Loose or Tight?

[Current Affair]

When twisting a haywire should your wraps be tight or loose?

Bob

[twodogs]

First few twists are fairly loose, barrels wraps that follow are tight against one another...I hope that was the answer to your question. It becomes second nature with practice, you won't even look down..

[neilinov]

Bob:

When's the new rig getting back to IRI?

[reel fool]

First few twists are fairly loose, barrels wraps that follow are tight against one another...

disagree.

the first twist is the tightest, and they get looser as you go. some like to twist 2,3 or even 4 inches. mine are shorter. maybe too short, but haven't lost a fish to it yet. the most important twist is the first. this is your "knot". the barrel wrap simply keeps your twists from unwinding. I do 1 barrel wrap & break off. remember, the 2 wires twist around one another, not one around the other.

[Captain Fred Archer]

I use the same firm pressure throughout a haywire twist. For many decades I have used five twists and five barrel wraps. Seems to me that both components of the knot are important. I have never had one fail in nearly fifty years of haywiring. The barrel wraps actually keep the knot from sliding down the standing portion of the wire, which, as we used to show people at seminars, causes the wire to break.

If you aren't going to tie a lot of haywires, I strongly recommend that you get a DuBro Haywire Twist Tool and master it. It makes tying haywires fast and easy and you'll get a perfect haywire every time with none of the wear and tear you'll get on your hands and fingers without it.

Be sure to make the little "handle" shown below and break off the end of the wire instead of cutting it. If you cut it a nasty piece will be left that can cut the heck out of you.

[Captain Fred Archer]

Sorry for the huge pictures. Couldn't figure out how to delete the danged things. (Number of wraps less than usual because knot was done to show "handle" before and after breaking off.

[Cowboy]

I am with Fred here if you don't do alot of twisting or at least enough to get good at it, Get a twister. Bobby swing by and see me I will show you the Carolina twisting method I had a great teacher that helped me perfect mine.
Most important is what Reel Fool said you are twisting both wires not wrapping one around the other.

[Bert Rodgers]

On smaller (#6-#9) wire I have always used 8 relatively tight turns and 4 barrol wraps, On larger wire 4 tight turns followed by 6 looser turns and 4 barrol wraps.

Bert

[twodogs]

By loose I meant not as tight as barrel wraps. Not sure how you can tie wire loose anyway - spaced more maybe...

Not a pro, I only tie hundreds (not thousands) of king rigs per year (4 haywires per rig) by hand, so my technique may differ slightly, but rarely lose fish from my wraps either. I have lost them from bad wire, but not wraps.

I'll try to find a pic of some of mine.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

If you tie hundreds and rarely loose them...Keep up the good work! Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

HOLWACHAGOT