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Episode Show Notes
Tom Rowland, professional fishing guide in the Florida Keys and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, breaks down the two most important loop knots for giving your lures and flies maximum action on the water. In this How To Tuesday episode, Tom reveals which knot wins the strength test between the Homer Rhode and the Steve Huff Double Figure Eight, with precise breaking strength percentages that might surprise you. He also shares how you can access every knot test result from the podcast in one convenient free resource.
Which loop knot is stronger: the Homer Rhode or the Steve Huff Double Figure Eight?
The Steve Huff Double Figure Eight edges out the Homer Rhode with a breaking strength of 77.2% compared to the Homer Rhode's 68.14%. Both knots allow lures and flies to move freely for enhanced action, but the Double Figure Eight retains significantly more of the line's original strength.
Who is Tom Rowland?
Tom Rowland is a professional fishing guide in the Florida Keys and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, one of the top fishing podcasts. He is the host of Saltwater Experience on television and has spent decades teaching anglers how to improve their skills on the water.
This episode is brought to you by Star brite, the marine care products Tom relies on to keep his gear performing at its best. When you're testing knots to failure and putting equipment through rigorous use on the water, quality maintenance products make all the difference.
The Steve Huff Double Figure Eight: A Loop Knot That Delivers Strength
When you need a loop knot that won't sacrifice too much breaking strength, Tom turns to a specific tying sequence that starts with an overhand knot and transforms it into something stronger. The key is passing the tag end through twice to create a figure eight, then carefully routing it through the hook eye and around both sides of that initial figure eight before finishing with a double wrap. The final step of pulling just the standing line while letting go of the tag end brings everything together in a way that maximizes strength retention. Watch Tom tie the complete Steve Huff Double Figure Eight step-by-step in this episode.
The Homer Rhode: Simple and Effective for Maximum Action
The Homer Rhode takes a different approach, starting about six or seven inches from the tag end with an overhand knot. After passing through the hook eye, the line goes back through that initial overhand and gets snugged down to control loop size. Then comes a second overhand around the standing line, and here's what matters: where you tighten this final knot determines exactly how much freedom of movement your lure will have. It's a simpler tie than the Double Figure Eight, but that simplicity comes with a tradeoff in breaking strength. See exactly how loop size affects performance as Tom demonstrates the complete Homer Rhode technique.
See both loop knots tied step-by-step and learn which one wins the strength test
The Knot Test Results That Matter
After testing both knots to failure, the numbers tell a clear story about which loop knot retains more of your line's original strength. The Steve Huff Double Figure Eight came in at 77.2%, while the Homer Rhode registered 68.14%. That's nearly a 10% difference in breaking strength, which could mean the difference between landing a fish of a lifetime or watching it swim away. Tom and his team have tested every knot they can think of, breaking line after line to give you real-world data on what works best in different situations. Hear Tom break down exactly what these percentages mean for your fishing at the end of this episode.
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SubscribeAccess Every Knot Test in One Free Resource
Tom has compiled all of the knot testing results from the podcast into a convenient knot guide that you can download for free at tomrowlandpodcast.com. Instead of searching through episodes or trying to remember which knot tested strongest for which application, you can reference one comprehensive resource that shows you the data. Whether you're rigging for offshore fishing, tying leaders for tarpon, or setting up for bonefish on the flats, having these test results at your fingertips helps you make informed decisions about which knots to trust with your most important catches. Tom explains how to get your free knot guide and what's included in this episode.
Don't miss this essential How To Tuesday breakdown.
Learn which loop knot you should be tying for maximum strength and action.
Key Takeaways
- • Loop knots give lures and flies more freedom of movement in the water, but choosing the right one affects how much line strength you retain
- • The Steve Huff Double Figure Eight delivers 77.2% breaking strength compared to the Homer Rhode's 68.14%
- • The Double Figure Eight requires passing the tag end through twice to create the initial figure eight, then carefully routing it around both sides
- • The Homer Rhode uses two overhand knots with the loop size determined by where you tighten the second overhand around the standing line
- • Tom has tested every knot he can think of and compiled all results into a free downloadable knot guide available at tomrowlandpodcast.com
Final Thoughts from Tom
Occasionally, you want to tie a loop knot to give your lure or fly more action, and knowing which one to choose makes a real difference. I use both of these knots depending on the situation, but understanding that the Steve Huff Double Figure Eight gives you nearly 10% more breaking strength than the Homer Rhode helps you make the right call when it matters most.
We've spent years testing knots to failure on the Tom Rowland Podcast, and I wanted to put all of that data into one place where you can access it anytime. That's why we created the free knot guide at tomrowlandpodcast.com. It's got every test result organized so you can quickly find the strongest knot for whatever you're rigging.
This How To Tuesday is brought to you by Danco, and it's a quick but important one. Whether you're chasing tarpon in the Keys or throwing topwater plugs for bass, these two loop knots will serve you well. Download the knot guide and keep it handy—you'll reference it more than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the strongest loop knot for fishing?
The Steve Huff Double Figure Eight is the strongest loop knot tested by Tom Rowland, retaining 77.2% of the line's original breaking strength. This knot provides excellent freedom of movement for lures and flies while maintaining superior strength compared to other loop knots.
How do you tie the Steve Huff Double Figure Eight knot?
Start with an overhand knot, passing the tag end through twice to create a figure eight. Pass the tag end through the hook eye, then route it up one side of the figure eight and down the other. Wrap the tag end around the standing line twice, pass it through both loops, pull the figure eight tight, then pull only the standing line to bring the two figure eights together.
What is the breaking strength of the Homer Rhode loop knot?
The Homer Rhode loop knot tested at 68.14% breaking strength in Tom Rowland's knot tests. While this is lower than the Steve Huff Double Figure Eight, the Homer Rhode is simpler to tie and still provides the freedom of movement needed for lure and fly action.
When should you use a loop knot instead of a direct connection?
Use a loop knot when you want to give your lure or fly more action in the water. The loop allows the lure to move more freely rather than being rigidly connected to the line, which can result in more natural movement and better fish attraction, particularly with flies and certain artificial lures.
Where can I find Tom Rowland's complete knot testing results?
Tom Rowland has compiled all knot testing results from the podcast into a free downloadable knot guide available at tomrowlandpodcast.com. The guide includes breaking strength percentages for every knot tested, organized for easy reference when rigging for different fishing situations.
Related Episodes
Tom breaks down every knot test conducted on the podcast and explains which knots to use for different fishing applications.
Another essential knot for saltwater fishing that maintains maximum line strength when creating a double line.
Learn which knots and rigging techniques Tom uses when targeting tarpon in the Florida Keys.
Sponsors
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Shop Star briteTitle sponsor of How To Tuesday. Danco provides the tools and equipment that make every fishing trip better, from terminal tackle to essential gear.
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Shop GORUCKSteve Huff (Loop knot innovator), Homer Rhode (Loop knot innovator)
Download the complete Tom Rowland Podcast Knot Guide with all knot testing results and step-by-step instructions.
Tom Rowland
Tom Rowland is a professional fishing guide in the Florida Keys and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, one of the top fishing podcasts. He is the host of Saltwater Experience on television and has spent decades teaching anglers how to improve their skills on the water. Tom has tested hundreds of fishing knots to failure, compiling comprehensive strength data to help anglers make informed rigging decisions. Learn more at tomrowlandpodcast.com
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