Jack Erskine Leader Construction - Barra

[Mak579]

Over the years quite a few people have asked how the Jack Erskine leader is constructed, hopefully the posts below can assist.
(Thanks to Lindsay Dobe from Proserpine Bait and tackle who first introduced me to this setup)

Regards
Matt C

Materials
Mono Leader - I use 80lb Penn 10x or 80lb Stren
Crimps or Alum sleeves - make sure they're for mono and not wire
Halco cross lock snap - 50lb (I think)
Plastic tubing and bead - a lot of people use the beads and tubing when fishing for whiting.

Tools
try to use the proper crimpers if you can.

[Mak579]

The first stage is making the loop with the tube and snap.

Thread 20-30mm of tubing onto the mono leader along with the Cross lock snap and a sleeve.

[Mak579]

Double the mono back through the sleeve, the tubing and snap should be in the loop created, then tighten the loop so that the tubing is flush with the sleeve on both sides.Make sure you have at least a foot of mono on your tag side and then crimp the sleeve.(It's important that the loop you've created allows free movement of the cross locksnap, so not too small!)

[Mak579]

The second stage is the twist.

If I've explained things correctly, coming out of the sleeve is two lengths of mono, one about a foot long and the other (which is the main leader line) 6-8foot, which you twist together.

I do that by grabbing a mono line in each hand between thumb and forefinger and then rolling them between thumb and finger so the mono ends up binding together( a bit like rope).

The twisted section need only be around 20cm so once it's twisted to that length, and with the twists being neat and relatively tight, slide on another sleeve and crimp.

(In the original post I mentioned hanging the leader on nail by the snap, it may be easier to just to let it twist naturally, keep the tag ends 90 degrees to the twist ensures tight twists, as in pic)

[Mak579]

Trim the tag end flush with the last sleeve, thread the bead on the leader before tying onto the mainline, this stops the sleeve going throught the top eyelet.

[Mak579]

The finished product!

Construction only took a couple of minutes, make up a few before you head out as they still get quite chaffed and need replacing.

As I said earlier, I don't think there's one particular leader to suit all types of fishing but, if you were chasing the fish of a life time, this one would be my choice, it hasn't let me down......yet! ::)

Good luck guys,
Matt C

[Barraboy7]

Thanks mate thats great. Wow what a comprehensive answer to my request.I will make a few up. heading up for few dys next week, hope to nail a few.
Cheers
Barry

[GPB]

Is the bead used just as rod eyelet protection, or something else?:-/

[Mak579]

GPB,

Rod eyelet protectection, especially at night!

Barraboy7,

No worries, tight lines

Matt C

[Lovey80]

Good work mate excelent thread.

Cheers Chris

[NormC]

These are great leaders and I've used them on and off for a couple of years.
Only trouble is, I have not been able to use a Tackle Back with them. The tackle Back is probably catching on the crimp and won't go down to hook on the lure.

Any JE Twisted Leader users got any hints on this?

Norm C

[pegasus]

Matt,

many thanks- great thread

[Roo]

Now i get it!

[Peter4]

These are great leaders and I've used them on and off for a couple of years.
Only trouble is, I have not been able to use a Tackle Back with them. The tackle Back is probably catching on the crimp and won't go down to hook on the lure.

Any JE Twisted Leader users got any hints on this?

Norm C

Invest $130 in a Strikeback lure retriever! This is a flexible fibreglass pole that can slide down the line - much better than a Tackle Back.

Mine paid for itself on its first trip to Monduran (before I dropped it into the lake!):'(

Pete

[Hardb8]

Hi Norm C,
Twisted Leaders can also be constructed without the use of a crimp,Or knots within it's lenght.If this method is used,Ya tackle back will slid all the way,Uninhibited to the lure.

Will try and do a post on construction soon.

Cheers.B8.;)

[Mayney]

Hi Norm C,
Twisted Leaders can also be constructed without the use of a crimp,Or knots within it's lenght.If this method is used,Ya tackle back will slid all the way,Uninhibited to the lure.

Will try and do a post on construction soon.

Cheers.B8.;)

Hardb8,

I have been looking for the answer, have you posted it yet?

Cheers

Mayney

[Roo]

the answer is to use a length of leader material roughly double the finished length reqd. Find the middle and double it over and start twisting the same as mentioned above until you have made 1 full length twisted leader. then you can lock the twists by tying a simple overhand knot in the end. this end gets tied to your snap and the loop end can be connected to a double in your mainline via cats paw or similar loop to loop connection. the advantage is the very slim connection to the mainline will cast through the guides super easily, can be easily changed without requiring a new double to be tied and wont inhibit the use of a tackle back.
Cheers Roo.