Figured I'd give the reels a rest this weekend and make up some Shark Rigs. I'm waiting on more goodies from The Boss, Lee and Bryan to do some more reel mods.
I just used the Wire this evening. Tooth Proof #22 and #19. My fingers are sore today!
Used about 12' of wire and 12' of 480lb cable to the main line with a sliding trace on the cable.
Used up my big Gamakatsu 14/0's for some Monster rigs, A couple Mustad 20/0's, Lingred Pitman 18/0's, and VMC 16's.
That little diamond file makes them needle Sharp! ;)
Those look like sum good quality hooks. I am a fan of the commercial grade, ringed Mustad 16/0s (4.6mm dia). We used a few if those ridiculously large circle hooks (like the SS ones they use on that Great White fishing/research show), for catching large Tigers. We would use spectra rope, and hard float bouys to subdue them quickly via hand lines outta 17 ft whalers in shallow water.
Thanks for the Reminder Daron. I have been so busy getting my business set-up that I have completely forgot to make my order to AFW to get my bulk spools of tooth proof and my swivels.
Daron, two questions. Does one need a fishing license to fish Florida saltwater? When are we going to catch some sharks? Really 3 questions, will you paddle my bait out? ;) Dominick
Yes, I buy a non resident License every year. Better yet, My Wife will paddle your Bait Out! ;)
I'm headed to the Gulf the last two weeks in May.
I'm getting pretty good with My Haywire twists. This is #19 wire with a VMC 16/0 hook. Sharp as Hell!
Here is a Mustad 20/0 and Gama 14/0 an the the #22 wire. This is some serous wire! Its already been discontinued. I have a lifetime supply! The other two are the VMC's with #19 wire with 12' of 480lb nylon coated cable to the main line. Double crimped with copper crimps and stainless thimbles.
Made a few Tipper rigs for my trip in June to my favorite shark hole. This is #10 wire with a 9/0 ringed circle around 7' long with a 130# swivel.
(http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii608/saltydogreelrepair/Reel%20repair/Fishing%20rigs/DSCI0029_zpsc98cb8dc.jpg) (http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/saltydogreelrepair/media/Reel%20repair/Fishing%20rigs/DSCI0029_zpsc98cb8dc.jpg.html)
Nice Twists William! Short and sweet! ;)
Three to five twists is all you need more on lighter and fewer on the heavy stuff. Practice makes perfect.
I make supper small ones for my wahoo live bait leaders.
Funny,
Looks just like safety wire. Has anyone tried to spin those with safety wire pliers? Bet it would be nice.
Ron
Obviously you have never tried to twist 500 lb test wire. Its an art.
Its not anything like safety wire. It is hard to do and can only be done with your hands. I use safety wire and pliers at my work and there is no comparison.
Oh to the contrair I have twisted a lot of that and it is a pain to say the least, I just don't need anything that heavy fishing with 80# line off a beach. #10-#15 are the best and I use the lighter stuff for macks while throwing spoons and iron, plus some liveries.
It is overkill, but I'm not getting cut off. I'm fishing straight 130 lb mono with this monster 24' leader of wire and cable. Once I get him close enough to grab the leader, He is coming with me!
My son is my leader man, and I have the tail rope ready! My brother is the Camera Man, and its a race to see how quick we can get the Beast back in the water! Its a rush! ;D
I wonder how those haywire twist jigs/tools would handle the heavier wire?
A pair of flat nose pliers works better, most of those wire formers unless you spend around 160.00 only bend .041 wire and don't do well with the bigger stuff.
Thanks for sharing Shark Hunter, why do you use a length of wire and then cable? Why not cable all the way? What is the advantage of the wire?
Cable can be bitten through a lot easier than the wire. If he is hooked in the corner of the mouth, its not an issue, but think about it. If his teeth get a good bite on the cable, its all over. With the wire, it is harder for him to get a bite on it.
And a the shorter wire section at the front can be changed after each shark if it is twisted or shows signs of wear or you jst need to change out the size of the hook no crimpers needed.
I still use cable leaders too. The cable at the start and then 400 lb mono to the main line. I'm just getting some big rigs ready. ;)
Quote from: saltydog on January 13, 2014, 02:30:01 PM
And a the shorter wire section at the front can be changed after each shark if it is twisted or shows signs of wear or you jst need to change out the size of the hook no crimpers needed.
Aha! Clever plan. I won't really use such traces as I cast and simply knot the cable (I used to crimp uncoated cable until I broke my crimping tool) but still interesting way of doing it. Does the wire not cut the shark sometimes though or run a higher risk of snapping if it gets a kink? I understand the bite off risk,
Its Fishing. Anything can happen. Hours of Preparation pay off in the fight. ;)
If you use a new piece of wire after each shark or at least cut of the twisted section and re haywire your hook on you have very little chance of a wire kinking and breaking. Most of those stories you hear about wire are from people who use there leader multiple time on multiple fish, wire is super cheap and switching out between fish is the only way to go.
On the next point there skin is super tough and have never seen a wire cut into there mouth or body.
Tackle Maint. is as important as reel maint. We evaluate each leader we use whether we catch a fish or not. There are so many variables when it comes to the oceans. I.E. Sandbars, smaller predator fish (Blues, Mackeral), Barnicles around piling, wrecks, reefs. Not to mention the abuse from a fight or just corrossion itself. Any leader new or used can come apart, but there is definitely a bigger sence of accomplishment when you can reel in a beast off of leaders that you built with your own hands.
Quote from: Chris Gatorfan on January 14, 2014, 04:47:28 PM
there is definitely a bigger sence of accomplishment when you can reel in a beast off of leaders that you built with your own hands.
Indeed! ;)
It is always more fun on your rigs.
Yup
Daron......less wire, more cable ;) I'd say 6ft of wire and 22-24 of cable at least.......more running room with the bait ya know?
If the wire gets messed up, I can just cut off the bad part and still be good for several times. Just thinking of the long haul. I can always cut the wire and hook up a 30' mono sliding trace. I used this setup and it works good for me. I have at least a 25' to 35' leader that I can't reel in either way. Its kind of hard to tie 480lb cable to 130 mono. I double crimp everything with 2.2 copper crimps and stainless thimbles. Where I Shark Fish, I don't need a lot of weight, I'm talking 1 1/2 ounce. It drops off quick. I think this set up is perfect for the Monster I Seek! From the drop off to the beach, this is perfect. ;)
Hi,
I see how you finished off your haywire twist by cutting of the tag end with snips. That little tag end can be like a sharp barb.
Try bending the wire tag end (about 1-1/2" to 2") along the length of the wire leader from hook side to the other side back and forth a few times with a plier or your fingers and the wire will break clean real close to the finished end. It'll get a little hot and snap right off. You will not feel anything sharp there. Nice and safe for handling.
Start at a 90 degree angle first then start your bending towards the hook or other end. If you use pliers, take hold of the wire about a 1/4" to 3/8" from the coil you just made.
Just a tip that I'd like to pass on.
Fish on,
Stuart
Thanks Stuart, You Shark Fish?
Stuart is right, breaking the wire is the only way to go because it does not leave sharp edges for your hands to get cut on.
Hi Shark,
No I don't. But I have caught a few tigers, hammerheads and reefs unintentionally.
The one's I've brought in are in the 7-8 foot range. All the larger ones are "sayonara" runs.
We just try to button down the brakes and hope the Albright knot gives so that we get all our line back. :-\
If we see the spool emptying, three guys are holding the rod and another with the cutters!
Fish on,
Stuart
Well, Hopefully I will unintentionally catch a few of those myself. ;)
You're all set to catch the big one! It'll come.