Tying leaders

[macminn]

Okay, another question. I'd like to tie my own snells, interchangeable spinners, different colored beads, etc.

What lb test line, maybe even brand do you recommend for these? Looking for live bait rigs mostly for mille lacs. Mostly leech, but will make some crawler harnesses for other lakes.

[SteveWilson]

I've been using 6lb and 8lb test line mostly with a few tied with florocarbon and a couple with thin knotable wire leader material (good if pike are a problem). When I'm siting in front of the TV I'll snell a bunch of hooks on leaders (single and double hook) and then store them without any hardware. Then as the need arises I'll add the hardware and tie the perfection loop.

[Northlander]

I tie all my spinner rigs with 10# or 12# Trilene XT or the new Gamma Floro line. Both are great and handle abrasion well. In really dark waters I may even tie spinner rigs with Power Pro or fireline but it usually doesnt do me any better unless Im dragging threw a lot of weeds.

I tie all of the spinner rigs with quick exchange clevis's and just pop off the blades and change them out. I use to tie them as I went but beeds all over the boat aint fun especially in the waves. Now I have about 40 different spinner rigs tied up and in the box so when one breaks or cuts bit off I just pop a new one on. Much quicker, cleaner and easier than tieing as I went.

For live bait snells I use the Gamma line in 4-8#. The Gamma seems very strong for # test.

[Borch]

I tie my spinners with 12-14 lbs trilene XT or Stren Big Game. I use but the exchanger clevis and the folded metal ones. The folded metal clevis seem to work better at slower speeds, especially with smaller spinners. The exchange clevis's are great for their flexibility in changing spinner colors. I usually use 3-6 ft spinner snells. Hook size ranges from #4-#2 in single hook rigs. In crawler harness's I'll use #6 on trailing hooks.

My live bait rigs I use 6# flourocarbon in 4-10 ft lengths. I usually add a colored beads. Hook size is #8 or #6 for leeches or crawlers and #4-#1 for minnowes depending on size.

[macminn]

Thanks to all for these great answers. I'm ready to start tying. It sounds to me like live bait rigs usually go with lighter lines, spinner rigs, heavier.

I have a friend that ties his own but uses a swivel on the end he attaches to the line. On his rod, he then has a barrel swivel. I've always been of the opinion that the less "hardware" you can put on your line the better. Sure he can change his rigs/lures alot easier. He does put fish in the boat, but I'm wondering if he'd be getting more without that stuff.

He even puts jigs on the swivel. That I have never seen before.

[SteveWilson]

well a spinner will induce a fair amount of line twist so I use a swivel at the end. Often time I Lindy Rig or use a removeable weight system so it's line, weight (or weight snap holder), bead, Ball Bearing/Cross Lock snap/swivel. Then the leader is attached to the snap. For times when the fish are hardware/line shy I go with a longer leader. So, when I tie up spinning rigs I go with longer leader material on the thinner line. On my trolling rods I terminate in a Ball Bearing / Cross Lock snap/swivel, then attach the leader/spinner (no weight as that's what downriggers are for), unless I'm trolling cranks then I run my line to a ball bearing swivel and then run 6-10' of line (6-10lb test, sometimes floro) back to a Duo Lock snap (works well with crank baits).

[macminn]

Steve,

Thanks for the reply. Are you attaching your cranks right to the Duo Lock Snap? Again, pardon my ignorance, kind of new at some of this, is that snap a brand name or are you just talking generically?

[SteveWilson]

Quote:

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Steve,

Thanks for the reply. Are you attaching your cranks right to the Duo Lock Snap? Again, pardon my ignorance, kind of new at some of this, is that snap a brand name or are you just talking generically?

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It's probably a brand but it's a type of snap that works fairly well with crank baits. Tying them directly is probably better but I like the quick change feature of a snap and the duo lock doesn't interfere with the motion of the crank bait as much as other snaps do. You should decide for yourself though. Take some time and rig things up differently and see how your rig moves through the water. My wife and I try to set aside a half hour of every trip and try different techniques, just part of the learning process.