely possible that the Prusik is better suited for just rope and not fishing line.   

I have not tried the Prusik for fishing, but you bet I will.

I'm sort of thinking I won't do it on mono/braid combos.  I think with just a little slippage that the braid will burn right through the mono.

I guess maybe there is one setup I'm mildly pleased with.  I tie a bimini twist with a long loop, then cut the loop to make one short tag and one long one.  The main drawback is that this is not something that is easily tied on the water.  I suppose you can do something similar with your favorite loop knot.

Personally I don't like the surgeon loop (double overhand) with the loop perpendicular to the line.  When tied this way, I believe the pressure on the knot is not in the direction that the knot was intended as the tag end and the line go in opposite directions.  This tends to "open up the knot" and puts pressure on it in ways I think the know wasn't intended for.

With the standard dropper loop, I've had too many breaks at the knot, so refuse to use it anymore.

-Allen

I know what you're saying about the double over hand pulling itself apart or closing the loop.  I avoid those altogether. 

Fortunately, I haven't had any issues with a properly tied dropper loop yet (knock on wood).  Lube that sucker up good when tightening it down as it causes all kinds of friction getting it snug. I would also venture to guess that if one or more of the wraps crossed over at some point during tightening, it's possibly game over for that loop at the worst opportune time.   

I'm pretty religious about lubricating knots and making sure they sit right, so I don't think my lack of faith in the dropper loop is due to my knot tying abilities.  I think the knot just sucks.

-Allen

I'm pretty religious about lubricating knots and making sure they sit right, so I don't think my lack of faith in the dropper loop is due to my knot tying abilities.  I think the knot just sucks.

-Allen

I have not doubt in your knots or knot tying skills.  I may not have had failures due to the MUCH smaller fish I tend to target with the dropper loop.  The failure rate for me would probably go up if I tried catching fish larger than a few pounds.

So, here is my preliminary testing in the garage using the tug test.

12lb mono Prusik to 15lb mono mainline is no good.  Slips upon tugging.

12lb mono Prusik to sturgeon leader (it's what I had laying around close).   This works! 

Not sure of an application for the two sizes, but it works!   Slips up and down as easy as a bobber stop, yet holds solid when even the lightest tug is applied.  I think it has to do with the rope like limpness of the sturgeon leader.

I don't have anything bigger than 20lb braid laying around but I will give that one a go when I have time to dig that out.

Now, in the process of fiddling in the garage, I think I just created another knot that I like.  Not sure if anyone has made or seen this before.  Nor do I have any idea of what the strength of it would be.  Seems about perfect for surf perch Prusik loops with hooks, and possibly even assist hooks.

I just doubled my line over and poked the loop out of the eye an inch (this would normally be the line heading to the swivel).  Held the two 1" tag ends along the shank aimed toward the hook bend (this would normally be a single tag).  Proceeded to wrap the loops from the eye towards the bend as you normally would on a snell knot.  Spit on the wraps and pull the loop all the way up and snug it all down. 

Then just went about tying the Prusik onto the two different main lines.