At some point during the endgame, a deckhand needs to grab a fistful of leader and hang on tight. And for that critically demanding task, a pair of heavy wiring gloves is mandatory. Here are three designs that are up to the challenge.
AFTCO Wire Max Gloves
AFTCO’s popular heavy-duty glove is the Wire Max. It features an outer layer made of Armortex, an Aramid/Kevlar-based fabric that provides outstanding resistance to cuts and abrasion, and the low-friction finish also allows heavy monofilament leader to slip over the fabric without burning into its surface. Closed-cell neoprene adds crush protection, and the palm of the glove incorporates Tacky Grip — a proprietary micro-diamond-finished rubber-coated nylon — for increased traction.
Fish Monkey Beast Master Gloves
Capt. Charles Perry, one of the top deckhands in the sport, helped Fish Monkey design its Beast Master gloves. Kevlar fabric provides cut and puncture resistance, while layers of hard and soft EVA padding keep heavy leaders from crushing the hands. The tips of the thumb, pointer and index fingers are open to allow a deckhand to operate snap swivels and perform other tasks without removing the gloves.
Bo Jenyns Obadu Heavyweight Gloves
Bo Jenyns is a well-known Australian wire man who has leadered dozens of 1,000-pound marlin in his career. His take on the wiring glove is the ultimate in simplicity: a high-quality deerskin glove swathed in a heavy outer layer of cowhide. The Obadu design offers excellent protection while maintaining feel and control, and the leather remains supple even with constant exposure to salt water.
