Eskimo bowline structure of the knot was not identified by Clifford Ashley (in 1944). All of the maneuvers to tie this knot are generally in the opposite (or 'anti' direction) relative to the bowline. Dan Lehman regards the general, bowline-like structure as an 'anti-bowline' in the sense of "anti-clockwise": in that with regard to the main nipping loop, the tail on returning from forming the eye is brought through this loop in the opposite direction relative to what is done for a bowline. When this knot is ring-loaded – and the knot effectively becomes an end-to-end knot – it is effectively a
Figure eight (angling) pattern to be executed. Short rods naturally create a shorter overall figure-eight pattern. They result in tighter-radius patterns, which are often difficult for larger muskies to follow. The longer rod increases the entire size of the figure eight, including widening the turns. Collectively, it becomes far easier for a large fish to follow the lure throughout the entire process. The long rod is also superior after the fish hits. Short rods are stiffer and less forgiving. Additional length helps to keep a very even pressure on the fish at all times, so it cannot break the line or shake the