The haywire is a great universal connection for joining single-strand, hardwire, steel leader to lures and swivels. Hardwire (also referred to as piano wire) is a very common leader material for us here in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Its cheap, readily accessible, durable and easy to use.

See Haywire rigging video!

The keys to success with the Haywire are as follows:

• Make sure both strands are wrapped around each other as opposed to one wrapped around the other
• The first two wraps are the most important…they lock in the connection
• Properly break off the end so as to not leave a dangerous bur on the end of the barrel wraps.
• Always look away or use eye protection when cutting hardwire with a wire cutter.
• Beware of kinks in the wire…they are its downfall!

To properly make a haywire, you will have to bend the two wires evenly around each other. If one wire is twisted around the other, then the wire will function as a tightening knot and will eventually pop when it slides down itself to the eye of the hook.

To make the wraps even, its easiest to hold the two wire ends 180 degrees apart while making your bends. This will make sure that both wires are wrapping around each other. I like to try and bend the two wires while holding the swivel or lure eye still. That usually makes the best looking wraps.

After you have at least two good wraps (although I usually like a couple more), you can start making your barrel wraps. These really don’t function to make the connection more secure, they just finish it off. Once several are completed, make sure to break it off properly. To do this, bend the tag end 180 degrees against itself…right at the barrel turns. It may take several turns to break off. This method will break the wire so it leaves no sharp end sticking out from the barrel turns.