How to Tie a Dropper on a Leader

Most anglers use more than one type of bait on one leader to attract fish. Some baits or flies used in conjunction can be extremely effective in a variety of fishing situations. Tying a dropper onto a leader can be accomplished a few different ways. Variations of the blood knot will be the most useful knots to know. Some fishing situations will require stronger knots; for fly fishing a simple blood knot or dropper knot will suffice, but for larger fish and leader sizes you will need to know the Stu Apte blood knot.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 sections of fishing line (longer than 2 feet)
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Instructions

  1. Dropper Knot Variation of the Blood Knot

    • 1

      Lay the leader material of choice side by side with the dropper line at the place where you want to make the knot on the leader.

    • 2

      Make an overhand loop with both the lines so there is a large enough loop with both lines to fit your finger through. Be sure to leave a long enough tag end for your dropper -- 10 to 12 inches.

    • 3

      Pull each of the tag ends (ends of the line where the bait will be attached) through the two loops twice, heading in different directions. There should now be the double loop with two twists through it from each line.

    • 4

      Grab all four ends at the same time and pull the knot tight. Leave the leftover end from the dropper line and the leader end; trim the other two ends. Both the dropper line attached from the knot and the original leader can be used to fish with bait or flies. Tie on the two different flies or bait with a loop knot or clinch knot.

    Stu Apte Blood Knot -- For Unequal Sizes of Leader or Larger Tackle

    • 5

      Double the smaller diameter leader material by folding it over itself so you have 12 inches of double line to tie the knot with. Lay the doubled-over line next to the larger-diameter leader at the point where you want the knot. Remember to leave enough of the larger-diameter leader for a dropper and to tie the knot -- 12 to 16 inches, or longer.

    • 6

      Wrap the doubled-over section around the larger-diameter line about five times where you want the knot to be secured. Pull the doubled-over line back over the five wraps and insert it between the doubled-over line and the larger-diameter leader. You may need to pinch the wraps to keep them in place while performing the next step.

    • 7

      Wrap the larger-diameter line around the doubled-over line four to five times in the opposite direction of the wraps made previously. Place the larger diameter line end back over the wraps and through at the same point where the doubled-over line is pulled through, going the opposite way.

    • 8

      Grab all of the ends of the knot and pull tight. Trim the loop off and use the large-diameter line as the dropper. Tie the bait to both the dropper and the end of the leader with a clinch or loop knot.