Hi All,
Regarding the bending of the sinker wires, I also bend the last 15 - 20mm of the wire to improve holding. According to Barry Wareham this is supposed to help in areas where you are standing of high points (like in the Transkei) and conventional grapnel sinker wires don't hold properly.
I ordered a 9oz mould from "Dup" and it holds really well. The only modification that I do is that I lengthen the sinker wire that connects the sinker to the sinker line. This then has an anchor like quality as it elliminates the sinker "spidering" along the surface of the sand if it hasn't lodged in the sand properly. This mean that it always presents the grapnels at the correct angle to ensure the grapnels start to sink in. I make sure though that I splay the wires to about 20 - 30 degree angle and that the wire angels are as tight and secure as possible against the sinker grooves. I also let the sinker sit for at least 3 - 4 min before sliding. If the sinker does dislodge while sliding the bait it is them best to reduce the tension on the line and wait for the sinker to sit properly before continuing to slide the bait.
From my experience these three modifications definately help - I have never had a sinker that has come loose before without some serious strain of trying to pull it out.
Regarding the bending of the sinker wires, I also bend the last 15 - 20mm of the wire to improve holding. According to Barry Wareham this is supposed to help in areas where you are standing of high points (like in the Transkei) and conventional grapnel sinker wires don't hold properly.
I ordered a 9oz mould from "Dup" and it holds really well. The only modification that I do is that I lengthen the sinker wire that connects the sinker to the sinker line. This then has an anchor like quality as it elliminates the sinker "spidering" along the surface of the sand if it hasn't lodged in the sand properly. This mean that it always presents the grapnels at the correct angle to ensure the grapnels start to sink in. I make sure though that I splay the wires to about 20 - 30 degree angle and that the wire angels are as tight and secure as possible against the sinker grooves. I also let the sinker sit for at least 3 - 4 min before sliding. If the sinker does dislodge while sliding the bait it is them best to reduce the tension on the line and wait for the sinker to sit properly before continuing to slide the bait.
From my experience these three modifications definately help - I have never had a sinker that has come loose before without some serious strain of trying to pull it out.