tow point : lures & flies

nagz · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:29 pm Post subject: tow point

G'day folks,
Just been doing some hardware upgrades on a few new lures and i got to thinkin, then i got to experimentin the advantages and disadvantages of a quality split ring upgrade on the tow point of a lure. First of all i tied some leader to a post nice and tight, then tied the leader to the lure as per normal. After that i shook, pulled and maneuvered the lure around til the leader gave in, which took a bit. Good result.
Irepeated the experiment with a lure with an owner hyperwire split ring and the results were a lot different. Firstly the leader got wedged in the split ring coil, no good. Shortly after the leader clean broke off. Even worse.
So my question is should i ditch the splits or something else? Any help would be greatly appreciated
cheers

seano · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: tow point

I always take the tow point split ring off. Theres no point it being there if you use a loop knot.

Trier · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: tow point

Hi nagz, think I would agree with Seano (now) - up until recently, I have had split rings on everything and used a wire trace with a clip on it just to make it easier/quicker to change lures. Having perfected the 'perfection loop' (I had been lazy and not bothered even looking at the knot before, but it is simple as) as long as you are expecting to catch something without a decent set of dentures, then I would go with the loop. I generally use 60 or 80lb leader and have not seen it snag in a split ring - you must be using something that gives the fish a bit more of a 'sporting chance'!!!
If you are needing to clip on a trace and want to use something other than split rings, I did notice that BCF (and presumably the other tackle shops) had several different types of wire 'loops' that you could use to hook onto the tow point. They are in the same shelf area as the split rings.

Hope this helps,

nagz · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: tow point

G'day ash,
yeah, I've been using lefty's loop knot and just been thinking is there really a need for a split ring? maybe its just another point of possible weakness.
Tried a few different leaders. 30 To 60lb. It was the 30 that slipped through the splitring. Not surprising i guess aye

Balls · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:02 pm Post subject: Re: tow point

G'day Nagz

As with the other replies, the split rings on the towing point is just another thing that can go wrong & isn't required as it serves no purpose with an exception of lures that have a pressed out towing point, off memory some of Classics & Haalco range haved pressed towing point which will cut leader under pressure, basically just check out the towing point, if it round wire discard the split ring, if its flat personally I'd retain the split ring.

As for clips etc on towing points they are also just another thing that can go wrong, on small lures or lures that are finely tuned they usually either affect the performance of the lure or in some instances they just won't swim, a leader knot tied with a Hommer Rhodes or whatever your personal choice is saves you $$$ on unecessary gear & the p!ssed off feeling when a clip fails, once you tie the knot a couple of times you can do it with your eyes closed.

On toothy critters & really there are only a couple of really consistant ones to cater for here & they are Spanish Mackerel & all of the toothy Sharks. Grey & Spotted Mackerel will 9 times out of 10 be lip hooked, so the wire can be an option for those species, better to start with it & suss them out, if they are finicky I just go back without, I'd rather hook a heap & lose the odd one, but thats just me.

I use the Wilson single strand wire for Macks & pre make the leaders in all different strengths to suit the size of the target species, I will try & post some photos on the twisting jig I made up when I get the chance, cheers Balls.

olfart · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:42 pm Post subject: Re: tow point

Agree, lost a couple of good skinny due to the ring cutting the loop..harrissons straight to the eye now, for toothy stuff I use blood red American Fishing Wire...flemish knot and crimp. works for me.

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