Hard-core offshore anglers often utilize loops on their fishing lines. These loops aren't the result of lines that were badly twisted by trolling without swivels, but rather they are waxed-thread markers and attachment points positioned securely to fishing lines at precise intervals.
These loops may be attached to outrigger clips to ensure trolling baits and lures ride at specific distances behind the boat, or they may secure weights or lights to fishing lines, such as when drifting for swordfish, sharks or tuna. Streamlined loopless markers serve as visual indicators as to how many feet or yards of line are off the reel and lend the precision required when wire-line trolling for wahoo and grouper, and even drifting for big game fish. Both looped and loopless markers play an instrumental role in offshore fishing.
Harry Vernon III likes to get looped when he's fishing, figuratively. A proprietor of Capt. Harry's Fishing Supply in Miami, Vernon uses loops to attach his fishing lines to outrigger clips, as well as weights and lights to his swordfish tackle. Nicknamed the Wire-Line Wizard, Vernon also uses loopless markers at 50- and 100-foot increments on his wire outfits so, whether he's pulling fast for wahoo or moderately for grouper, he knows exactly how much wire line is in the water. This helps him compute just how deep the lure is riding given the weight and amount of wire line in the water, the weight of the lure and the speed of the boat. He's deadly precise and has the catches to prove it. In fact, he's fresh off a victory in a Bahamas winter wahoo tournament.
Hang on Loopy
Vernon explains how to create and tie a marker onto a fishing line where it won't slip or fail. Master the following steps and you too can set your baits with precision accuracy.
For wahoo, after the initial 100-foot marker, Vernon marks his wire line in 50-foot increments. In addition to color-coding them, he ties a 2-inch marker every 100 feet and a 1-inch marker at every 50 feet. This arrangement provides color and size to help him quickly determine the amount of line in the water.