Rigging it Right Presented by Ron Barwick Service Manager for Half Hitch ron@halfhitch.com Hosted by: Bob Fowler bob.fowler@marinemax.com (850) 708-1317 marinemax.com www.halfhitch.com 1
The Uni-Knot Strong, reliable, and easy to tie, the Uni-Knot is an excellent knot for securing line to terminal tackle. It's also the foundation of the entire Uni-Knot system. Note that the Uni-Knot can be left as a loop or tightened down so it's snug to the hook eye (see Steps 4 and 5). 1) Run at least six inches of line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure, and fold to make two parallel lines. Bring the tag end of the line back in a circle toward the hook or lure. 2) Make six turns with the tag end around the double line and through the circle. 3) Hold the double line at the point where it passes through the eye, and pull the tag end to snug up the turns. 4) To create a loop connection: Adjust the loop size by sliding the knot up or down the standing line. Then pull the tag end with pliers to maximize tightness. 5) To create a snug knot: Pull the standing line to slide the knot up against the eye. Then continue pulling until the knot is tight. 6) Trim the tag end flush with the closest coil on the knot. 2
The Uni to Uni Knot or Double Uni Knot used to attach two lines together. Overlap the lines to be joined and encircle one line with the tag end of the other. Wrap the double strand inside the loop formed Five wraps for mono and seven wraps for braided lines Close the knot, but not too tightly, the repeat the process with the other line. The two knots are formed, one in each line, around each other. Slide the knots together, tighten each in turn, and trim the tag ends. 3
The Snell Knot Using the Uni-Knot to Snell a Hook Provides a strong connection when fishing with bait and using a separate length of leader. This is the best way to tie on a circle hook. 1) Thread six inches of line through the eye of the hook. 2) Hold the line against the hook's shank, and form a Uni-Knot circle. 3) Make five to seven turns through the loop and around the standing line and hook's shank. 4) Tighten by pulling the standing line in one direction and the tag end in the other. 4
Spider Hitch Knot The Spider hitch is an excellent knot for quickly forming a double line. Used when joining a small diameter mono or braid to a larger leader. 1) Double over the line and form a reverse loop. 2) Hold the reverse loop between thumb and forefinger. 3) Wrap the doubled line around the thumb and the reversed loop five times (10 times if using braid). Then pass the end of the double line through the reverse loop. Slowly pull on the double line allowing the loops to unwind off the thumb. 4) Moisten with saliva and pull evenly on all four ends to tighten. 5
Double Surgeon's Knot Use to join running line, either mono or braid, to leader Clip off section of tippet material and lay next to end of your leader with two strands overlapping by 4" to 6". Tie an overhand knot in this doubled section by forming a loop and bringing end of leader and entire end of tippet through the loop together. Keep loop open. Double the overhand knot in this doubled section by bringing the same double strand through the loop once more. Lubricate and tighten by holding all four ends and pulling steadily. Trim tag ends close to knot. 6
Double Surgeon's Loop The Double Surgeon's Loop is a quick, easy way to tie a loop in the end of a leader. It is often used as part of a leader system because it is relatively strong. Step 1: Form a loop in the end of line. Step 2: Make a simple overhand knot in the double line Step 3: Then bring the loop end through the overhand knot again. Lubricate and tighten by pulling on the loop end with one hand and the standing leader and tag end in the other. Step 4: Trim the excess line. 7
Rapala Loop Knot The Rapala Loop Knot is a non-slip loop knot intended to be tied directly to the lure. It is recommended for use on lures that do not have a split ring attached to the tie-in eye of the lure. A loop allows the lured to move freely and naturally. 8
Haywire Twist Step1: Pass the wire through the eye of the hook and fold back six inches of wire, making sure not to kink it where it starts to bend. Lay the tag end over the standing wire and firmly hold the crossing point of the wires between your thumb and index finger. Step 2: Begin a series of haywire twists. First make sure the tag end and standing wire are nearly parallel to each other, yet slightly and evenly spread apart. Next, simultaneously twist the wire tag and standing wire while firmly holding the point where the two strands initially intersect. As the twists progress, slide your fingers closer to the wraps and continue the pressure. A tight grip close to the twists makes it easier to twist the wire, helps keep it straight and prevents kinking. 9
Step 3: After about a half-dozen twists, begin a series of barrel wraps by first bending the tag end of the wire at a 90-degree angle to the twists. Then, make a series of tight wraps against the twists. Step 4: After making four or five barrel wraps, form a "crank handle" in the wire tag by bending an inch or so of its tip at a 90-degree angle to the main loop in the wire. Work the wire tag back and forth between the main loop in the leader and the standing wire. After a few series of half-rotations, the wire tag will break free at the base of the barrel wrap, leaving a smooth finish. 10
Finished haywiretwist product There are a number of tools available to make the haywire twist easier. DuBro makes a tool that is easy to use and saves your fingers. Finally if you're really serious about tying a lot of rigs, consider purchasing the speedy Mac Twist electric twister. If this sounds like too much work, or you are digitally challenged, don't panic. There is an easier way, buy pre-tied rigs. You can also use braided wire. Braided wire is a lot more flexible and comes in several colors, you can use sleeves and crimp your rig together.. 11
Using the Du-bro Twister 1) Hold pointed end of the E/Z Twist tight with your left hand and turn hex end clockwise with the right hand to the closed position. Illustrated in Fig. 1. (Note: Leave tool in closed position until step 5). 2) Insert wire through slot in hex end and push wire through tool. Illustrated in Fig. 3. Form loop and insert tag end of wire through opposite hole in the pointed end of the E/Z Twist, leaving approx. 3 of wire beyond the tool. 3) Hold desired size of loop in left hand and form twists by rotating E/Z Twist 6 twists clockwise with right hand. Illustrated in Fig. 4. (Note: For tighter twists, apply slight inward pressure with both hands while forming twists.) 4) Remove tag end of wire from E/Z Twist by pulling loop. Bend tag end of wire down 90 degrees and reposition in tool as shown in Fig. 5. 5) To form barrel wraps on bottom of twists, hold loop with left hand and rotate E/Z Twist 3 to 6 full turns clockwise with right hand. Illustrated in Fig. 5. Remove wire from tool by rotating hex end counter-clockwise to the open position. 6) Bend tag end of wire to form a crank. With fingers, hold tight at barrel wrap. With crank facing away from you, rotate clockwise until wire breaks. (Note: Keep crank close to wire when rotating.) 12
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