Author Topic: The Classic old Natal Swimbait Trace (Read 32730 times)

REEFMAN · « **on:** May 15, 2011, 05:41:18 PM »

There are lots of ways of making a Swim Bait Trace. The method I describe here is the old fashioned tried and tested Swim Bait Trace that used to be used off the Durban Pier back in the days. It has been modified with some modern technology.

Choose your favourite hooks... I'm using Mustad Big Game 9/0 and a Mustad Z-Steel 12/0 Circle.

Bind the hooks together, back to back, using the knot of your choice.

Your #7 Piano wire should now be cut into 3 equal size pieces... about 3m each. 1 packet of Piano Wire will get you one Swim Bait trace.

Kumz · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2011, 06:07:01 PM »

:shre: . + cred ...

John F · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2011, 06:08:23 PM »

Thanks Reefz!

Great tut! +cred!

MIKE PIKE · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:11:11 PM »

.. proper swimbait trace that..

.

steve m · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:12:01 PM »

nice

just one thing is that those z-steel circles open easily....

sea sick · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:43:17 PM »

Reefs

very nice there.
it's time you put all those traces to the test, no use just making them.
we want prqactical feed back

ss

REEFMAN · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:43:58 PM »

10/0 may open easily - it even looks thin. 12/0... I don't think so.... Is as thick as the VMC Longliner 12/0's

But I'm not crazy about the idea of using Circles on Swim Baits anyway. Pic no. 3 is my preferred setup... 2 Mustad Big Game J Hooks back to back...

REEFMAN · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:44:32 PM »

Quote from: sea sick on May 15, 2011, 07:43:17 PM

Reefs

very nice there.
it's time you put all those traces to the test, no use just making them.
we want prqactical feed back

ss

Vidal is 160 days away...

Toppie · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:59:58 PM »

.....and I'll keep you guys supplied with live baits (PS: and win the most species comp

)

REEFMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2011, 08:15:32 PM »

Quote from: MIKE PIKE on May 15, 2011, 07:11:11 PM

.. proper swimbait trace that.. .

Where's yours??????

Fritz · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2011, 08:25:15 PM »

Thanks for the post Tony. Its always good to see how other people make swimbait taces and I think it was about time that we started covering this topic. + creds for you.

MIKE PIKE · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2011, 08:39:19 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on May 15, 2011, 08:15:32 PM

Where's yours??????

....

... need to get some heavy duty ball bearing swivels still then i'll make them up soon .

ONDE ONDA · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2011, 06:58:08 AM »

Good one Tony

Half-Pint · « **Reply #13 on:** May 16, 2011, 07:54:20 AM »

Nice trace Tony but I have doubts about any J hook anywhere near a circle.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2011, 08:34:28 AM »

Quote from: Must-Byte on May 16, 2011, 07:54:20 AM

Nice trace Tony but I have doubts about any J hook anywhere near a circle.

?Why?

WalkersKiller · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2011, 08:40:39 AM »

Yet another superb post Reefz + cred

BigG · « **Reply #16 on:** May 16, 2011, 08:49:30 AM »

Great looking trace Tony

And as always

++ Cr

Half-Pint · « **Reply #17 on:** May 16, 2011, 08:59:15 AM »

Its probably easier if I show you at the social but the way I see it is that with a circle you need the fish to almost swallow the bait then reel up and because the point is turned inwards it won't hook up until it reaches the scissors of the jaw. With the j hook the moment you tighten up if the point touches anything it will set or at least partially set into that defeating the whole object of the circle hook. Like I say its easier to demonstrate my theory

steve m · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2011, 05:52:04 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on May 15, 2011, 07:43:58 PM

10/0 may open easily - it even looks thin. 12/0... I don't think so.... Is as thick as the VMC Longliner 12/0's

But I'm not crazy about the idea of using Circles on Swim Baits anyway. Pic no. 3 is my preferred setup... 2 Mustad Big Game J Hooks back to back...

I agree that the 10/0 is bnot strong but niether is the 11/0 and i have had the 14/0 mustad (the longline one) open on a raggie of 117kgs can only imagine what a zambi etc would do.... however it might work 100% but i wouldnt want to increase the risk rather use the 20/0 mustad (R15) or the 18/0 mustad(R12.50) or even 16/0(R5) all of which are stronger or just use j hooks? but i could be wrong...

REEFMAN · « **Reply #19 on:** May 16, 2011, 06:37:40 PM »

Quote from: steve m on May 16, 2011, 05:52:04 PM

I agree that the 10/0 is bnot strong but niether is the 11/0 and i have had the 14/0 mustad (the longline one) open on a raggie of 117kgs can only imagine what a zambi etc would do.... however it might work 100% but i wouldnt want to increase the risk rather use the 20/0 mustad (R15) or the 18/0 mustad(R12.50) or even 16/0(R5) all of which are stronger or just use j hooks? but i could be wrong...

Nope I agree with you. The Circle was basically used as a demo, because many guys make their swim traces this way. As I said, my preferred way would be to put 2 J-hooks back to back...