How to stop your hooklinks twisting
Big fish angler Mark Bryant answers your top rig-related questions and this time focuses on twisting hooklinks
I have noticed my hooklength braids can twist occasionally. Is it a problem?
In short, yes and no. If your rig twisted up on the lakebed this will ruin your rig mechanics and without a doubt cost you a few extra fish on the bank. Braid by its very nature can spin, twist and generally do all manner of things as it’s being cast out or wound back in. That’s the trade off for using such a supple product. Notice I said wound back in? This can account for a lot of the spin up and this spin up is enhanced if you are using double baits like tiger nuts (back-to-back) or barrels as they tend to spin on the retrieve back to the bank. I would say this is where 90% of the spinning occurs so don’t be too alarmed when you bring the rig back in as this has probably happened then and not on the cast.
If you can get into the habit of watching the hookbait during the cast this will soon tell you when the problem is occurring. If you are fishing deep water, 15ft plus, then I have known baits to spin a little on decent but not that much. Making sure you have free running swivels will help and possibly the addition of a stringer/Stick will help eliminate the spinning. As I have said, though, 90% is on the retrieve.