Stop knots are widely used in sea angling for the following reasons:
- Creating a stopping point on a hooklength to keep attractor sequins/beads in place.
- Holding an impact shield in place on a rig.
- Making a stopping point for a float on a sliding float rig.
- Replacing crimps to make adjustable and movable points for hooklengths to join a rig body.
Previously power gum was often used as a stop knot. This is primarily used in freshwater fishing and is a stretchy, rubbery line that can be tied into knots to provide a moveable stop. However, these days stop knots made out of neoprene rig tubing are much more popular as they are stronger and much simpler. They can also be moved up and down fishing line. The longer the piece of neoprene is the more securely it will stay in place, but the harder it will be to move. Generally, neoprene for hooklengths to keep beads or attractors in place should be around 3 – 5mm in length, while neoprene for keeping impact shields, floats or to replace crimps should be 6 – 8mm in length.

The most popular brand is Gemini’s Neoprene Rig Tubing. This is usually priced at around £2 per packet and is widely available from fishing tackle shops and online retailers. The following provides a guide on how to tie a neoprene stop knot (despite not actually being a stop knot the term is still often used).
In addition to the images below we now have a video of how to tie a neoprene stop knot on our YouTube channel – click here to view.
1. Cut an appropriately sized section of neoprene with a pair of scissors.
2.Take the section of neoprene and thread the line through it.
3. Pull 10 – 15 centimetres of the line through the neoprene.
4. Loop the line over
5. Now push the line back through the section of neoprene.
6. Pull both ends of the line so the loop begins to tighten.
7. When the line gets to this stage pull it tight.
8. Continue to pull and until the stop knot forms.
9. The neoprene stop knot can now be moved into the required place on the line.
10. The completed stop knot in place on the line.
Neoprene rig tubing stop knots are strong, versatile and much easier to tie than power gum stop knots. For these reasons, they are now the most popular way of making a moveable stop on a sea fishing rig. Purchase Gemini Rig Tubing from Amazon by clicking here.
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