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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Mike_Tan on February 15, 2011, 08:02:03 PM

Title: Split Rings
Post by: Mike_Tan on February 15, 2011, 08:02:03 PM
Bought a few packs of Varivas Power Ring in 200lb test yesterday and they were badly deformed when I tried to put a Decoy Pike 5/O into it :o Back in 2001/2002, I never had a Varivas open up on me even when I pushed great big Decoy trebles into it!! What is happening to the quality of Varivas split ring that I liked so much?! Are there any decent split rings out there that will return to its original form after you put a hook into it? Also tried Owner Hyper Wire in 220lb and they seem to deform a little but not as bad as the current Varivas rings :-\
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Mark Harris on February 15, 2011, 08:11:42 PM
Mike, at times I have had some problems with just about all split rings when putting them onto big trebles like a ST76 5/0 or Gamakatsu Recorder. Patience and gently goes it is definitely the way, but I am sure you know that.

I think the most likely to keep its 'spring' and shape is the Decoy split. I usually use the #9 and #10 (200 and 250 lbs). Owner hyper wire in #10 and #11 (220 and 250 lbs) are cheaper, but almost as good alternatives.  Varivas I cannot say as I have never used them.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Kurt de Villiers on February 15, 2011, 10:05:19 PM

(http://s2.postimage.org/1oe6pd5wk/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/1oe6pd5wk/)


interesting post people, had this little experience in the weekend, compliments of the gt's off point lookout.
Brand new Varivas Power Ring 300lb - left gaping! The pic does a bit a justice, but the gap between the turns was open enough that i could get that ST76 out, no probs!
still landed the fish, so i'm not complaining.
ta

Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Mark Harris on February 15, 2011, 10:12:50 PM
Wow.... very good job getting the fish home with that sort of failure Kurt.

And crush down those barbs! :)
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Aaron Concord on February 15, 2011, 10:16:29 PM
Krutch,

That is one sick looking split ring mate!
I guess that is the popper that got Shane's fish.

Mark,

I watched a client out in the Coral Sea deform a pack of #11 Hyperwire rings due to his apparent need to rig fast.  The Owner split ring pliers he used are my favourite as long as you take it slow and gentle, as you said!

Aaron.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Mark Harris on February 16, 2011, 09:40:06 PM
Yeah patience is the key Aaron. First thing I do when with a deckie I do not know, is watch his first split ring opening. That determines whether he gets another chance with the pliers :).

Out of interest, Ten Mouth/NT do a 256 lb split ring which will be fantastic quality if their swivels are anything to go by.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on February 16, 2011, 09:43:20 PM

(http://s2.postimage.org/1oe6pd5wk/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/1oe6pd5wk/)


interesting post people, had this little experience in the weekend, compliments of the gt's off point lookout.
Brand new Varivas Power Ring 300lb - left gaping! The pic does a bit a justice, but the gap between the turns was open enough that i could get that ST76 out, no probs!
still landed the fish, so i'm not complaining.
ta

Looks down-right defective! Wow!

Never had a prob with Varivas rings... Decoy are excellent...
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Kurt de Villiers on February 16, 2011, 10:40:02 PM
yeah, i've never had a glitch or prob with either decoy or varivas split rings, so i'm just gonna put this one down to 'beginner inexperience/no respect for other peoples gear/go hard or go shopping wit ya missus!
Btw, i wasn't the angler
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Jay Burgess on February 17, 2011, 12:43:20 PM
I tried Decoy for a while but found they deform a little easier than the owners so I switched back. Mainly use #10 and #11 and now avoid the #11H as the gauge is just too thick and they're frustrating to get on at times without deforming the ring.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Brandon Khoo on February 17, 2011, 02:42:59 PM
Does anyone know whether the Decoys and Owners are coming out from the same factory? They sure look very similar
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: AustralianAngling on February 17, 2011, 02:57:06 PM
That's why these days I usually use the BOUZ rings they open much easier and due to design have a high strength rating.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: AustralianAngling on February 17, 2011, 03:02:43 PM
Bought a few packs of Varivas Power Ring in 200lb test yesterday and they were badly deformed when I tried to put a Decoy Pike 5/O into it :o Back in 2001/2002, I never had a Varivas open up on me even when I pushed great big Decoy trebles into it!! What is happening to the quality of Varivas split ring that I liked so much?! Are there any decent split rings out there that will return to its original form after you put a hook into it? Also tried Owner Hyper Wire in 220lb and they seem to deform a little but not as bad as the current Varivas rings :-\

