Why the Right Knot Makes All the Difference
When you're chasing tarpon—especially on fly—the smallest details can mean the difference between a bite and a refusal.
One of the most overlooked variables?
👉 The loop knot you use to connect your fly.
If your knot causes the fly to swim unnaturally, it can spook the fish or throw off the presentation just enough to lose interest. A clean, well-tied loop knot allows your fly to move freely and naturally—exactly what tarpon respond to.
I’ve tested dozens of knots in real-world conditions, and in this video, I compare three of the most common loop knots for tarpon:
To catch the most tarpon it is important to pay attention to the details. Having a knot that makes the fly swim unnaturally can result in less bites and getting fewer tarpon to the boat. Let's take a look at three of the most commonly used loop knots for tarpon.
Here are three of the most common loop knots used for tarpon: Uni KNot, Homer Rhode ad Steve Huff Double Figure 8
1. Uni Knot
The Uni Knot is popular and quick to tie, but it’s not ideal for heavy fluorocarbon leaders:
❌ Can be hard to cinch down cleanly with thick leader
❌ Tends to kink off to the side, making the fly swim crooked
⚠️ When tied sloppily, it’s prone to failure under pressure
Bottom line: Not my first choice for tarpon.
2. Homer Rhode Loop Knot
The Homer Rhode is a classic, and many guides have used it successfully for years. It’s:
✅ Easy to tie, even in windy conditions
✅ Good option for medium-weight mono
❌ But it also kinks off to the side, causing unnatural movement
⚠️ Strength is only about 50% of the leader
It’s solid, but I think we can do better.
3. Steve Huff Double Figure 8 (My Go-To Knot)
This is the loop knot I trust the most for tarpon—and I’ve tied a lot of them.
Why it stands out:
✅ Lays perfectly smooth
✅ Cinches down cleanly even with heavy fluorocarbon
✅ Keeps the fly aligned and swimming straight
✅ Extremely strong and reliable
If you want maximum confidence when connecting to the fish of a lifetime, the Steve Huff Double 8 is the knot to use.
The Difference Is Real
When I switched to the Steve Huff knot, I immediately noticed better fly action and fewer lost fish due to knot failure. That tiny improvement in presentation often results in more eats and more fish to the boat.
You can see the difference side-by-side in the video above.
Comparing different loop knots used for tarpon
Want to Master the 5 Most Important Knots in Saltwater Fishing?
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All the best
Tom Rowland
