Bwana’s Simple Snoek-Candy Trace

[Bwana]

This is a  very simple bullet-proof trace I have been using for Natal Snoek using Titanium  wire, but will also work with normal piano wire. It is very streamlined and  durable.
 
You will  need:
1x Small  Plastic Squid Skirt (I prefer the new Fish Inc ones in clear or pink/white/glow)
1 x Small  couta duster (colour of your choice)
1 x 5/0  Long shank hook (this one is a Lions 5/0)
1 x #14  centro power swivel
45lb  Titanium leader wire (or #5 paino wire)
 

[Bwana]

Method:
 
Slide the  small squid skirt over the couta duster until the metal head of the duster is  snugly fitted into the head of the skirt. Use the point of the hook to puncture  a hole in the nose of the skirt to allow the wire to pass through later.

[Bwana]

You can use  almost any colour combination that you like, but my favourites are:
 
Clear skirt  over purple & pearl duster (good for overcast conditions or very clean  water)
Clear skirt  over blue & silver duster (good for clean water)
Clear skirt  over pearl duster (my favourite allrounder)
Pink & white  skirt over pear duster (good on bright sunny days)
 
Now attach  the titanium wire to the eye of the hook. You can use several methods  (including clinch knot) but my favourite is the Riebeeck knot the rock and surf  guys use for attaching nylon coated wire to hooks. You can also use a Flemish  Eye (double overlay) through the hook eye. I finish either of these knots with  4-5 barrel wraps away from the eye under tension – it finishes it very neatly. (Alternatively you can use a haywire twist with normal piano wire)

[Bwana]

Cut the  wire leader to about 20cm to allow space for the Albright knot later on
 
Place  several small spacer beads onto the titanium wire above the hook eye to  position the hook at the correct length inside the skirt. I like the hook to  protrude about 3-4cm behind the skirt but it all depends on personal preference  and how big the fillets are that you use. Insert the wire leader through the duster  and skirt and out the top checking your spacing. Add or remove beads if  necessary to get your hook into the correct position.
 
Now take  60cm of 30lb fluorocarbon and tie on your small swivel
 
Next double  over the end of the titanium leader wire and tie an Albright knot to the other  end of the fuoro. Take care to lubricate and  slowly tighten the Albright so that it seats  properly.
 
All done –  you have a very neat, strong and durable Snoek Candy trace ready to put your  fillet on and get into action!

[Bwana]

The proof is in the results - this snoek fell to a clear/pearl combination with a red-eye fillet

[Serra Moz]

Cool thanks for sharing!

[Half-Pint]

Awesome tut Mark!

[eric cotton]

Looks great will give it go....have 

[Shaun17]

Lekker tut Mark, shot!!! Even the Snoek Master approves 

[John F]

Thanks Mark! Simple and effective as usual!

[super_daav]

Nice Mark! I use those "Snoek Candy" combos on my couta traces with pink duster / clear squid, ice glow duster / pink squid being my 2 favourites followed by your purple or blue skirt / clear squid combo.

[MZeee]

Thanks mark Im a newbie and iv finally got my trace to stop spinning, my trick is to use nice fresh, firm sardine fillet and not a stitch of cotton. i find that the way i tie the cotton makes the fillet spin. my fillet lasts at least 10-15 mins of paddling before i need to change it. been trying to get a snoek ever since i took up kayak fishing in september...hopefully i get one soon...when i do i will post pics of it, on the braai


  to you, gonna give this trace a bash