Just out of interest where did you get the rings from ? Australia or overseas and also where did you get rings from in 2001 / 2002 this will help in check what stock it would be.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Mark Harris on February 17, 2011, 03:14:46 PM
Those Bouz rings seem almost too good to be true :).
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Mike_Tan on February 17, 2011, 03:35:09 PM
Hello there, I got my Varivas from PLAT in Japan during the 01/02 period and the current batch that deformed was from Singapore. However, I think the chap who had a 300lb Varivas Power Ring open on him probably got his elsewhere. I suspect a different company is making the Power Rings for Varivas now.

Like Mr. Harris said, the Bouz is too good to be true!!

Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: AustralianAngling on February 17, 2011, 03:51:22 PM
Hello there, I got my Varivas from PLAT in Japan during the 01/02 period and the current batch that deformed was from Singapore. However, I think the chap who had a 300lb Varivas Power Ring open on him probably got his elsewhere. I suspect a different company is making the Power Rings for Varivas now.

Like Mr. Harris said, the Bouz is too good to be true!!

I will check with Japan but no change to my knowledge in manufacture.
It is easy to deform any of those rings with the size of some of the large hook eyes, that is why some version's have the faced sides on the eye so you do not need to stretch ring some much.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Chuen Fan on February 17, 2011, 03:55:19 PM
Those Bouz rings seem almost too good to be true :).

You know that old saying, "if its too good to be true, it probably is!"

They are easy to get on but an absolute pr!ck to get off! I'd rather deform a pack of normal rings than spend the time trying to remove them! Maybe I'm using them the wrong way, but I stay well away from them now.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: AustralianAngling on February 17, 2011, 04:03:18 PM
Those Bouz rings seem almost too good to be true :).

You know that old saying, "if its too good to be true, it probably is!"

They are easy to get on but an absolute pr!ck to get off! I'd rather deform a pack of normal rings than spend the time trying to remove them! Maybe I'm using them the wrong way, but I stay well away from them now.

Obviously using them the wrong way
When all else fails as they say follow the instructions.
http://www.bouz.net/products/bouzring/usage.html#fit (http://www.bouz.net/products/bouzring/usage.html#fit)

Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Jon Li on February 17, 2011, 04:11:26 PM
In my opinion , Owner Hyperwire splitrings are still the best and for installing the rings onto thick gauge hooks ,  the right plier is needed for these splitrings , up till today my favourite is still the Duel plier , would be perfect if they make it in stainless steel !  :'(

Jon .
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Peter Morris on February 17, 2011, 05:11:39 PM
Decoys are my favourite but I do use owners on occasions also.

Pete
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Brandon Khoo on February 17, 2011, 06:06:48 PM
I sue pretty much all the main brands of split rings, including the Bouz but I really struggle to get them off.
Title: Re: Split Rings
Post by: Mike_Tan on February 17, 2011, 07:29:40 PM
I still have some old 200lb Varivas power rings lying around and these I can put hooks much heavier in wire gauge than the decoy pike 5/O into and they won't deform. Pretty sure the material is different! Oh I'm using the duel gt plier too so it's not due to the plier.

I did toy with owner and it seems the 220lb or #10 deforms the least because I also tried #11/11H and they seem to have a larger gap between the wires after I put hooks into them.

I tried decoy rings too and they weren't much better than the current Varivas. I guess owner is now the best there is for heavy gauge hooks? Back in 01 owner rings got ripped off my poppers in Indonesia and I've been skeptical about them ever since.