Gamefishing Strategies: To Clip, or not to Clip
Gamefishing Strategies: To Clip, or not to Clip – a long and healthy debate has flown strongly concerning the use of line clips as your terminal join. Luckily there are many options these days so let’s take a look through together.
For anglers, the pursuit of the perfect presentation often boils down to the smallest details – and few components spark as much lively debate as the terminal connection. Specifically, the use of line clips. While traditionally viewed with skepticism by purists, modern clip technology offers compelling advantages, making it essential to revisit the age-old question: To clip, or not to clip?
The Classic Approach vs. Modern Convenience
In the realm of game fishing, the mantra has always been “less is more” when it comes to terminal tackle. The more streamlined and discreet your connection, the more natural your lure’s action and the less wary your target fish. A clean double line to leader to lure setup remains the gold standard for many, minimizing visibility and potential points of failure.
However, the undeniable allure of the fishing clip lies in its sheer convenience. Imagine being able to swiftly switch between lures to match changing conditions or target species without re-tying a complex knot. This speed can be a game-changer when fish are actively feeding, or when time on the water is precious.
A Closer Look at Traditional Clips
The accompanying image showcasing a well-tied leader on a light tackle spinning outfit, rigged with a Mydo Luck Shot Mini #1, perfectly illustrates the use of a more robust, traditional clip. These designs, reminiscent of the Aftco clips popular in the 80s, offer a quick-change solution.
Advantages of Traditional Clips:
- Rapid Lure Changes: This is arguably the biggest benefit, allowing you to adapt quickly to fishing conditions.
- Versatile Connection: Can be clipped directly to a lure eye or used in conjunction with a swivel and trace.
Disadvantages of Traditional Clips:
- Action Inhibition: Some lure designs may have their natural swimming action hindered by the clip’s presence.
- Vulnerability to Damage: Aggressive fish can sometimes bite the clip open during a fight, leading to lost tackle and fish.
- Material Quality: Budget clips made from inferior materials are prone to bending or opening under stress.
- Increased Visibility: The additional form factor can make the terminal tackle more noticeable to wary fish.
- Tangle Risk: Protruding ends can occasionally snag, leading to unwanted tangles.
Despite these drawbacks, the speed of lure changes remains a powerful argument in favor of clips, especially when applied strategically. Fortunately, advancements in material science and design have led to a new generation of terminal tackle.
Enter the “Convenience Clip”: A Game Changer
Modern clip technology has addressed many of the traditional clip’s shortcomings, giving rise to the highly efficient “convenience clip.” This innovative design, often tiny yet formidable when crafted from high-quality spring steel, redefines the role of a fishing clip.
Key Advantages of the Convenience Clip:
- Superior Lure Action: Its symmetrical design ensures lures swim true and unimpeded, maintaining their intended action.
- Unerring Strength: When made from quality spring steel, these clips are incredibly strong and reliable.
- Rapid Lure Changes: Retains the core benefit of quick lure swaps.
- Minimal Visibility: The tiny form factor makes it far less prominent and almost invisible on most lures, crucial for clear water or finicky fish.
- Bite-Proof Design: Uniquely, this clip design actually closes more under strong pressure, making it virtually impossible for fish to bite open during a tussle. This is a significant improvement over older designs.
The “Dusta Clip” Innovation:
Taking versatility further, the convenience clip can even be dressed with fly-fishing material, enhancing its aesthetics and potentially adding to its attraction. When adorned in this manner, it transforms into the “Dusta Clip,” blurring the lines between terminal tackle and lure itself. It’s so effective that you can even attach a bare hook to it and catch fish!
Important Consideration for Swivel Use:
While incredibly versatile, a word of caution is warranted when connecting directly to a swivel. Aggressive pelagic species like kawa kawa (mackerel tuna) are known to target swivels during a feeding frenzy. If using a convenience clip with a swivel, particularly in such situations, opt for a plain clip rather than a dressed “Dusta Clip” to minimize its visual appeal as a bite target, protecting your leader from those sharp teeth.
MYDO’s Innovation: Integrating the Convenience Clip
At MYDO, we’ve embraced the convenience clip’s potential, integrating it directly into our popular Mydo Silver Bullet range. This means that alongside our IGFA-compliant versions, anglers now have the option of lures pre-equipped with these highly efficient clips, covering a wide array of fishing styles and preferences.
We are continuously refining our designs. While current convenience clips have proven highly effective, we are actively testing increased wire diameters to achieve the optimal balance of strength and user-friendliness, ensuring MYDO continues to deliver cutting-edge terminal solutions.
The convenience clip represents a significant leap forward in terminal tackle, offering a powerful blend of speed, stealth, and reliability. For the modern angler, it’s no longer a question of whether to clip, but rather, which advanced clip best suits the challenge at hand.
The main advantage being that you can pre-prepare a bunch of baits on droppers, and simply replace your old bait with a fresh one via the clippety-clip. This really will count in your favour when the bite is on.
Where to Buy
If you are from South Africa or surrounds, please use https://thesardine.co.za/mydo to order. But best is to get in touch with me Sean, directly. I am on umzimkulu@gmail.com or WhatsApp +27793269671. And this goes for international orders more specifically. Let’s chat through your target species and area, we will advise you and supply you with the kit exactly for what you need.
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