Wind-on leaders vs ball bearing lock swivels

Saltwater Offshore Discussion
1

Target species: all pelagics
Been on a few boats that used WO leaders on some of their setups but hadn’t given much thought to it other than “cool, I don’t have to explain to the guy with the rod to walk to the front of the boat in order to pull the fish into gaff range.”

I don’t have any experience building WO leaders, I’ve only done a BB swivel tied to main line and leader snapped into that. But, I’m interested in some setups specifically for blackfin and read that WO leaders would be optimal.

What are the +/- of a WO leader?
Is a main disadvantage that you can’t simply unsnap the leader and leave it in the fish while you change out rig during a good bite?

Discuss.

2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau

2

Unhook the fish and re-rig the bait, takes 30seconds.

If the bite is so hot that you need to get that rod out quicker than that, you have a great problem.

We use wind on swivels on most of our rigs, not true wind on leaders(loop to loop). It works for our crew and everyone is on the same page.

Loop to loop offers a secure connection to put a leader on your mainline.

3

I like to tie a spider hitch or Bimini twist on my main line about 4-6’ in length. Tie a no name knot to that with 80 or 100 lb mono and then a snap swivel at the end of that. This way you can make your leaders on your baits interchangeable and shorter, maybe 3-4’ While still getting the benefits of a true wind on leader. This way you Don’t have to ask the angler to walk up to the bow of the boat to gaff a fish. This has worked fine for me while meat fishing but I’m certain serious tournament guys will tell you that snap swivel can be seen and that’s why they prefer wind ons.

288 Sea Fox cc
600 hp

4

Dolphin and wahoo don’t really seem to care. I usually start with a couple wind on leaders and by the end of the dolphin run they have snap swivels tied on to the end because dolphin really like to swallow hooks and I’m too lazy to re-rig it.

5

We started using wind ons more last season and really like them. We use a small spro swivel to attach to the main line

“mr keys”

6

Those Spro heavy swivels (I think that’s what they call them) and other variants have pissed me off. They have sharp edges where mono goes and can cut through line if edges are present.

I’ve gone to Spro barrel swivels (maybe the power swivels…or I have these names reversed)

That said, I’m like the other guy here in that I typically only used them when I’m hoping for tuna.

7

I use spro 80 lb swivels for connection. never have a problem.

State Farm Agent
N Myrtle Beach

8

I don’t use any hardware, as I don’t want the swivels banging up the eyelets on my rods.

‘90 Maverick 18.5’ Master Angler/'03 Evinrude 150
'14 Hydra Sports 3400/ 2 350 Yammys

Someone once told me you go out on the water to escape reality, so I thought about it and said no, I get on the water to find relaity

9
quote:
Originally posted by bennetmp

I don’t use any hardware, as I don’t want the swivels banging up the eyelets on my rods.

‘90 Maverick 18.5’ Master Angler/'03 Evinrude 150
'14 Hydra Sports 3400/ 2 350 Yammys

Someone once told me you go out on the water to escape reality, so I thought about it and said no, I get on the water to find relaity

Rollers, bro!

10

I use a modified sible knot. I went 150 braid to 300 mono and my line pops and the knot is fine works well on lower weights to and takes about 5 minutes to follow the YouTube video and do it yourself.

11
quote:
Originally posted by Bluewaterbeaux
quote:
Originally posted by bennetmp

I don’t use any hardware, as I don’t want the swivels banging up the eyelets on my rods.

‘90 Maverick 18.5’ Master Angler/'03 Evinrude 150
'14 Hydra Sports 3400/ 2 350 Yammys

Someone once told me you go out on the water to escape reality, so I thought about it and said no, I get on the water to find relaity

Rollers, bro!

He must like his line twisted, too…