[fishsnatcher]

How do you rig keeper hooks in relation to your normal rig [I’ve never used them] do you [if doing a ledger rig] make another trace with the keeper on it directly beside the trace with your main hook? Do you make it sliding on the trace that has your main hook on it?

How do you rig these things?

[Sevengillz]

I reckon keepers are best suited to straylining/running rigs but I guess they would work all good on a ledger rig.Fixed or sliding it doesnt really matter.
If you are fitting one to a ledger rig then it should be on the main hook line…if its not,then its not really a keeper hook…its just another smaller hook doing its own thing.
I dont use them anymore but if you decide to then you will prob find that its the keeper that does 80% of the hooking up.
Also size is another thing.I wouldnt exceed 3/0 for use as a keeper.The smaller the better I reckon.

[fishsnatcher]

OK thnx, just out of curiosity; what made you stop using keeper hooks?

[Sevengillz]

im not actually 100% sure but they werent really suitable for the rigs I was making myself such as heavy duty shark traces and I dont really really make my on ledgers anymore as im a big fan of the 2 hook flashers from Black Magic.
I was using keepers when I was after snapper in the shallows but then I changed that setup for a fixed 2 hook straylining setup.Thats 2 4/0 hooks fixed to thread on a whole pilchard rather than having 1 big hook and a keeper.
Prob doesnt make much difference really I guess it comes down to personal preference more than anything.

[Miliwolf]

I find that the pre-made rigs are to expensive, I could afford to buy them but I just tie replacement rigs while waiting for baits to occur. That way I know the quality of all rig components. In saying that, I do buy the retail rigs and copy the best ideas from them.

[Sevengillz]

yeah they are expensive but I cant fault the blackmagic range and I reckon $25 for 3 snapper snatchers,tarakihi terrors,seafood seducers etc is a fairly good deal.I can make my own but they would never be to that standard.Nowadays I dont normally use a ledger rig unless im on a boat anyway.
Have you tried those long cast rigs before? Damn was going to post the link for the ones on trademe but cant find it now…Im sure they were from Pete Lambs line of goodies.

[Miliwolf]

I use long cast rigs 95% of the time. I use a Genie Bent Rig Clip to tie the bait down, I find it works well and much simplier to use then IMPS or Breakaway Impact Shields.

[fishsnatcher]

Ok I had a look at the long cast pulley rig on the surfcasting sample on this site i got the basic idea, why nnot just use a snaplock swivel for all those genie clips that are attached to the swivels? as long as you use a strong enough clip it should be alright.

[Miliwolf]

I only use one genie clip and that doubles as a bait clip. I also join the sinker onto it. On the trace end I use a swivel and just tie two knots. I would not trust a genie clip on the bait end, I have had them come free while casting.

So all I use to tie my long cast rigs are

80lb line
2 swivels.
1 Genie Bent Rig Clip
2 Beads

Trace
1 circle hook
Maybe a bead or float.
80lb line or wire trace.
I either snell or crimp the line to the hook, then tie/crimp it to the swievel on the end of the rig.
I might add a bead or float to my trace.

At times I use crimps instead of knots. The less clutter the lower the chance of something going wrong. Also more clutter reduces flight distance.

[fishsnatcher]

Ok I have never used crimps, know a good site i can have a look at? Or got a good diagram?

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