In the first part of our discussion on the evolution of terminal tackle we touched on advancements in wire leader materials and manufacturing. Keep in mind that while AFW Titanium Tooth Proof single strand and AFW Titanium Surfstrand braided leader are at the cutting edge of technology and performance there are many anglers who relay on the reliable performance of stainless steel leader products. The leading products in that category are AFW Tooth Proof single strand and AFW Surflon and AFW Surfstrand braided wires available in a number of configurations from 1 X 7 to 1 X 19 strands uncoated or nylon coated, to cover any fishing situation from the biggest sharks to the smallest fly fishing leaders. They even offer a wide selection of pre-packaged leaders with AFW Mighty Mini barrel swivels and snaps, which leads us to the next topic of discussion in the evolutionary development of barrel swivels and snap swivels.
The swivel became part of fishing when problems with line twist began to emerge. Many early fishing lures features parts that spun around a shaft or, in some cases, the entire lure would spin, which would cause the line to twist. After a while the twisting would become so severe that the line became unusuable. The problem was even worse prevalent in early monofilament lines, which kink up into a bloody mess when exposed to excess twisting. Early swivels were of the box variety consisting of a square open frame with wire loops that passed through holes in opposing ends of the square. While box swivels offered some relief from line twist they were not very efficient or effective and were followed by the earliest forms of barrel swivels, a shape common to almost anyone who fishes today. Early barrel swivels had to be large and bulky due to the crude manufacturing machinery of the time and to possess enough strength because they were formed out of soft brass.
The evolution of the barrel swivel was pushed forward by advances in manufacturing and the ability of the machinery to mass produce smaller and smaller metal components consistently, but materials lagged behind. Brass remained the material of choice because it was corrosion resistant and soft enough for the machinery of the day to form easily. So barrel swivels got smaller, but not too small because the remaining inhibiting factor was the brass itself. No matter how you cut it brass is still soft and it just isn’t very strong unless it is relatively thick.
The last inhibiting factor fell a few years ago when the machinery used for manufacture the component parts of a barrel swivel were improved to handle stronger materials, stainless steel in particular. Stainless steel maintains the corrosion resistant characteristics needed in terminal tackle and now machinery was in place that could manufacture and assemble the component parts to meet strict quality control standards using it. With that American Fishing Wire introduced the AFW Mighty Mini Series!
AFW Mighty Mini Crane Swivels are 100% stainless steel, both the rings and the bodies. These tiny wonders are three times stronger than brass or stainless/brass composite swivels and can be 3 times smaller than typical brass swivels. Whether you fish in fresh water or salt the smaller the rigging hardware at the end of the line the more natural the presentation of the lures or baits you are using. A more natural presentation means more bites and that’s the best news of all.
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The smallest swivel in the AFW Mighty Mini line is the size of a 15 lb rated brass swivel, but it tests out to 78 lbs before failure. The strongest in the line is rated at 511 lbs of breaking strength, but smaller than a brass swivel rated at just 150 lbs. Now that’s remarkable, but you don’t have to believe me. Ask world famous big game angler, fishing tackle innovator and television personality Dennis Braid. He uses AFW Mighty Mini’s to tackle the biggest game fish in the world. Recently he caught one of the biggest fish ever landed on stand up tackle using his remarkable Braid belt and harness systems. He boated, tagged and released a 1047-pound giant bluefin tuna using size 1/0 Mighty Mini Crane Swivels in his bait rigs. Now that has to be the ultimate test of any terminal gear!
Stop fishing with old technology and step up to AFW Mighty Mini Swivels and Barrel Swivels. They best money can buy, and value priced too.
-Gary Caputi
It seems to me that AFW is redefining the word fishing, with these rather brilliant advancements in terminal tackle this year, the company is really talking about “catching” fish. It is no longer fishing as we knew it.
ReplyDelete“Catching” is important to me as I regard myself as a subsistent fisher rather than a sports or recreational one, my priority is fish in the freezer cheaper than purchasing at the local fish market. Ideally, I strive to acquire complete terminal tackle rigs that costs 20 cents or less that I make up myself. My wife and I will go through 100 hooks in no time, mostly from snags. I see other people attaching $3 or more onto the ends of their lines just in floats, leaders and hooks etc., which is getting beyond the affordable, if fishing for food as we do. I have been testing rigs for at least 4 years here in Australia at the same location chasing pelagic species with live herring bait floated on a balloon. Single strand camo “Tooth Proof”, rolling swivels and 6/0 Octopus Circle hooks rated at least one third stronger than the fishing line’s breaking strain is the best universal rig for our purposes. We use 17-20 lbs test line and frequently catch fish of that size, but can bring in a 6ft shark (shovelnose for example) for fun when feeling inclined too. Tooth Proof camo wire is stealth enough for chasing all the different Mackerel species we have here, strong enough to cope with powerful 100-200 yd. runs by Giant Trevelli, Queen Fish and Barramundi. Best of all, it is economically viable when shopping wisely. A person spending $3 on bought made up rigs, using 300 per quarter of a year is never going to catch that value in fish to eat.
We don't lose enough fish due to kinking to warrant concern; however, we have recently been trialling Surflon Micro Supreme to test if the stiffness of single strand wire is deflecting a fish's mouth from the hook or affecting the baits swimming action. There are definite advantages, getting more strikes and hook-ups. It is also fair when considering the economics, as it is possible to make rigs for well under a dollar, but would be better if available in bulk spools.
I believe the pitch AFW is making about swivels and titanium wire, it is the truth for sure, but the price of terminal tackle is becoming ridicules, so although I enjoy “Catching” I'm happy to remain “Fishing”.
Jack