Leader
Trace wire
How to fish a trace wire for Spinning, Trolling, Live Baiting.
Characteristics
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Visibility
High
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Abrasion
Very high
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Stretch
None
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Sink rate
Fast
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Memory
Low
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Habitats
Freshwater, Saltwater, Brackish
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Methods
Spinning, Trolling, Live Baiting
Short wire trace
Flexible steel cable prevents toothy fish from biting off the lure.
Crimps
Metal sleeves securely clamp the looped wire ends into place.
Snap
Interlocking wire fastener allows anglers to change lures quickly.
What fish can you catch with a trace wire?
What is a trace wire used for?
A trace is a short metal or heavy hooklength on bait rigs, especially boat and beach traces.
How is a trace wire different from similar gear?
The hooklength on a paternoster or similar — not a spinning lure leader and not a fly tippet.
When should you use a trace wire?
Use it for bottom fishing and surf rigs when the hooklength must take teeth, scrapes, or a rotten-bottom break.
What problems does a trace wire solve?
It lets you replace the hook end without rebuilding the whole rig, and it can be the weak link you choose.
Trace wire size chart
Common sizes and ratings for this part of the kit.
- 0.25 mm 10 kg 15 cm
- 0.35 mm 18 kg 20 cm
- 0.45 mm 28 kg 25 cm