picture from https://www.1027mix.com/?p=2261
Today I will be demonstrating how to setup a Shark trace with photos.
This trace I have successfully used to catch a selection of different species of fish including the world famous South African Daga-salmon.
let’s get started.
The tackle you will need.
• NO. 7 Circle hook
• NO.7 Octopus hook
• 1mm/48kg mono filament
• 2x 7/0 large 2-way barrel swivels
• 6.0oz grapnel/claw sinker
First off start by sliding you’re octopus hook onto the mainline as depicted in the picture below.
Next tie you’re circle hook onto the tip of the main line as seen in the next picture.
Next step tie the barrel swivel onto the main line that will serve a dual purpose of keeping the sinker from sliding to the area of the bait and helping to avoid the line from twisting.
I always cover up the tips of the hooks with corks for safety purposes.
(Chemically sharpened hooks stand up to they’re name)
Next slide you're sinker onto you're main line and attach the main line to the hook trace. See picture below.
As you can see the bait is free running helping with natural movement in the water as well as bite detection , I have seen some anglers using a fixed weight rig where the bait can only move a little bit, getting a run, with the fish not committing, ultimately dropping the bait. Dragging a 9.0oz weight on the first run for a fish is not easy especially with a grapnel that digs in deep in the sand.
I personally love the free sliding hook above the circle hook, especially when using different sizes of bait, its easily adjustable to fit the bait that is available.
This setup can also be changed to incorporate steel wire or cable when targeting fish with teeth like tiger-sharks (highly recommended) as they will just chew through the mono filament resulting in a breakage of the line.
Also i would recommend using Palomar knots with this setup for larger fish species.
I will continue to post different types of traces for different species of fish, so feel free to comment and follow me on my fishing expeditions.
I hope that this was helpful.