Joined
·
1,116 Posts
Gentlemen,
I now have in hand one of the smaller crimping tools (for up to 2.2 mm) an ample supply of copper double-barrelled crimps, some SS and glow thimbles, assorted mono etc. etc. I have also cast some 16 ounce egg weights. I have begun some practice bottom rigs just like those MrBill posted to deal with 3-ton grouper, and so far, I have imitated those rigs, using 400 pound mono. The main differences (other than quality) are that I have no aluminum crimps, so I am, for practice, holding the weight(s) in place using the double crimps. Also, I am using some 10/0 hooks rather than 18/0. I am using 1.9 mm ID crimps for the 400# mono. I am achieving the desired belling on each end of the crimp and am ending the crimping about 1/16 inch or so from each end, so I feel pretty good about that part.
However, in the course of practicing, I have developed some questions on which I would very much appreciate your various inputs:
1. How hard do you crimp down? I notice that on my crimps, there is some roughing up of the outside of the crimp--not terribly, but you can definitely feel rough edges where the tool has bitten in, and there is some obvious brightening of the metal. I suspect that this is normal, but do not have a very high confidence level. How does this sound?
2. I have decided to use double crimps on the hook and the swivel ends. Do you feel this adds any security?
3. I discovered that if the eye of the hook is not big enough (duhhhh) for the stainless thimble to fit through, I have to go without a thimble. How much does this detract from the durablity of the loop at the hook's end? I guess if I am using a 10/0 hook, I am going after smaller grouper and amberjack than MrBill is anyway, so probably less to worry about? Or should I try anti-abrasion tubing?
4. The thimbles do not fit nearly as snugly as I thought they should with 400# mono. I realize how difficult it is to describe something like that in words, but any help?
Thanks,
Russ
I now have in hand one of the smaller crimping tools (for up to 2.2 mm) an ample supply of copper double-barrelled crimps, some SS and glow thimbles, assorted mono etc. etc. I have also cast some 16 ounce egg weights. I have begun some practice bottom rigs just like those MrBill posted to deal with 3-ton grouper, and so far, I have imitated those rigs, using 400 pound mono. The main differences (other than quality) are that I have no aluminum crimps, so I am, for practice, holding the weight(s) in place using the double crimps. Also, I am using some 10/0 hooks rather than 18/0. I am using 1.9 mm ID crimps for the 400# mono. I am achieving the desired belling on each end of the crimp and am ending the crimping about 1/16 inch or so from each end, so I feel pretty good about that part.
However, in the course of practicing, I have developed some questions on which I would very much appreciate your various inputs:
1. How hard do you crimp down? I notice that on my crimps, there is some roughing up of the outside of the crimp--not terribly, but you can definitely feel rough edges where the tool has bitten in, and there is some obvious brightening of the metal. I suspect that this is normal, but do not have a very high confidence level. How does this sound?
2. I have decided to use double crimps on the hook and the swivel ends. Do you feel this adds any security?
3. I discovered that if the eye of the hook is not big enough (duhhhh) for the stainless thimble to fit through, I have to go without a thimble. How much does this detract from the durablity of the loop at the hook's end? I guess if I am using a 10/0 hook, I am going after smaller grouper and amberjack than MrBill is anyway, so probably less to worry about? Or should I try anti-abrasion tubing?
4. The thimbles do not fit nearly as snugly as I thought they should with 400# mono. I realize how difficult it is to describe something like that in words, but any help?
Thanks,
Russ