Wired2fish caught up with Brandon Palaniuk to revisit his thoughts on using a snell knot versus the Palomar knot when Texas-rigging with straight-shanked flipping hooks. His position has shifted since our original To Snell or Not to Snell video, and he explains how to decide on the best knot based on individual fishing styles and situations.
TACKLE
- HOOK (punching w/ braid) – VMC Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook
- HOOK (Palomar knot w/ fluoro) – VMC Flippin’ Hook
- WEIGHT – VMC Tungsten Flip’n Weight
Palaniuk has continually sought knowledge about snelling from some of the nation’s best heavy cover anglers and has concluded that snelling leads to better hookups with braid and heavy tungsten IF you use the correct hook setting method. He explains how he’s adjusted his hookset, now relying more on the rod and line to drive the hook home (tight line versus slack line).
On the other hand, Palaniuk chooses the Palomar knot when fishing with fluorocarbon. Due to line stretch, fast and hard hooksets are the norm to drive hooks home. In this situation, the freedom of movement afforded by the Palomar knot leads to more consistent hookups.
ROD SETUP
- REEL – Daiwa Tatula Elite Pitch/Flip Casting Reel, 8.1:1
- ROD – Alpha Angler Mag-Hitter – 7’11” Mag-Heavy Flipping and Punching Bass Rod
- LINE (braid) – Seaguar Smackdown Braided Line Stealth Gray, 65-pound
- LINE (fluorocarbon) – Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon Line, 20-pound:
