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Making crimped connections
  |  First Published: January 2016



For all anglers, having good connections is very important for a successful result. For those using lighter tackle, this means knowing the best knots for your chosen main line and leader material type, and also for the fishing situation at hand. Whether joining main line straight to leader or to a swivel, solid ring or hook, there are numerous knots to learn and then put into practice during the fishing day.

For those using heavier tackle, it is a lot harder to rig your tackle due to the stiffness of heavy leader material and wire. Whilst knots such as FGs, PRs and others can offer low-profile leader to main line connections, there are few decent knots for connecting terminal tackle to heavy leader material and wire.

Crimps are your solution for rigging most heavy monofilaments, fluorocarbons and wire. These small metal sleeves can be made from aluminium, brass, copper or occasionally stainless steel tube. The leader material is inserted into the tube and then the tube is restricted around it using a special tool. This creates a strong and low-profile connection for attaching swivels, hooks, rings and for other terminal uses.

With so many different types of leaders and crimps to consider, we will look at some of the popular ones and the techniques used to get the job done to make the strongest connection for a multitude of rigging applications. When choosing a crimp you need to firstly consider the type of material being crimped and then the size you will need. If you are ultra-organised you may have your crimps sorted into sizes, however the basic rule is to use the most tightly fitting crimp for the size of the material being crimped. This will result in a more secure and low profile connection. It is best to firstly use the recess in your swaging tool which is the neatest fit, and then go to a smaller recess to secure the crimp more firmly. This will provide the neatest end result.

The following are some of the best ways to secure that heavy monofilament, wire or fluorocarbon. No matter whether you just want to attach a hook or want to make a rig for your heavy tackle marlin lure, having the tools and knowledge to do the job well can make a massive difference to your results.

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