Palmetto Fly N' Fish: Snag Free Lure Ideass

Snag-Free Lures That Work, And How!

By John McKean

Fishing Facts, Dec 1983

Excerpt:

CIRCULAR LOOP GUARD

An increasingly popular hook guard consists of a circular loop of heavy monofilament line which surrounds the hook point. This idea originated among fly tiers who sought protection for their streamer flies and surface poppers. For easy setting with long limber fly rods they needed something which would yield with minimal resistance. The mono guard worked so well that recently bass anglers who "flip" jigs into extremely thick cover with very heavy outfits have adopted it also.

The monofilament concept sure seemed like it could be easily applied to small jigs, but, much as I searched, line in the 50 pound test range or above couldn't be found locally. A suitable, or even superior, substitute turned out to be ordinary 20 to 30 pound test nylon-coated wire leader material. The wire had more spring than mono and was easy to work with in forming and attaching a guard.

Most importantly, this super hook protector easily bends and rolls away from the hook point as soon as the jig is engulfed by a fish. A standup jig head such as the Pow-RR Head or "Erie" design is probably most suitable to carrying the coated wire guard, although any style jig can wear one fairly well. This guard is especially good for jigs carrying larger sized hooks, say 2 to 4/0. As hook length or gap increases on any type head, it's generally best to use heavier gauge wire to maintain sufficient snag resisting tension. As shown in Figure 2

NEW SNAG-FREE BAIT RIG

I've saved possibly the best for last. What would you think about a rig which is virtually hang proof, yet sporting an ENTIRELY EXPOSED HOOK? It would have to be the ultimate for working tough areas with light gear, huh? Allow me to introduce you to the "Water Wizard."

When, after much tinkering, Cartwright* finally put the finishing touches on his masterpiece, he had vastly improved upon the concept of the floating jig, completely redefining its function.

* since this is an excerpt from a larger article, and now long out of print, well...I'm not sure who, "Cartwright" was

Notice, for instance, in Figure 3, how the fluorescent styrofoam ball is attached ABOVE the special wire harness on a free swinging ring.

This is extremely important to the lure's precise balance, allowing it to sink (when weighted), swim, and rest in a PERFECTLY HORIZONTAL position.

By dropping parallel with bottom the rig is able to settle into heavy cover without giving tackle-gobbling hazards a chance to ensnarl the hook. Then, as it bumps into underwater obstacles when retrieved, the unique notched float slides backward, sits across the harness, and thoroughly shields the hook point. The hook never sways sideward nor downward to get into trouble due to an intricate soldered design which locks it in place on a tiny crossbar.