DIY grapnel sinkers
Edit: sorry guys but all the pics have dissapeared. Ill throw in a couple of the finished product though
With 8oz grapnel sinkers costing about $10 and proper moulds costing a fortune I have been making my own grapnels by modifying $3 snapper sinkers from big W.
You need: Drill, 3mm drill piece, steel coat hanger (or steel from bunnings i guess), pencil, pliers
Step 1: Cut the coat hanger at desired length so you have 2 straight pieces, depending on the size of the sinker and the size bait you wil be sliding (see pic 1).
Step 2: drill two holes in the sinker at 90 degrees to each other and one just above the other. Insert the wire through the holes (see pic 2).
Step 3: Bend the wire on each side of the sinker by about 135 degrees so they cross over (see pic 3). Where the wires cross bend each one back to create a bend in the wire that can be used to "snap"" the wire into place later (see pic 4).
Step 4: with the wire in place as it would be when the sinker is in use (see pic 5) mark the spot where the bends in the wire touche the sinker. Drill small indents into the sinker so the bends in the wire catch, allowing the wire to "snap"" into place (see pic 6).
Step 5: Repeat for the other wire, with both wires snapped into place it might look something like pic 7
I have found these sinkers hold in the sand a lot better than the store bought ones as the wires are longer and thicker, which allows you to slide very big baits even in strong current or through heavy swell. Im sure this method can be improved and would love any advice. Hopefully this can help people save a few bucks and get some big fish land based.
EDIT: after some trial and error, found that using the same wire you can wrap the wire tightly around the hole you would tie your line to, then bend into the shape shown in the last pic. Then, file a gap in both sides allowing you to attach a cable tie to hold the wire in place, and you can add a fifth arm. This serves 2 purposes. firstly, you can clip your baits, so you dont need an IMP clip, just hook the bend in the wire over your bottom hook (Privided sinker leader is longer than the hook leader). Secondly, this fifth arm seems to help the sinker hold in the sand when sliding big baits.
still plenty of room for improvement....
cheers
lurcha
Posts: 455
Date Joined: 29/12/09
good post mate! those
good post mate! those sinkers are way over priced if you ask me, but looks like you found the alternative
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
Great Post!!!!
So simple but effective. What about the little bit on the top to hitch your rig onto for long casting? I am sure that wouldn't be hard.
These are great devices so long as no reef exists in the area. I have lost heaps through hookups where the wire was set too tight. The rig above looks like it will release pretty easily.
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
cuthbad
Posts: 1266
Date Joined: 22/04/09
I find if i use 40lb main
I find if i use 40lb main line then 25lb from the stopper to the sinker i can cast well and if it gets snagged i only lose the sinker.
but yea would be good to get the little hook on top as well, could put a bit more power into the cast then, ill have to think about it
cheers guys
poida
Posts: 234
Date Joined: 08/08/05
drilling lead
Been meaning to do this myself
Do you have any problems drilling through the lead???
cuthbad
Posts: 1266
Date Joined: 22/04/09
nah its pretty easy, i find
nah its pretty easy, i find it easier to get the drill bit back out by just keeping the drill spinnning and pulling it back out rather than stopping and switching so its goin the other way though. not sure why.
JakeB
Posts: 262
Date Joined: 12/12/09
you can snell a small hook
you can snell a small hook upside down right above the sinker to fix your bait hooks to for casting..
H.S. Chan
Posts: 587
Date Joined: 04/01/09
I like, I like, good onya
I like, I like, good onya mate. I use grapnel/impact/breakaways often and they certainly make my wallet feel lighter lol. Will definately give it a crack. thanks mate.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
That's excellent cuthbad
Always good to see someone trying out some home work.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
done it
Just made some of my own after making my own snapper leads, saved me a fair bit of cash
cuthbad
Posts: 1266
Date Joined: 22/04/09
added the hook now for
added the hook now for longer casts, gotta work out the ideal length of the hook though to minimise tangles....
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
i used
I used hard stainless wire about 2.5mm cos i got it free from work and i bent the ends over back on themself so i dont spike my fingers when reaching for them in a tackle bag
that gauge wire is very stiff and the spikes dont come loose to easily but that doesnt matter if i lose a couple they cost me nothing anyway