crawler harnesses quick changes

[wakina]

I no longer use any of the quick change clevises. The reason is that I lost to many blades for the reasons already alluded to. Instead I started making my harnesses on solid wire about 4 inches long and attach the snelled hooks with a snap.

The harness can be changed as fast as you can change the blade on the quick change clevis maybe quicker. I have several and carry on board between 60 and 80 harnesses that are made up ahead of time since they are easier to store. I also can use the stirrup clevis without worrying that they will wear thru the leader and they also allow a little higher speeds.

I simply use the same leader as I would use for a spoon and switch back and forth on some days. I have not lost a blade since going to this system and have found cost wise that I have been able to actually save money on blades, even though I purchased enough new blades to make all of the extra harnesses. I would have ended up spending the money anyhow just to replace the lost blades. When the hooks go bad I simply unsnap the bad ones and snap on a new set and do not have to retire that harness for the day nor do I have to retie it later. I have not noticed any difference in catch rate with this system either.

Once the wire gets beat up to the point that you feel it is necessary to change it you simply snip the end off and you can reuse all of the components such as beads and blades to make a new one. I know it takes all of the fun out of shopping for new components but it also eliminates the cost of replacement components as well. I buy the new blade patterns in groups of 3 and make them all up to try with different bead combinations, the wires cost less than $.08 each so it is not a high dollar item to remake them if the combination of beads and blades do not work out..