While rigging up our new C&H Black Mamba lures to fish in the White Marlin Open, Charles Perry suggested that we use some braided cable leader on the smaller-sized lures. The 250-pound Loos & Co. cable's (www.loosco.com) thin diameter and supple flexibility won't hinder the way the lures would run, and its great abrasion resistance and strength would give us a fair chance if a big blue ate one as well.
Since we were using wind-on leaders, we only needed short, 5-foot sections of cable to make the hook-set for each lure. After cutting the 250- pound braided wire to the desired length, you pass one end through the head of the lure and then slide on two crimps. Now pass the end through a single hook (an 8/0 for our little Mambas), and thread the tag back through both crimps again, pulling out enough length to almost match the length of the lure's skirts. Lay the un-crimped rig next to the lure to make sure you are putting the hook where you want it (we prefer to have the eye of the hook just inside the skirt) and crimp. The first crimp will contact the back of the lure head and act as a stopper to keep the hook in the position you desire.
If you want to stiffen the rig a bit, you can twist the tag end against the main line a few times before crimping or wrap the rig with some tape.
Dave Ferrell
Orlando, Florida
