Where the bend of the hook sits within the skirt of a lure is important. There are a number of rigging options to properly position the hook in a lure, but we’ll chat more about the specifics of that tomorrow, and as you will see some methods are better than others.

There are two options when it comes to positioning the rear hook: having the bend of the hook even with the bottom of the skirt, or having the bend positioned past the skirt somewhat. It is important to note this second position is IGFA legal as long as the point is not exposed.

And depending on who you talk to, people will say one way is better than the other. I’ve had equal success with both hook positions, so either is fine in my book.

Tomorrow we’ll talk about different ways of rigging lures in the different positions.

There a few methods to use when creating a stop on the lure leader to correctly position a hook within the skirt. From the simple to the elaborate, you’ve got some options to choose from.

The first method would be to just lay the hook and leader where you want it and crimp a stop just behind the lure head.

Similarly, if you want to add beads to the leader just slide them on and again measure where the stop should be crimped onto the leader.

Another method would be to twist the leader so it forms a double line and crimp it by the head. This will not only correctly position the hook but will also provide extra protection where it’s needed most.

For light lures you can add an egg weight to the leader as part of the stop along with the leader crimp.

If the skirt is long enough cable can also be used.

And for a lure that will have double hooks the measuring process is the same.

So you’ve got options.  Lots of people have an opinion on which is “better” or “worse.”  You use the one that works best for you.

You can’t compare any other spreader bar on the market to a Tournament Cable Spreader Bar. There is simply no comparison. No other bar can even come close when it comes to the quality of the materials and rigging.

Today we’ll talk about hub design – as you can see we have a precision machined hub of stainless steel. Most other bars on the market are either a small piece of plastic with holes drilled in it, or even an egg sinker.

In the above pictures, the two competitor bars (to the right) show the center line running right through their version of a hub. The line is then crimped on both sides to secure it in place. That would be great, but crimps on a center line weaken and lessen the break strength of the mono of that line. It may seem more efficient, but ultimately it works against you.

In order to maintain connection strength, Tournament Cable spreader bar hubs (on the left) incorporate a 300lb Aussie swivel for the center line connection. Your snap goes right to the head of the hub, and the center line is attached to the Aussie Swivel. That means less lost fish, and a longer lasting bar.

Quality is definitely a focal point here at Tournament Cable, and we hope that shows through our products, and the pride we take in them. Continuing on the spreader bar comparison, we’d like to take a little time to compare teaser connections.

Teaser connections, in theory, can be made of any way you need to. Any port in a storm. Does that make them good connections, or a good idea? No. On this competitor’s bar the end connection is nothing more than a household stainless screw eye crimped on the bar. Is it a connection point? Yes. Is it a good one? You tell me.

Tournament Cable bars have swivel sleeves tightly crimped as their connection points. These components are specifically designed and made to provide the strongest, sturdiest connection possible for your teaser baits. Yes, any port in a storm works when you’re in a storm. But when you’ve got the time and ability to do it right for just a little extra – do it right.

And lastly, as a preventative measure to prevent scratching the boat or someone’s eye during the end-game, Tournament Cable presses on vinyl cap protectors. It just makes sense.

At the present time we offer bars with either 3/32” Medium flex or 1/8” Heavy flex. Both come in various lengths and both in Titanium.

Medium Flex (3/32″) is for lighter teasers baits such as the small Tuna Bits or 9” Shell Squids etc.

The Heavy Flex (1/8″) is for heavier teasers baits, such as large Tuna Bits or the full body 9” squids.

It is important to match the correct flex to the correct baits on your bar. Incorrectly matching will make your bar either bend and tangle, or crab-walk.

If you’d like to check out a video on bar rigging a couple years ago, you can check that out here –