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Posts: 337
Location: Central WI | I'm thinking about making my own wire leaders and was wondering where you guys buy your ball bearing swivels, split rings, etc. Looks like Bucher/Wolverine split rings seem to be a favorite. Any places sell them in bulk? How about ball bearing swivels?
I was looking at getting some #12 piano wire. I was searching older posts and it looks like it's rated at 174#'s.
Anyhow, figured I'd check in and see if anyone has some pointers. Thanks. |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | Email me at [email protected] and I will email you a pdf format two page color picture/written instruction on how to bend your own wire leaders (bucktail loops as well). |
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Posts: 2024
| For single strand leaders I like the American Fishing Wire material in 174# as you found in your search. You can try getting supplies from Moores (though Dick is currently on vacation) or possibly Stamina, but Aaron at Musky Tackle Online has good prices on 50 counts of Bucher split rings (#7s and 5s) and String-Ease snaps (my preference). I didn't see swivels last time I looked, but could have missed it (have missed other things on his site... lol), but he's very accommodating and I'm sure if he's got a source he'll do his best to get you what you want. I'd drop Aaron an email and find out. |
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Posts: 225
Location: Nordeast Minneapolis | The last time I was at Gander Mountain, I scanned through their discount bin... found some packages of some really nice heavy duty split rings (can't remember the brand) that normally sold for about $20, selling for about 50 cents (they had been marked down to $2, then 75% off). I stocked up. They also had some deals on ball bearing swivels, etc. If there's a shop nearby that might have a clearance rack, I'd suggest doing a little digging... worked for me! |
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Posts: 159
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Tried that at Gander in Wausau last week and found nothing for making leaders, but they were in the middle of moving all their muskie stuff closer to the front door. I'm glad i no longer have to walk all the way to the back of the store! |
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Posts: 82
Location: Central WI | PM Sent |
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | I use the same wire that I use to tie my bucktails for a shaft for most of my leaders. I bend the wire with a quality ball bearing swivel on one end and a stay lok snap on the other end. I have also played around with just a split ring on the end instead of a stay lok snap and using the split ring in place of a snap. I don't use split rings unless I am actually using the ring to attach the lure.
I buy my wire from either Stamina or Moore's. Split rings and snaps come from Musky Tackle Online. And I keep trying different ball bearing swivels until I find some that I really like and aren't $2.00 a piece.
Edited by brmusky 2/2/2009 8:13 PM
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Posts: 337
Location: Central WI | Thank you guys for the replys and pm's. I'll get back to you guys as soon as I can. Looks like I've got a good idea of supplies minus the ball bearing swivels. I'll check out those websites too.
I was thinking of using slpit rings instead of snaps to attach the baits to the leader. |
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Posts: 4266
| Not surprisingly, I do things a little different. I make my leaders with a loop on the connecting end and a barrel swivel on one end for gliders and twitch baits....etc., for ball bearing swivels, that is where I spend the extra money. Good swivels will last forever. Make sure and get welded rings.
I have been making loops for my bucktails, buzzbaits and leaders the same way since the 70's. I form a loop by wrapping it around a nail shank and then hold it with a vise-grips and twist it with my fingers and cut off the excess. None of my connections has ever failed. Every lure that I have has a split ring on it, and I attach the loop of the leader to the split ring. I even put split rings in the eyes of my bucktails. I've had 2 snaps fail on me, but never a split ring. It's just as easy to attach to a split ring as it is to use a snap. I'll twist up a bunch of leaders at the beginning of the season, and keep the left-overs from 2 coils in my boat so I can make leaders if I need them or make them for people in my boat or in my camp. Takes about 2 minutes to make one. Thinner wire for twitch baits and lighter lures, thicker wire for gliders, jerks and other big lures. |
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