Thread: 7 Strand vs. solid wire leader & how to tie

After only 2 years of vacationing in Gulf Shores and finding the pier...I am hooked on it. I want to learn how to tie my own king/spanish leaders and bought 30# AFW & Berkely 7 strand wire. I "practiced" so to speak.. trying to tie hooks and swivels using a haywire twist.
I'm not having much success. Should I have bought solid wire? In some of my reading, I found out that a special tool can be used to tie the twist. Do most of the locals manually tie the twist or do they use a special tool for it?

I also ordered some sleeves (#1 size) and a crimper. The smallest size on the crimper is still to large for the sleeve. I probably need to buy a smaller crimper. I imagine its a matter of personal preference....but what are the advantages/disadvantages of twisting vs. crimping? My guess is that twisting is probably the better alternative for on-the-fly rigging and is cheaper. Assuming a good tie or a good crimp....is either one stronger than the other?

Thank you for your help.

Tried a figure 8?
Haywire is for single strand.
Be careful pulling it tight - one slip and you have a very sharp hook buried in your finger.

The pier gurus said to use a simple overhand knot with the 7 strand so that's what I use.

The Haywire is the usual knot for solid wire.

True dat!
No need for sleeves or crimps.
Just tie a double bow-knot in the Sevenstrand and go fishing!

+1 on the haywire for singlestrand wire.
On lighter rigs for spanish mackerel it can be joined directly to the line via an Albright or such kinda knot.

Originally Posted by Weagle

The pier gurus said to use a simple overhand knot with the 7 strand so that's what I use.

The Haywire is the usual knot for solid wire.

i just tie a simple overhand knot on king leaders also. its what john g told me to do when i got started.

Thank you all. Should save me some time...and $$$$.

Good luck. Can you cancel the order on the sleeves and crimper?

Don't have to give 'em up. I use sleeves on sevenstrand. It creates a stronger bond that allows a bit freer movement of the bait due to the loop. Tag end isn't cut and exposed to hang other lines. Granted, it costs more and takes unnecessary time. Extra strength doesn't matter with 14# test line or 16# test line. But when you have months to make leaders and think of catching fish, a little more time isn't a bad thing. I especially like them on artificial baits.

Rich1 , what size sleeve and crimper do you use ? I like the idea for artificials . Thanks

I use the American Fishing Wire brand of sleeves. Their website gives you the recommended sleeves per wire size and a diagram for how to use them. Got a whole bunch of 18# Sevenstrand when it was on sale at Overstock Bait. It works great with the 0 or 0L sleeves. (The "L" stands for long). 30# AFW seven stranded wire works with the size 1 sleeves. I got a cheap pair of needle nose pliers that had a crimp tool built in. I can't tell you what size it is, but you need one that will just about close up completely for it to work on the small sleeves. I get the sleeves from Amazon, BTW, or did. Bought 1000 a while back marked down for $4 and change. Probably a lifetime supply for me.

Again, the figure eight and granny knots work fine, but the sleeves give you an easy way to leave a loop for the baits, jigs, and gotcha's to work a little more freely. Seems like Pier#r had a way of tying a knot that left a loop in the wire, too.