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Posts: 51
| Greetings,
I have been making my own musky leaders for many years. A few years ago, I switched from snaps to attach my lure, to split rings. I thought that the split rings might be a more secure way to attach my fishing lure.
I first attach the wire (single strand or seven strand) to a welded ring, and then attach the split ring to the welded ring. I quickly found that the welded ring will not enter into the split ring the way the wire loop can.
I noticed this past weekend that my lure was able to enter the split ring, as if it was working its way free. This happened once before several years ago. I thought this first incidence was a freak, but now it has happened twice.
I am wondering if I should go back to snaps, or maybe switch brands of split rings. What has your experience been? Is there a preferred brand of split ring to use? Alternatively, is there a brand of split ring to avoid?
Kindest regards..... |
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Posts: 20219
Location: oswego, il | What split ring are you using? I like the triple ring for making bucktails and shrink wrapping them. For the application you are using, go with the worth/bucher split ring. What # test wire are are you using? |
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Posts: 416
Location: MN | I used split rings for a while - ended up switching back to Stay-Lok snaps. Noticeably easier and faster to switch baits. They are reliable - several accounts of guys with many thousands of hours on the water and zero failures. If you are paranoid, you can swap the snaps out with signs of wear. |
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Posts: 115
| Use stay lock snaps. When I was new to musky fishing I had a real big one straighten out a regular snap and left a bait hooked in its face. I switched to stay locks and haven't had a problem since. You have to replace them when they get worn out obviously, but they are good. I just buy my leaders and if they don't come with a stay lock I clip it off and put on a stay lock.
Edited by phishmasta 10/24/2018 12:23 PM
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Depending on the split ring and the size of the wire you are using you can run into this issue. I have been using split rings for about 10 years now and love it!! Guarantee no fail at a junction between lure and leader, and the time it takes to switch out a lure (in my humble opinion) is it's pretty close to a wash time-wise.
If you are using larger baits, I would suggest to go to a heavier weight wire. The heavier wire is bigger in diameter overall and you would rarely experience the situation you mention.
I use smaller wire in spring, and I get this same issue as well, so every few casts I do a quick check to ensure my lure is not coming off of the wire leader.
I've tried the solid ring to split ring as well and what I have found there is the split ring does not tighten down onto itself like a new one does...it is partially open (so to speak...if that makes sense...gaps in the split ring).
Steve |
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Posts: 51
| Greetings,
I have been using 124# AFW single strand wire for my jerkbait and glider bait leaders. This past weekend, I believe that my leader had a split ring that happened to be from Rollie & Helen's (store brand?). About two years ago, I am pretty sure that the split ring happened to be from Bucher Tackle.
I am not trying to cast any bad will towards either the Musky Shop or Bucher, as they are both well-respected companies with histories of great products. It just might be bad luck with those particular split rings, or maybe I was using them in a way not intended.
I'm leaning towards the suggestions about going back to snaps.
Many thanks for the very helpful suggestions! |
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Posts: 3147
| In freezing November snaps are easier unless your really good with split ring pliers. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | happy hooker - 10/24/2018 4:16 PM
In freezing November snaps are easier unless your really good with split ring pliers.
My thumbs don't work very well when my hands get cold (the base knuckle wants to turn in toward the base knuckle of my index finger). It's like making an OK symbol, but the base thumb knuckle wants to push inward toward the index base...
So...when it comes to closing snaps and using pressure on the end of my thumb, I honestly can't get it done well... I lose all power in my thumb.... For me, this is where the split rings shine with the pliars. I've always found it weird that my thumbs do that...
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Question about leaders