Line and Hooks for worm harnesses on Erie

[AJ]

I am going to make my own harnesses this year and was trying to decide on which line and hooks to buy. Can anyone help me out with the type and size of the line and hooks.
Thanks AJ

[Rod Holder]

Interesting you asked at the moment. I just completed tying some for myself with Erie in mind. You can upsize the hooks from what you might normally use since, for the most part, it is structureless fishing and not too much trouble getting snagged. I have normally used a #4 as the nose hook and a #2 as the second but on these Erie harnesses the nose hook is a #2 Gamakatsu and the second is a #1 Gamakatsu. I just received a couple sample Matzuo sickle octopus hooks in size 1 and 1/0 and the 1/0 size does not seem too big. I think I will order some 1/0 red sickles and put them on for the second hook. I am favorably impressed by the Matzuo sickles, these hooks being plenty sharp and accidentally impaling myself when not being careful tying a recent batch. They aren't nearly as expensive as a Gamakatsu octopus hook though I use those also, both red and black. The #1 Gamakatsu hook is considerably beefier than a #2 so if you snag, you will probably not straighten the hook and pull off.

Last year's harnesses I tied with 17# Rapala Finesse line but for the ones for this coming season I bought a spool of 15# Triple Fish fluorocarbon. Makes nice harnesses but be very careful when cinching up your snell knot if you use the same knot I use where the tag ends both end up under the line wraps around the hook shank. Use a little saliva and they cinch with no line weakening. Some guys like using a treble hook as their trailing hook. I, personally, do not.

[JerryA]

14lb Trilene XT low-vis green, No.2 Gama hooks - octopus or walleye wide gap.

[gunrac]

Inital start-up can be a bit pricy if you go with quality components. Buying quanity is the cheeper way out. You can sill figure around .90 to a buck apiece in making you own, blade an all. To help keep the price down, use the interchangable blade clevis. Switching blades rather then harnesses. Here is a couple outlets I use for components and don't forget e-bay.

http://www.staminainc.com/

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/

Check this basic harness out.

http://www.walleyesinc.com/walleyeinc3/howtotie.html

NEVER APOLOGIZE....
AS IT SHOWS SIGNS OF WEAKNESS
HAWG ON, SEA YA

[Ed Fiore]

Line - Seaguar 12 or 15lb Carbonpro
Front Hook - sz- 2 to 2/0 Gamakatsu Octopus, Reds, Chart, Purples, (up to 2.5 mph)

Front and Rear hook over 2.5 - Gama Walleye wide gap, (inline hook) will help keep the roll down.

Rear hook – Octopus sz4 - 1/0 work, Trebles work also, but not at high speeds.

PA's work well as an attractor / Snap weight, Plus you don’t have to remove them.
I have had very good success on Eire with Gold and Fire orange/Chart PA’s.
If the bite is off go to Snap Weights.

Blades – Xtreme Tackle blades have done very well on Eire, Purple, Chartreuse are the colors I like, but coppers and Teals have done well , Sizes 4-6 (I like 5’s)
(5 fish 46+ lbs RCL lake Eire)

Beads – I go with Stackers,

All of these products are available thought our retailers or us if you don’t a have anyone local.

Good Luck It’s a great place to fish (Side note don’t forget Reef Runners)
Ed Fiore
Xtreme Tackle a Walleye Central Sponsor
www.xtackle.com

[Aj]

Thanks for the input guys.
AJ

[Pond scum]

I agree with Rodholder on the hook choices. The Gamakatsu's are great hooks. I experiment with colors too, and the Gams come in many great colors. I use 15lb P-Line fluorocarbon for my Erie harnesses. I purchase beads very cheaply at a craft store.

[Toolman]

I use mostly Gami Walleye wide gap from 1/O to #2. # 4 for smaller fish/inland waters. Most of my open water spinners are tied with a #2 EWG treble on the front and a #2 Gami single on the rear. 17# Trilene XT for line heavy enough to worry about teeth and (the occasional) bottom contact cutting line but not too heavy or stiff to hold a snell knot. I always use exchangable plastic clevis. Beads are usually 6mm faceted from Wally mart craft dept. Sometimes go smaller and more colorful w/name-brand beads. Sometimes add a rattle bead or 2. I also tie alot of spinners with Mack's Smile blades. You basically use the same set ups but exclude the clevis and drop a 3mm bead on top of the stack and then the smaile blade on top of it.

Tim

[Capt. Paul]

20 lb Seaguar Leader material, #2 Gama for the front hook or two, #8 Triple grip treble in the back. Beads of your choice and a quick change clevis and away you go.