Setting a sinker?

[PeterCox]

Good morning all,
 
I was curious if someone had any info on the best grappling sinkers to use for sliding?
 
The reason I ask is often I will throw a 7oz wire grappling sinker out, wait a while and then put in a slide and the sinker (sometimes) comes lose and the bait goes all over with the currents (large and small baits)
 
I have also used the 5oz with the plastic arms, in the surf casing smaller baits and they never EVER hold for longer than a few seconds. So its pretty fustrating.
 
Any thoughts from the guys who have got this to a T would be awesome.
 
Thanks guys and tight lines

[REEFMAN]

Peter, if a 7oz sinker comes loose, then you need to increase the size. Also, make sure you're using 2mm wire Grapnel sinkers. The 1.6mm wires bend too easily.
The nylon grapnels weren't designed for sliding.
Check this thread out... http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=3128.0

[PeterCox]

Reefman - is there anything about fishing you dont know about?
 
lol - thanks bud will give it a read... Not sure Im comftable cashing much bigget than a 7oz, but hey ill give it a go

[REEFMAN]

Using 2mm wire grapnels, you need to bennd the wires like so...

[PeterCox]

Thank Reefman,
By the next socail Im not going to owe you 1 bottle its going to be like an entire bar lol
So 2mm wire bent like the pic and we should be good to go... Thanks

[Half-Pint]

Also don't forget to wait awhile before sliding your bait. What is always a good idea is to cast out your sinker then place the rod in your pension pipe and bait up your trace.

You can also use a little trick shown to me by Fritz. Drop your rod to horizontal now gently pull it from 12 to 3 a few times like you would when sliding your bait out. The only difference is there is a much smaller angle between you and the sinker which means each pull should bury the sinker further. Using these tricks I cant actually remember when last I had a sinker not hold

[whalerider]

Hi Peter
 
sure you gonna go 2mm wire on your grapnels, but use your existing thin wired ones and put a cable tie on to hold wires in place.
 
Hope it makes sense
 
WR

[PeterCox]

Wow some top class advise here thanks guys, will def try all the tricks.
 
Then those silly plastic "arm" sinkers are those not worth using as every time i throw a light bait with one of those it comes back or goes sideways after being in for a few seconds.

[REEFMAN]

You can't slide with the Nylon Graps. They were designed for edibles beach fishing in a current, or for Rocky fishing... The nylon graps help prevent the sinker from lodging in a crevice in the rocks.

[PeterCox]

Ahhh I have never  used them for sliding, just find they dont hold well but your explination makes sense.
 
Thanks

[MIKE PIKE]

Peter also look out for the grapnels with the long boom ( ie the wire that sticks out the top of the sinker to which your line is attached is a lot longer ) changes the angle of the sinker when its lying on the seabed and makes it easier for the sinker to dig its way into the sand , HP's advice is also a great help , letting the sinker settle in a bit before sliding + changing the angle between you and the sinker and doing the slow even side to side pulls on the line with rod to help grapnels dig in deeper into the sand . before sliding out the bait .

[Nigel66]

Reefman's photo of his sinker wires and how they are bent is spot on. However I think getting a sinker to set is a two part system. I have over the years fished in some very strong side currents, and in order to get your sinker to grip it needs to be placed up current of your fishing spot.

What I do is to walk up current from where my sand spike is positioned and cast straight out. Then I walk quickly back to my sand spike paying out line as I go. What this does is allow the grapnel to dig in, in line with the current flow. By the time you are back to your spot the grapnel should be dug in just slightly up current of your spot. Done this way the current is always trying to pull you sinker deeper into the sand/mud.

Doing it this way , instead of say casting at an angle up current from your spot you will be at your own maximum casting range. Casting from your spot at an angle reduces the distance you will actually be from the waters edge. If you cast straight out from your spot in a strong lateral current it usually means that by the time it grips you are now down current and  in order to keep the sinker set you will need to increase your sinker size at the very least, also the current is always trying to dislodge your sinker.

I hope this is clear, and give it a try and see if it works for you.

[REEFMAN]

Fair advice there Nigel. Only problem with this method, is that if you're sliding, you will have to walk past where you cast before you slide a bait out. If you slide with your sinker up current, the bait will not reach the sinker due to the bow in the line caused by the current.

Check this link out for Graphic explanation of the concept... http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=3128.0
 

[Nigel66]

Reefman thanks for the tip. Sliding a bait out from the surf is virtually unknown over here, and I certainly have no experience sliding, so excuse my lack of knowledge. I have made myself some non return clips and hope to try them out if I can ever stop working and go fishing. So I will keep your advice in mind.

[PeterCox]

Some seriously useful info guys, thank you.
 
So I need to clarify, casting a bit upcurrent is a better way to get the sinker set HOWEVER you may struggle to get the slide all the way out?
 
Thanks

[REEFMAN]

Use a heavier sinker and cast from where you are to your spot. Once the sinker is settled, then walk up current and slide from there.

[PeterCox]

AHHH that makes perfect sense :) nice.
 
Thanks a million will give it a good go and let you know what happens. :)

[Lenny]

size up your sinker .
Longbooms all the way , even if you can get 7 ounce long booms , you will be amazed what big difference the longer booms make .


Ensure your wires are bent properly , if in doubt , use a cable tie to secure them .


If you battle to get your slide out all the way , heres another tip , when your slide is still visible and in the shallows , us short shakes of your rod , until you can feel the slide is in water , then you come with long shakes . now shake till your arms are burning , and shake another 10 minutes ....