Tally Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Could some tell me which screw eyes are better. open or closed eye? stainless or nickel plated brass? It appears to me that a #3 split ring is the most commonly used on bass cranks. Is this correct? Thanks Tally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Tally, Open eyescrews are easier to get the split ring in. Stainless, to me, is best. Nickle plated brass has been known to twist off while screwing them in. I use #2 split rings on most of my baits. Coley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Stainless.... Brass is too soft. I dont use screws, I make my own eyes using stainless steel wire. I make a fish eye bend, loop and twist the tag down to the bottom (thus making a screw) cut it off, screw it in with epoxy. Never had a failure. Chip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemorino Posted December 30, 2003 Report Share Posted December 30, 2003 What gage stainless steel wire would be suitable for making a bait that can handle stripers? And what length eye would you make? Sonny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 31, 2003 Report Share Posted December 31, 2003 .032 -.040 Chip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMI Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 IMHO...it really depends on what you're using the hardware for. As a general rule, you need to make sure the screws are: (1) not off-center (2) Open eyes will be round after closing (3) Have the smallest possible eye diameter (smaller = stronger) (4) Will last..and (5)...and if you're selling them..."look good" is important! Most the lure companies and catalog folks buy their lure screws from a company called "HEB Manufacturing" in Vermont (no...I don't work for them...but they're great folks to deal with). They sell screw eyes, weed guards, etc. in bulk to most of the lure making supply shops and this used to be the company we bought our lure making supplies from for our shop too... Once you get the hardware, there is also a science to the angle that you put the screw into the bait. Contrary to popular belief (and some popular books!) the screw is actually strongest when it goes in at an angle. If you make it perpendicular to the lure, it is weaker than if you it goes in at about 15 degrees off perpendicular...heading in the direction away from the line tie. If it is a tail screw, it should actually point down toward the belly about 15 degrees. Hope that helps! Happy fishing! - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 28, 2008 Report Share Posted February 28, 2008 I twist my screw eyes out of 180 lb test stainless steel leader wire (I think it's .029" dia) and use #2 split rings. How long? Any length screw eye you want to make. I personally don't like the commercial screw eyes because I end up bending the split ring getting it on/off that thicker wire. I think the #2 rings are the size most often found on medium bass baits. You can go down to #1 rings on small baits with #6 or #8 trebles if you like, and you can go up to #3's on big baits like Poe 400's, but I stick with the #2's 90% of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
