Tying a wire leader to a hook, especially for targeting toothy fish, requires a knot that is strong, reliable, and won't slip or cut the wire. A widely used and effective method is the Haywire Twist.
The Haywire Twist creates a strong, non-slip connection specifically designed for stiff wire leaders. Unlike knots used for monofilament or fluorocarbon, the Haywire Twist doesn't rely on friction created by turns pulling against each other; instead, it relies on tightly twisting the wire itself.
Understanding the Haywire Twist
The strength of the Haywire Twist comes from its unique structure, which involves creating a series of tight barrel twists followed by wraps around the standing line. This method minimizes kinking or weakening the wire at stress points.
Key Steps of the Haywire Twist
Here's a breakdown of how to tie a Haywire Twist to attach your wire leader to a hook:
- Thread the Wire: Pass the end of your wire leader through the eye of the hook or swivel you are attaching.
- Double Back: Bring the wire end back parallel to the standing line, forming a loop at the hook eye.
- Form the Loop: As highlighted in fishing tutorials, you need to form a loop by doubling the wire back again, keeping the hook eye in the bend. Position the tag end and the doubled-back wire parallel to the standing line.
- Create Barrel Twists: Pinch the wire tightly at the hook eye where the loop is formed. Begin twisting the tag end around the standing line and the doubled-back wire section. This creates the "barrel" section of the twist. This step, involving the precise formation and tightening of these initial twists right at the connection point, is often considered the trickiest part of the Haywire Twist. Aim for 5-7 tight, even barrel twists.
- Perform Haywire Wraps: Bend the remaining tag end at a right angle (around 90 degrees) relative to the barrel twists. Now, tightly wrap this tag end around the standing line only, working back towards the main line. Make 5-7 tight wraps.
- Break Off Excess: Do not cut the tag end with pliers or nippers, as this can leave a sharp burr. Instead, bend the tag end back and forth sharply until the wire fatigues and breaks off cleanly right at the last wrap.
| Step | Action | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial Threading | Pass wire through hook eye. | Ensure enough tag end to work with. |
| 2. Form Loop at Eye | Double wire back through the eye. | Creates the base for the twist. |
| 3. Create Barrel Twists | Twist tag end around standing line & doubled wire near eye. | Forms the loop and barrel. Tricky part! |
| 4. Perform Haywire Wraps | Bend tag end 90°, wrap tightly around standing line only. | Secures the barrel. |
| 5. Break Off Tag | Bend tag end back and forth until it snaps cleanly. | Avoid sharp edges. |
This process results in a strong, streamlined connection that is less likely to fail under the stress of fighting powerful, toothy fish.
