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Sailfish
 
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:50:24 AM
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| I make most of the snaps I use. It isn't hard to do and it takes less than a minute to make one. In the photo below, I show exactly how I do it. It took far longer to edit the photo than it did to bend the wires for the sequence. 
For the photo, I used .035" stainless wire. This is about #14 leader wire. I used wire bending pliers, wire cutters, and the cheapest little sleeve crimper to make these snaps free-hand. If I wanted absolutely identical snaps, I would make a simple jig using 2 nails and a piece of 1X4. Wire bending is a skill I think is essential for fishermen unless they can afford to have somebody rig for them or choose to use redi-rigs. Custom rigs are actually very simple. Bending wire up to about .040" can easily be done with normal hand tools you can buy at any tool or hardware store. I can bend pretty complicated stuff with up to about .040" wire. I make lots of snaps and rigs with .051" wire but my hands get mighty sore. Bail springs are duck soup as are light duty hooks. If I can't find it or can't afford it, I try to make it.
Life is too short to catch little fish. http://www.panhandlefishingbooks.com/
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Snapper
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/20/2010 9:26:51 PM
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| Once again Capt, thanks for sharing this with us. You make it look easy. I started using the coastal type snaps a couple of years back, but never pondered the idea of making my own. Do you have any recommendations on were to get the tools needed to get started. Or supplies? 
Danno"Scars are tatoos with a story" http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/gallery.asp?gallery=1841
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Grouper
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Last Login: Today @ 10:35:17 AM
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| You are going to single handedly run fishing stores out of business!!!. hahaha Now, can you start with car parts?  These lessons alone make this site worth the time. Thanks for the tips.
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Sailfish
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:50:24 AM
Posts: 1,460,
Visits: 4,523
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| Any of the tools can be bought locally. You can use regular leader wire for most projects but I really prefer spinner bait wire because it is straight and considerably stiffer than leader wire. If anybody wants to see the tools I use, I'll lay them out and take a photo. One of my favorite tools for lots of application where super strength is needed is the little Berkley sleeve crimper. I cannot think of another tool that can grip as tightly.
Life is too short to catch little fish. http://www.panhandlefishingbooks.com/
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