Frustrated Newb Musky/Pike Leader Maker

[bobber_down_1979]

So I recently decided to go to Thorne Bros. for advice and guidence on building Musky/Big Pike leaders. Through doing some additinal research online to further improve my skills I found out that there advice really was not very good at all. The biggest problem is they sold me a crimper that is for wire crimps and told me that it would work for double barrel sleeves on floro too. Turns out that this style pinches in the middle of the barrel instead of compressing the barrel like is needed. A guy in the store went so far as to show me how to do it the wrong way on some materials I had just purchased. Not only that, but they never even suggested any other way to do it besides single sleeve crimping for steel. Don't get me wrong, it is my fault for not doing enough checking first, but they are supposed to be the experts. If you don't know just don't say anything. I now have about 50 dollars invested into leaders and rigs I don't trust. Thanks for the help Thorne Bros.

That all being said, would you trust a steel musky leader if it was double crimped? That is to say, having two sleeves. The rigs I am makeing are not that conducive to tying the leaders.

[Shawn Kellett]

So they told you to use single barrel sleeves? I got all of my stuff there years ago and have had no issues. My crimper will work on both single and double barrel sleeves. If you can post a pic of the crimper they sold you and I may be able to help get you on the right track. You can also email me @ [email protected].

[50inchpig]

the novice leader maker might also consider going with straight wire leaders which are dirt cheap to make and only take a few seconds to twist up. 95% of my baits work fine with straight wire and it's much less likely to fail to a hand crimped job.

i've never seen a double crimp on a wire leader, defintely use single sleeves for that.

[RK]

Hiya -

I learned what I know about making fluoro leaders from a couple saltwater guides who catch giant tuna and stuff on them, so I'm pretty confident in my opinions...

To me, if you are making fluoro leaders, you MUST use a cup to cup crimping tool. A point to cup crimper (which it sounds like you have) crushes the sleeve down on the material, which you don't want. A cup to cup crimper compresses the sleeve around the material uniformly, holding the material inside the sleeve without damaging it. That's what you want. When you do it right, the ends of the crimps should be flared out like the bell on a trumpet.

You SHOULD use either oval or double barrel sleeves. Oval or double barrel sleeves make it a lot easier to keep the material's main line and tag end from crossing over each other in the sleeve when you crimp things down. Crossing is bad.

I also much prefer aluminum sleeves to copper or brass. They are less likely to get rough edges, and are easier to work with overall I think. Copper's fine for wire leaders though.

For 130# fluoro you need a 1.3mm sleeve, although with some brands of fluro a 1mm will work too. You can get them, and a cup to cup crimping tool, from any number of saltwater tackle sources, and Thornes may carry them too. They'll run you about $30.

I think the right crimping tool and right sleeves will solve 99% of your frustration...

Just my $.02.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[brad coin]

I'll pass on what works perfect for me,,Ive used the same fluro leader for 3-4 years and have been doing this for about 7 years and I snag the bottom alot,,,which means ripping on it

I just use a double surgeons loop/knot on both ends to attach the snap,, and on the other end to the swivel or "O" ring,, has not broke or slipped yet,, if you have a tube on hand cover the knot in super glue if you want,, this is the same knot/loop that fly fisherman for years have used for attaching leaders to flyline or add tippet sections with the loop to loop connection. the surgeons loop will allow you to replace the snap when needed if you use a stringease style snap,,, if you have a coil of fluro it works try one theres nothing to buy!!!

another thing to try also is Rollie and Helens sells hard mono in 30 ft coils in the 100-130 lb range for around $3-$4 that works just great has an alternative for expensive fluro