Thread: Thinking about making my own rigs

Ive been thinking about trying to make my own live bait/king rigs and bubble rigs. It looks like you can do it cheaper than buying them. I was looking at the Offshore Angler Bass Pro Shops leader wire or AFW Surfstrand leader wire. Which is better?
I was going to put #4 4x treble hooks on both rigs.
What size mono should I use on the bubble rigs?
Is it easier to tie a haywire twist knot than it is to crimp?

Once you get accustomed to a haywire twist it is a snap and pretty clean. Sevenstrand is easy to tie into a figure 8 knot, but not as clean looking to me. If I use seven strand (not often except on trolled lures) I add a crimp on the tag, which takes considerably longer - most people would not agree that it is necessary, but it looks too visible to me otherwise. I do not trust hand crimped 7 strand to hold without the figure 8 knot.

If you use single strand be prepared to change them out more often - they kink when fish are caught much more than 7 strand.

For bubbles I use 50 lb generally. If I am getting fish flashing at the lure but not taking it I may go down to 40 lb.

so AFW 1x7 would be better than the single strand OffShore Angler? Keep in mind I only saltwater fish on the pier or surf fish maybe once every 2 or 3 years. I dont get down there as much as Id like to.

Originally Posted by dawgfaninbama

so AFW 1x7 would be better than the single strand OffShore Angler? Keep in mind I only saltwater fish on the pier or surf fish maybe once every 2 or 3 years. I dont get down there as much as Id like to.

Better is a matter of personal preference, I was giving you what I see as the plusses and minuses.

Crimping is easy, but i do not trust it without a bench crimper - I have had hand crimps fail too often. A figure 8 knot in sevenstrand is easy and holds well, but i personally do not like the appearance - the knot is bulky and very visible. A haywire twist is easy to me and that is what I use for kings, but single strand does kink which means more frequent changes to get a fresh leader.

Everything has a tradeoff. For me the only absolute up there is that I do not trust a hand crimp, period.

Definitely go with 50# mono for your bubble rigs and keep an eye on the leader for nicks. I usually make my leader a little longer so when the fish hit and nick the leader, I simply cut off a few inches and re-tie without replacing the whole length. Keep in mind, there's a difference in quality of the bubbles. I've found those from J&M hold up much better than Walmarts. Some will even put a bead of glue or electrical tape, for extra strength, around the bubbles seam. This seems to be where the bubbles always come apart. Good fishing...

Never have had my hand crimps fail,...ever...my preference is seven strand, and sleeve crimp everything......as stated above personal preference

Originally Posted by ironman172

Never have had my hand crimps fail,...ever...my preference is seven strand, and sleeve crimp everything......as stated above personal preference

Maybe I need to try a new crimper.

Do you know what brand yours is or can you post a pic?

AFW 7 strand with overhand knots is how I make my king leaders. More confident in knots than crimping the smaller sized wires I use (30# and smaller).

I use the single strand offshore angler with a haywire twist, never had one fail, but as stated they do tend to kink when you get an overactive fish twisting it around, but i take the trade off and just make extras, +1 to what fshntime said about making bubble leaders extra long for retying, and i put some superglue on the seam of the bubble, another trick i do is make a short leader thru the bubble with a couple inches on either side, one end gets a barrel swivel, the other gets a snap swivel, then i make my tube leaders with a barrel swivel on the opposite end from the tube and hook, that way if the bite is hot and i do get bit off all i have to do is unsnap the lost tube line and snap on a new tube, keeps you in the action more

Originally Posted by frednic

Maybe I need to try a new crimper.

Do you know what brand yours is or can you post a pic?

I just use pliers and squeeze the heck out of the little sleeves.....not sure they would even make sleeve pliers that small.....the offshore guys had special sleeve pliers (big).....basically the same we did with the door cable sleeves with sledge hammer flattening the sleeve and they held up to the spring tension.....I have never had a failure yet.....knock on wood
I am loosing some of my grip ,so use 2 hands now.