Predatory fish leaders made of nickel-titanium alloys (NiTi) are becoming increasingly popular - mainly because of their unique property of always springing back to their former state even after severe bending. However, sometimes problems occur when "connecting" these nickel-titanium wires with swivels, karabiners, etc. - the load-bearing capacity often varies greatly!
On the one hand, this is due to the sharp edges of the clamping sleeve used. If this clamping sleeve is squeezed too much, there is a risk of a notch effect at the end of the sleeve and thus a reduction in the load-bearing capacity. On the other hand - if the squeezing is too weak, there is a risk of slippage, which also leads to a reduction in load capacity.
STROFT NiTi Monowire and STROFT NiTi Polywire solve these problems and are therefore the first choice when it comes to the ultimate predator fishing leader. The connections are quick and easy to make. No additional ferrules, no crimping pliers - a simple, easy to tie clinch knot with 4 wraps is the solution - and with STROFT NiTi (with the thinner wires) this can even achieve a carrying capacity of up to 100% of the linear carrying capacity! This was made possible by a very specific tuning of the alloy composition to those properties that are desired for predatory fish leaders - namely: highest bite strength, super elasticity, optimum (easy) knotability, best possible shape memory, maximum carrying capacity/highest knot carrying capacity, sufficient stretchability (8%) and reflection-free surface.
STROFT NiTi Monowire and STROFT NiTi Polywire fulfil all these properties in an optimal way. A 0.20 mm STROFT NiTi Monowire, for example, has a load-bearing capacity of 4.2 kg, which is almost reached even in the clinch knot! Monowire is generally stiffer than polywire, which consists of several individual wires. Therefore, if you want to use the clinch knot, you should choose STROFT Polywire from a diameter of 0.30 mm (because STROFT Monowire then becomes quite stiff). The clinch knot with STROFT Polywire can still be tied well with a diameter of 0.60 mm. However, if 0.35 or 0.40 mm STROFT Monowire is to be used (for example, because a very stiff leader is desired), then ferrules are advisable. However, in order to minimise the disadvantages of clamping sleeves mentioned above, it makes sense to "defuse" the relatively sharp inner edge of the clamping sleeve beforehand (e.g. with a 90 degree countersink). Afterwards, a heat-shrinkable sleeve should be pulled over the clamping sleeve to reduce the buckling effect on the sleeve. The clinch knots can of course also be covered with heat shrink tubing, although this is not necessary here for reasons of load-bearing capacity - but perhaps for visual or practical reasons. This can reduce the snagging of water plants, for example.
