2007 Offshore Rigging Tip #1

[O-SEA-D]

TOOTH PROOFING YOUR RIG

Ok, Spring is here. What does that mean?

1. The wind is blowing
2. Wahoo are chewing
3. You want to catch Tuna's.
4. The wind is still blowing.
5. You have plenty of time to get your tackle prepared.

Nothing Hi-Tech here guys. Just a basic easy fishing tip.

Here is a small but important tip to help you catch some of both. Most of you probably know this already. However, I am sure there is someone that will benifit for this. The purpose of this wire is to keep you from getting cut off by a toothy critter down by the hook. If a toothy critter swallows your entire rig when he hits it, this will not save you.

First...cut yourself a piece of #8 or #9 wire about 4 inches long.

Next...bend one end of the wire about about 2 inches from the end back towards the other end 180 degrees. It should look like a skinny offset V.

When you add this wire to your rig you will have to go up 1 size on your crimp.

So, if your using 80lb test...instead of using a 1.0 crimp your going to need to use a 1.3 crimp.

If your are using 100 lb test....instead of using a 1.3 crimp your going to need to use a 1.6 crimp.

Get your sharpened hook, crimp, wire, weight and line ready to go.

[O-SEA-D]

Next, take your leader and run it through the crimp, then the weight, then the hook, back into the weight and back into the crimp. Leave your self about an inch of a loop between the weight and the hook so you can insert the wire without too much hastle.

Some people like to run the line through the weight like I do. Some people like to run the line through and over the top of the weight. Personally, I like doing it the way I have it pictured.

One thing to remember is to have the crimp facing so the tag end of the line is on top. WHY? I have found that when you push the wire through and bend your pin up, the leader is not there to puch the pin off to the side. It keeps everything nice and straight.
If you have the tag end of crimp down, when you insert the wire and bend the pin up, the leader is in the way and it forces the pin off to the side.

Like so....

[O-SEA-D]

Next...Get your wire lined up with your crimp and leader and crimp it down.

Make sure everything is straight and the way you want it before you crimp it. Ensure that the hook will move freely and is not in a bind with the wire and leader too tight.

Then, bend your pin up and cut it to length.

One other thing to remember....the other end of the wire that goes through the crimp should not stick out of the end of the crimp. If it does it gives the leader a sharp edge that could cut it off.

What I do is cut a bunch of these cheater wires and bend them. I take a sea witch tube and cut it down and keep my cheater wires in that so when I need another one when I am fishing its already cut and bent and ready to go.

[carom]

great tip D, I'll make sure to use it.

[Bigeye10]

Thanks I will use that this season

[livin once]

Now that is a detailed rigging tip with full instruction and photos. Thanks!!!!

[CAPTJohnny]

Hey, I know that one

[clt_capt]

Looks very similar to what we have been running for a couple of years.

We have lost very few hoos on mono or fluoro since we started running
this way.

[O-SEA-D]

Yeah, its a neat little trick. Like I said, nothing special though.

Seems like I will have some free time this weekend due to the weather. I will post up some more stuff.

[reel-emotion]

EVER WONDER WHY THIS SITE IS SO KOOL