Nifty Lynx Tool Proves Better Than Any Knot!
AN innovative hand tool designed by an English angler looks set to forever change how Aussie fishos rig up for species ranging from marlin to snapper.
Last week Fisho spent a couple of days with Andy Petherick and David Scott from Lynx Fishing. Founded by Petherick in 2009, Lynx has to date specialised in designing and manufacturing wire, mono and fluorocarbon rigs for European “predator” and sea fishing.
According to Petherick, European sportfishermen targeting pike and zander have “traditionally used wire rigs that weren’t particularly neat or strong”. After using and being dissatisfied with these inferior rigs, Petherick set out to create a “better way” to make the leader systems used for these popular northern hemisphere sportfish.
After much trial and error, he came up with an idea he called Precision Compression Technology. This achieves 100 per cent strength with wire, nylon, titanium and fluorocarbon. Petherick also mentioned Lynx is developing a 100 per cent rigging system for braid.
Since then, Lynx has mass-produced a range of rigs to cover fresh and saltwater fishing in Europe and North America.
The unique aspect of the Lynx rigs – which won the prestigious “best innovation award” at the 2012 European tackle show – is that they incorporate a high-tech compression system which guarantees 100 per cent connection strength.
While the pre-made rigs have proven popular in their target markets, the imminent release of a hand tool which allows anglers to make their own 100 per cent strong rigs looks set to propel Lynx to the world stage.
Due for its international release at the 2014 AFTA tackle show on the Gold Coast in late June, the Lynx Precision Tool has the potential to radically change how anglers construct rigs for lure and bait fishing.
A Lynx connection used on a trolling skirt.
Although it works via different principles, the system can best be described as “high tech crimping” or “a super crimp”. Unlike standard crimps, which are commonly used in game fishing, the Lynx system doesn’t “squash” the line. Rather, it uses highly precise technology to create extremely strong connections suitable for both heavy and light tackle applications.
According to Petherick, the tool to be launched in June is Size 1 and is suitable for mono, fluoro and wire (single and multi-strand) from about 10-90lbs. Different sized tools which will handle lines from 2lb to 400lb are in the piepline. The tools are supplied with a variety of “gauges” to handle differing line diameters.
The tool works via a cam and roller energy generation system that Petherick says is accurate to +/- 0.01mm. The tool is effortless to use yet transmits 2.1 tonnes of force to neatly compress a custom designed steel tube onto the line or wire. Despite the huge force it generates, it is very easy to operate. The tubes that the system uses are made from a specialist alloy that cannot be “crimped” in the normal way. I tried – they are just too strong for normal crimping pliers.
This tube, which is welded to either the shank of a hook or a clip, ring or swivel, provides a connection which Lynx says is “guaranteed” to be 100 per cent of the line’s stated capacity.
Along with its pre-made rigs and the tool, Lynx offers a range of lines plus hooks (singles, circles and trebles), swivels and clips to cover most forms of fishing. The hooks in the Lynx range will be sourced from a major international hook company to ensure quality and strength. Non-Lynx lines can also be used with the tools being packed with a credit card-sized gauge to allow selection of the correct line guide. Lynx is currently seeking to work with high profile Aussie fishos to develop specific product suited to our fish and fishing conditions.
Andy Petherick setting up the line tester.
Fisho tested the Lynx claims of 100 per cent connection strength using a digital line-testing machine. Using 30lb line supplied by Lynx, we tied a series of knots and tested their strength before using the Lynx tool to create a connection in the same line.
In our tests, a Locked Blood Knot broke at 11.3lbs and a five turn Uni Knot broke at 20.16lbs. The Lynx connection broke at 28lbs.
According to Petherick, the 30lb line was likely to break anywhere between 28 and 32lbs due to manufacturing tolerances typical with nylon.
To get further independent verification of the Lynx system, we took the line tester and Precision Tool to McCallum’s Tackle World in Nowra and to The Compleat Angler store in South Nowra. Staff at both tackle shops compared their favourite knots against the connections made by the Lynx tool. In all but one case, the knots broke well below the stated 30lb breaking strain while the Lynx connection consistently broke within the 28-32lb ranges.
A “secret” knot tied by Dave Blackman at The Compleat Angler broke at 28lbs. According to Petherick, most anglers don’t know how variable their knots are. “While one knot may break at or just under a line’s stated capacity, the next one you tied might break at half or even less. You can’t create exactly the same knot every time. But the Precision Tool allows for perfect connections again and again.”
A bonito caught on a hook rigged with the Lynx system. The first fish in the southern hemisphere caught via Lynx product!
It was interesting to see the reaction of the tackle shop guys to the Lynx system. The initial response was that it was just a different way to crimp. After the knot testing demo and the clear superiority of the connections made by the Lynx tool, the tackle experts enthusiastically began discussing different applications for it. Gav McCallum said there were obvious uses for the tool in game fishing, especially in making circle hook rigs for tuna, live bait rigs for marlin and connecting a ball bearing snap to the end of a wind on leader. Tim Francis from The Compleat Angler also highlighted the tool’s suitability for making game fishing rigs and saw significant potential when making rigs for kings, snapper and mulloway.
A completed Lynx connection (middle) which in testing proved to have superior strength to standard knotted rigs as pictured on either side.
When Petherick demonstrated the test to the staff at the Tackle World store, the line broke at exactly 30lbs and the line broke in the middle. The join was actually stronger than the line.
Fisho sees major advantages in this system for anglers making wire rigs for sharks, mackerel and wahoo. The neat yet strong connections seem to be far more superior to standard crimping methods, although it needs to be noted that the Size 1 tool that will be launched in June is not suitable for the heavy traces used for shark fishing. That said, it seems to be ideal for use with wire rigs used when trolling, spinning and bait fishing for the “fang gang”.
While Haywire Twists are an effective connection for the single strand wire used for this style of fishing, it would seem that the Lynx tool is a far quicker and easier way to construct these traces.
Although the tool is currently suitable for line as light as 10lb, and upcoming versions will be able to handle much lighter lines, it will be interesting to see if the tool is embraced by anglers targeting species like bream, bass and whiting.
At this stage, Fisho sees the Lynx tool having most appeal to game and sportfishermen targeting a diverse list of species. Being able to quickly and efficiently make rigs that are 100 per cent strong will have major appeal for any angler chasing big fish.
It’s expected that the Lynx tool will retail for well under $200. The tool will be sold as a kit with a sample selection of hooks, clips, swivels and rings. A range of terminals covering all forms of fishing will be sold separately. It’s expected that Lynx terminals would retail for much the same price as similar traditional products. For example, Fisho understands that a pack of premium Lynx hooks would be around the same retail price as similar product from any of the major hook companies.
As well as the tool, Lynx will be distributing a range of pre-made rigs designed for Aussie fish and conditions. Unlike most pre-made rigs currently on the market, the Lynx rigs will be marketed as being high quality with 100 per cent line class connections and top shelf components.
NZ-based David Scott is the Australian, NZ and Japan distributor of Lynx product. He can be contacted at dscott@lynx-fishing.co.nz for any trade-related info prior to this year’s AFTA show. Meantime, find out more about Lynx HERE. Note that tool is not on the website yet but we’ve got access to some preview videos you can watch below.
