My Latest Attempt at Sword Rigging

[Fish Dad]

So it's been blowing all weekend so decided to make a bunch of new sword rigs for when (and if) a weather break matches up with a day off.

For the last several years I've been experiementing with various J hook setups. I've had some success with J hooks but sometimes the hook pulls. I'm now going to switch to big Circle Hooks. I've got 2 different ones for this experiment, a 16.0 VMC offset and an 18.0 Eagle Claw non-offset snelled to 300 lb mono.



Then you need something to keep the mantle from sliding down the hook. I've sewn it to the line using rigging floss as well as used a funnel shaped spring for ballyhoo rigs. I guess anything would work. This is just a piece of pool noodle with a couple of beads to hold it in place.



Next buy a 33 lb box of squid from Amory's in Hampton for $25. I was using the jumbo squid found in asian markets but with the size that comes from Amory's it's more common to the size squid found in our waters (match the hatch). Using food coloring, I soak it for a few hours in green, red, and purple. Keep some natural and this gives your 4 colors to try.



I made 16 rigs today.



With 300 lb mono if you cut the line at an angle, you can push it all the way through the squid straight out the mantle.





Vacuum sealed them individually and drop them in the freezer...I'm ready for when the wind stops blowing.



If the wind stops blowing I'll get out and give a report on these rigs.

[d-a]

Seems like you would have crimped the hook on and use the crimp for the stop on the noodle.

d-a

[DORADOsteve]

Those purple's look great

[seaclusion]

put the hook thru the head and you wont have to sew it on. They will knock the head off and follow it leaving the rest alone

[Fish Dad]

Originally Posted by d-a

Seems like you would have crimped the hook on and use the crimp for the stop on the noodle.

d-a

Then you lose all the advantages of having a snelled hook.

[novomarine]

Nice job Fish Daddy... most of us down here use J hooks, and a cell phone to get rigged squids........ we use the phone to call DL no mess no work.....

[d-a]

Originally Posted by Fish Dad

Then you lose all the advantages of having a snelled hook.

I guess I don't know about the advantages of a snelled hook especially with 300lb mono.

d-a

[Fish Dad]

Originally Posted by d-a

I guess I don't know about the advantages of a snelled hook especially with 300lb mono.

d-a

Generally a snelled hook gives you a better hookup ratio. I am taking a leap of faith that the same advantages apply to 300 lb mono too. Here is an explanation from a guy down under plus this is the type snell I used since I find it hard to snell 300 lb mono using the traditional snell method.

YouTube - How To Tie A Snell Knot To A Fishing Hook

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!!! I think you did and awesome! job cappy...The purple, one did come out shweet!! for sure. Put his ass..down on a moonless night about 250 with a purple Lp and hold on..


DL,

[Fish Dad]

Originally Posted by Disco Lady

COÑO!!!!! I think you did and awesome! job cappy...The purple, one did come out shweet!! for sure. Put his ass..down on a moonless night about 250 with a purple Lp and hold on..


DL,

Thanks DL. Wish there was a low cost way to get your baits up here in Virginia.

[Disco Lady]

I will find out.

Thanks
DL,

[Fish Dad]

Originally Posted by Disco Lady

I will find out.

Thanks
DL,

I would think your best option is to find a distributor for you, then do a bulk shipment to the distributor. I do buy baitmasters ballyhoo from Alltackle.com. While they are in Annapolis, MD, for me they are inside the UPS 1 day ground shipping zone. UPS ground is very economical. They put it in a smaller cooler with ice packs and it's still frozen solid when I receive it the next day. Of course there just are not as many sword hunters up here due to the distance to the shelf.

[Disco Lady]

Thanks for the Info: Fish Dad.

DL,

[Hydrofeen2]

Lookn good man. Dont be scared to leave a long tag on that snell and put the circle up top and crimp a J hook in the head. Those big gummy bears arent picky when it comes to hooks. keep it up its a changing process. one day you catch five or six and think you got it all figured out and the next day you'll miss ten and start all over. LOck it up and let um hang!!!!!!!!!!!!