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Posts: 12
| Good afternoon everyone,
I was hoping to get some clarity on making my own leaders. After spending all morning researching flouro and single strand leaders on here I have decided to try making my own. Although there were a few things that I didn't get answer I was hoping some of you could chime in on.
Single strand-
Where and what kind of wire? The highest I can find on Rollie and Helens is .027 and I see most like .029
What tools do you guys use to the the bend and twists into the wire? Also I see most guys use a solid ring at the end of the leader and have a split ring on all lures. So do you use a split ring pliers to put on and take off every lure?
Lastly, what size split ring and solid ring do you use and where can they be bought? (I didn't see any on R&H)
Flouro-
Can someone recommend specific crimps and a good crimper i should be using to properly crimp flouro leaders? I see a lot of guys that don't trust them and people counter by saying you need proper crimpers.
Do you also use a solid ring at the end and attach lure with a split ring?
For barrel swivels what size, and do they get attached to the line end or lure end of the leader?
Sorry for the questions. I tried to find pictures and information on tools and specific things in the forums but there were a few things that I could not find answers to. If any of you are willing to post a picture or if you have a how to video you would be willing to share that would be greatly appreciated. |
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Posts: 3158
| Guy I have been making hard nylon and now florocarbon leaders for years,,all you need to do is attach swivel s and snaps using a double surgeons knot/loop and if it makes you feel better put a drop of superglue on knot. Never had one break or fail, and the loop allows you to change snaps if you use the stiringease kind, you can learn this knot by googling it. |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | I learned how to crimp musky leaders in aircraft mechanic's school. That may sound odd, but it's really no different than crimping control cables--and that's the way I treat it.
I use 135# nylon-coated 7-strand cable, but I've also made a bunch of fluoro leaders for some clear-water-fishing friends using the same techniques. I use 1.0mm double-barrel collars for the 100# fluoro, and 1.3mm double-barrel crimps for the 135# cable leaders. I've made a bunch of them over the years, and have tested a few to destruction--the crimps never fail. I used to tie leaders but once I learned to crimp them...I've never looked back.
As to the brand of equipment, I use seven-strand collars as I recall. I think I bought a Shimano crimper--it might actually be a seven-strand unit as well. It's been years since I bought it so I'll have to look at the thing again to see the name. But DO NOT use single-barrel crimps, as the tendency is to over-crimp (over-compress) the things in order to get the crimp tight, and that will put little nicks in the line (especially fluoro), which become stress risers that tend to break later.
If you want to talk more about the crimping process, just PM or email me and I'll send my cell number. But crimping really isn't all the difficult--you just need to stay away from the very edges (ends) of the collars, so you don't nick the leader material. Other than that, just practice. I've caught a number of 35-40+ lb muskies on these leaders in Green Bay, and have never had a failure yet...knock on wood. Also, check on YouTube for videos on how to make/crimp aircraft control cables, as the technique is pretty much the same as I mentioned.
Good luck!
TB |
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Location: Contrarian Island | http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques/crimp_techniques.html |
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Posts: 841
Location: Southwest PA | I will back up everything that TB has just said (with the exception of catching fish on my own leaders as I have not made any yet), but I too crimp 7x7 s.s. cable in my work. Proper tool, proper crimp, proper method, never fails! I'm thinking about making my own leaders now too haha I'm confident they will work but still have not seemed to find the half hour to just take my scraps I've been collecting and turn em into leaders! Also, on 7x7s.s. cable in my work, I must use a single barrel crimps. The tool is positive action ratcheting and will not open until the correct lb is applied. These crimps withstand everything I've thrown at them in the field, but man was the tool pricey! I do have double barrel as well, along with the proper tool for those and after hearing others experience will elect to utilize those over the single barrel. Anyhow, good luck with your leader making bud and post some pics whenever you finish up. I would like to see how yours turn out! |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | Single strand-
Where and what kind of wire? The highest I can find on Rollie and Helens is .027 and I see most like .029
Try Moores Lutes and R&H should have the .029 wire
What tools do you guys use to the the bend and twists into the wire?
Double round or looping pliers
Also I see most guys use a solid ring at the end of the leader and have a split ring on all lures. So do you use a split ring pliers to put on and take off every lure?
Yes I do
Lastly, what size split ring and solid ring do you use and where can they be bought?
Moores Lures or Thorne Bros has solid rings and I attached a pic of the package. Split rings I use either sizes 5 or 7 depending on the size of the lures
Dont know if you saw this handout I used for the Cap City Muskie School
Attachments
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 Leader Article 1.pdf (111KB - 483 downloads)
solidrings.jpg (60KB - 447 downloads)
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