All comps here in Maputo are run under IGFA rules. So, I make my couta/drifting/live bait rigs (for gamefish) IGFA compliant. I use a bait clip. These are available commercially, but they are so easy and cheap to make that I make them myself.
Materials:* 15 cm of s/s wire or +150 Lb piano wire;
* Pliers;
* Round pliers;
* Strong wire cutter;
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How to do it:1. Cut +/- 15 cm of your wire of choice (here I'm using 200 Lb piano wire)
2. Using the round pliers, bend the wire and make a loop, then bend the wire some more till the tag ends cross at about 90 degrees
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3. Holding the loop with the pliers, twist both tag ends 3-4 times
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4. Leave the long tag end straight. Bend the short one 90 degrees
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5. Then, using the tips of you pliers, bend the tip of the short tag end to form a small open loop
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6. Bend the long tag end at 45 degrees and lock the tag end in the loop
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7. Cut 3 mm after the loop at an angle so you end up with a sharp tip, which will make piercing through your bait easier
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8. You're done!
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You can then be a bit creative and add some flashy decorative threads for added attraction or when the water is a bit dirty
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Add your trebles / J-hooks as per the various methods to rig couta traces.
A teardrop sinker can be used for dead baits, so they don't spin. I usually don't use sinkers (in the clip) with live baits - the sinker is attached to the main line a few meters ahead of the bait.
The clip is pierced through both jaws and locked in dead baits and only through the top jaw on live baits!
Easy as that!
