hotn-tots tie or snap

[james]

When trolling with hot-n-tots is it best to tie direct to connector on the lure or use a duo lock snap, The reason i ask about the snap is where i fish there is alot of pike and i want to use a wire trace to prevent bite offs.And sometimes the lure comes belly up is this because i am using a snap?
thanks to any one who can help...james.

[Tstick]

James
I find for best performance out of any lure tie direct.
If your lure is comeing up belly up it probably isnt tuned properly.I run 14 lb fireline and get bit off rarely but if you dont want to loose hooks stick with your leader.
Thanx and fish hard
Tstick

[Michael Scott]

Hello from Minnesota! Regarding Hot'n'Tots have you considered using wire but tying the wire directly to the plug? I believe 4 - 6 wraps of wire (watch the alignment so the lure tracks properly) might do the trick...just a thought.
P.S. where do you fish?

[james]

I live in scotland uk and mainly fish loch lomond and loch awe,i troll for trout but there are also alot of pike as well and the average weight of pike is around 12lb, so you can see why i need wire , because they can get a hot-n-tot right down their mouth and then they just slice through mono.
thanks for the answer i will try the wire thing....james.

[Pitts]

James that must be a drag having 12 lb average pike to catch all the time. LOL

Pitts in Minnesota USA

[Eyemadman]

I dont have as many pike as you do, but I caught a 44inch 27pound and a 41 inch 20.5 pound pike over the last 5 years. I tie direct to the lure, using mono, very rarely get bit off.

[Gord]

Toothy critters can be hard on the pocket book if you tie your cranks directly to your line. Steel leaders on the other hand can mess up a cranks action especially if you like to stall it out once in a while. My compramise is to tie direct using a leader of the heaviest fire line that I can get my hands on. That stuff is very cut resistant. I still loose the odd crank but catch a lot more fish. The best knot to use is a Rapala knot or other open loop type knot that will allow the crank to perform like it was designed to. Even the smallest snap or piece of hardware can make your crank nose heavey.