My Latest Attempt at Sword Rigging

[Fish Dad]

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So it's been blowing all weekend so decided to make a bunch of new sword rigs for when (and if) a weather break matches up with a day off.

For the last several years I've been experiementing with various J hook setups. I've had some success with J hooks but sometimes the hook pulls. I'm now going to switch to big circle hooks. I've got 2 different ones for this experiment, a 16.0 VMC offset and an 18.0 Eagle Claw non-offset snelled to 300 lb mono.



Then you need something to keep the mantle from sliding down the hook. I've sewn it to the line using rigging floss as well as used a funnel shaped spring for ballyhoo rigs. I guess anything would work. This is just a piece of pool noodle with a couple of beads to hold it in place.



Next buy a 33 lb box of squid from Amory's in Hampton for $25. I was using the jumbo squid found in asian markets but with the size that comes from Amory's it's more common to the size squid found in our waters (match the hatch). Using food coloring, I soak it for a few hours in green, red, and purple. Keep some natural and this gives your 4 colors to try.



I made 16 rigs today.



With 300 lb mono if you cut the line at an angle, you can push it all the way through the squid straight out the mantle.





Vacuum sealed them individually and drop them in the freezer...I'm ready for when the wind stops blowing.



If the wind stops blowing I'll get out and give a report on these rigs.

Mike

[Tenacious]

Awesome work there!! Hope you kill a big one

[DropinBack]

Does the food coloring bleed at all... on the boat or even on your picnick table?

[Fish Dad]

Originally Posted by DropinBack

Does the food coloring bleed at all... on the boat or even on your picnick table?

If you rinse it off before it dries, it comes right off. But it does bleed a little, just got to make sure everything, picnic table and boat is rinse after handling.

[jamesytuna]

If I put it on the table outside like that my wife would KILL me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[whitey]

The baits look great but how did you snell those hooks? Something don't look right.

[Fish Dad]

Originally Posted by whitey

The baits look great but how did you snell those hooks? Something don't look right.

I find it hard to snell 300 lb mono using the traditional method. This method is easy with heavier line. Never had a hook pull using this method.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBC67...layer_embedded

[Squidnation]

very observerent andy. that snell error happens when you pull the line through the outside of the bend instead of the inside. I learned that the hard way years ago. Not sure if it makes sense when i explain it that way but that is whats happening

[rarhomes]

I like the looks of the natural squid the best. Please let us know how the C hook works.

Capt Rick

[seapower]

I have not seen that snell knot before. I generally use the conventinal snell not. That knot look's alot easier. Have you tried it with lighter lb test line's? If so how does it hold? No doubt you will get better hook-up number's with snelled hook's!!! Frank