Wire Fishing Line Instructions

Wire fishing line is not really a fishing line, but a leader material. This means that it is attached to your main fishing line to prevent species of fish with sharp teeth from cutting through the fragile monofilament or through braided lines that have gained popularity in recent years. By using a wire leader, you can prevent yourself from losing many types of fish that simply cannot be caught without it.

  1. Brand Selection

    • Whatever brand you decide to choose from---and there are several---be sure that the test of the wire is rated to the same test as your main fishing line. This will prevent any loss of line and damage to your fishing equipment.

    How Long?

    • The length of the wire leader that you will use is entirely dependent on the type of fish that is being targeted. King and Spanish mackerel, for example, would require a leader of at least 1 foot in length, whereas sharks (being much larger) can sever the wire with their tail as well as their teeth. Thus, the length of the leader must be considerably longer, often as long as 7 feet or more.

    Use

    • Many people still use wire crimps to hold the leader to the swivel attached to the main line of the fishing rod. This, however, is not the best method, as crimps can be easily pulled apart. The best method, known as the haywire twist, is to run the end of the wire through the swivel or hook or whatever you may be attaching the leader to and to twist the leader around itself in barrel fashion. For lighter-gauge wire, this can be done with the fingers by simply bending the wire around itself a minimum of 6 times. For heavier-gauge wire, the same method can be used but may require the use of pliers or forceps. After twisting, the tag end of the wire should be clipped.