the fishing hook has a shank , a pointed hook portion formed at the lower end of the shank , and an eyelet formed at the upper end of the shank . the eyelet is formed by a generally d - shaped open loop that defines a cleft at the apex of the eyelet . the method of attaching a snell to a fishing hook includes the steps of : forming a loop in a snell ; passing the loop through the eyelet ; rotating the fishing hook at least one full rotation to twist the loop ; passing the loop over the open end of the eyelet ; and pulling the snell to form a knot at the apex of the eyelet .