How to Haywire Twist

The haywire twist is a type of knot used to connect a fishhook or lure to a length of wire. It is used when fishing for toothy fish species that might otherwise bite through traditional monofilament fishing line. It may take some practice, but when done correctly, the haywire twist bends at the hook, rather than kinks, which preserves wire strength. The knot is incredibly strong and does not unravel.

Things You'll Need

  • 80- to 150-pound-test, single-strand fishing wire
  • Fishing lure or hook
Show More

Instructions

  1. Twisting the Wire

    • 1

      Insert the wire into the eye of the hook and pull through about 6 inches.

    • 2

      Cross the tag end over the main wire, making a loop next to the hook about ¼- to ½-inch across.

    • 3

      Splay the tag end and the main wire apart so they are at a 90-degree angle to each other, or slightly wider.

    • 4

      Hold the loop firmly with your non-dominant hand.

    • 5

      Grasp both the tag end and main wire in your dominant hand as one unit, maintaining the 90-degree angle between them.

    • 6

      Rotate the unit six times while holding the loop firmly. This lays six twists, starting at the loop and running up the main wire.

    • 7

      Let go of the main wire.

    • 8

      Make six barrel wraps around the main wire with the tag end. Wrap the tag around the main wire, making tight wraps that closely butt each other.

    Making the Crank

    • 9

      Make the last barrel wrap so the tag comes off the main wire at a 90-degree angle to the plane of the loop.

    • 10

      Bend the tag end 90 degrees at the midpoint.

    • 11

      Hold the loop and main wire in your non-dominant hand.

    • 12

      Grasp the "crank" you created when you made the 90-degree bend in the tag.

    • 13

      Turn the crank clockwise until the tag wire breaks off.