Proper crimping techniques

[Brandon Khoo]

In the past couple of years, I've seen enough failures on crimps to note that people are making some basic mistakes in using these. I use crimps extensively these days and touch wood, I won't have a failure on a really big fish!

Personally, I prefer not to use crimps as I trust knots more but crimps provide a level of convenience and a slim attachment that cannot be achieved with knots.

The attached article goes through some of the basic fundamentals and is very useful.

http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques/crimp_techniques.html

[Rob Ciotucha]

Please dont talk about crimps brandon  i wont be falling down that trap again, will have to rethink my plan of attack.

Cheers
Rob

[Greg Burt]

Nothing wrong with crimps Rob, tell us what happened


PS:Only 10 months to go

[Brandon Khoo]

Rob lost what was possibly the only big GT he hooked on the trip due to a crimp failure. It cost him what was undoubtedly a very good fish, not to mention a brand new Orion Bigfoot - which was still on credit! 

[Rob Ciotucha]

I had  a twisted leader crimped onto a 300lb bite leader, the twisted part pulled out under a heap of pressure. I did test these at home before i left so i am stunned at what happened.

Cheers
Rob

[Stephen Polzin]

Simple is best.  Crimps are just asking for trouble I reckon.  Same with using lighters near line (on those fancy knots and complicated leader setups).  Just crazy. 

[Rob Ciotucha]

Simple is best.   

Yes and thats what ill probably be doing from now on.

Rob

[Brandon Khoo]

I haven't had a problem with a crimp and it's necessary if you want a very slim connection to a heavy single strand bite leader.
I also haven't had a problem with those fancy knots for a single strand leader. These do have their place, particularly in very clear water and they do cast better, especially if you prefer a longer leader.

Twisted  leaders are not foolproof. You have to ensure you get the braid to bite properly around the twisted leader but given enough time, the braid will wear through the loop. I change my twisties at the end of every day if the GTs have been biting. It's the little things that matter - take care of your knots and connections and they'll take care of you.

[Stephen Polzin]

yeah different strokes for different folks.

The main thing is to use a setup you have confidence in, otherwise your fishing will suffer.  Nothing worse than being hooked to a good fish and not giving it 100% because you're afraid a connection will fail. 

[Greg Burt]

I have only had one issue with crimps and that was 6-8 years ago on 80 FC live bait rigs for Sails and small Blacks, the FC seemed to splinter at the crimp and I only found this out with lost fish. Changed to Fig8 brass crimps and never had a problem since, it was not an issue with mono. I crimp my 100lb twisted leaders to 300lb mono or 200lb FC bite leader by using two fig 8 crimps about 50-60mm apart, putting the two twisted strands through one side and the bite leader through the other side of the crimp, I have used the 800mm FC ones for jigging with no problems  .
 I stuffed up at Marion on the 1st night jigging at the back of the boat with Rob, he had a couple of small Doggies and I Jigged up a very small Barracuda  , I then loaded up on a nice Doggie only to lose it to a sheared assist cord  , in the excitement silly me didn't check the cord after the little sharped toothed Barracuda  .

Cam's 30+kg Big Barracuda with sharp teeth

[Brandon Khoo]

I think Stephen has summed it up pretty well. This is about the most important principle in any form of fishing, epsecially when you're fishing on the extreme end like we do.

yeah different strokes for different folks.

The main thing is to use a setup you have confidence in, otherwise your fishing will suffer.  Nothing worse than being hooked to a good fish and not giving it 100% because you're afraid a connection will fail. 

[Mark Stotesbury]

Greg post a pic of your set up for making the leaders please quite keen to see the finished product
thanks mark

[Glenn Travis]

Just touching back on this subject. I had a crimp failure the other day on a solid fish, where the leader had pulled through the crimp.
A suggestion was made that i could of over crimped the crimp. could of this been a possibility?
This has been my first failure, but has put some doubt in the back of my mind.
I would like to know from other people who tie their leader onto the swivel, what knot they are using??

Cheers
          Glenn

[Rob Langridge]

G`Day Glenn

Over crimping is a big possibility if your not using the correct crimp sleeve in the correct crimp hole on your crimping tool.
Most crimping tools have three holes the first being the one close to your hand is for 40lb-120lb the second 150lb and the third 200lb-500lb.
Always leave a flared entry and exit on the crimp.

Cheers Rob 

[Jamie Moir]

Speaking of same, anyone using grommets with their crimps? I see a few brands with these now.