How-to Build a Daisy Chain Teaser (step-by-step) with Video
Daisy chain squid teasers are a great way to enhance your trolling lure spread when targeting marlin, tuna, wahoo, and other offshore big game species. They are not difficult to make, but they are much more durable and effective if built properly.
Buying Plastic Squids
We typically recommned using Moldcraft squids. These are tough, durable, easy to rig, and come in a wide variety of colors. We usually build daisy chains consisting of either five 9″ squids or seven 6″ squids.
Daisy Chain Colors
If I had to pick only two colors I would pick pink (the Moldcraft pink contains metal fleck and is beautiful) and natural. However, there is not need to limit yourself to just those two colors. Click here to find a Moldcraft dealer near you.
Squid Teaser Materials
The list of materials is very simple and you can get them from a variety of sources. It is critical you use te best possible materials. These teasers are designed to be used by themselves or with a lure or rigged natural bait behind them. The front of the chain has a Mustad ball bearing swivel so that any twist is not transmitted to the teaser line. The rear of the chain has a Mustad ball bearing snap swivel so that lures, other teasers, or rigged natural baits can be attached.
9″ Squid Teaser Materials
- 5 – 9″ Moldcraft squids
- Spool of 300 or 400lb
- 4 – 1.9mm or 2.2mm single sleeves (used for stops)
- 4 – 1.9mm or 2.2mm double sleeves (used for the front swivel and rear snap swivels)
- 5 – Plastic beads
- 1 – 300 or 400lb Mustad ball bearing swivel (front)
- 1 – 300 or 400lb Mustad ball bearing swivel with snap (rear)
6″ Squid Teaser Materials
- 7 – 6″ Moldcraft squids
- Spool of 130 or 200lb monofilament leader
- 6 – 1.6 or 1.9mm single sleeves (used for stops)
- 6 – 1.6 or 1.9mm double sleeves (used for the front swivel and rear snap swivels)
- 7 – Plastic beads
- 1 – 200lb Mustad ball bearing swivel (front)
- 1 – 200lb Mustad ball bearing swivel with snap (rear)
Captain Andy LoCascio explains how to assemble the teaser
How-to Build Daisy Chain Teaser (step-by-step)
The following steps are required when assembling the teaser. It is critical to slide all the components in place before doing any crimping.
Time requred: About 30 Minutes
Supplies needed:
- monofilament leader
- single crimping sleeves
- double crimping sleeves
- plastic beads
- ball bearing snap swivel
- ball bearing swivel
- rubber/plastic squids
Tools required:
1. Spool out 6-7 feet of leader, but do not cut it at the spool
Monofilament leader is just fine for this. There is no need to use flurocarbon. For 9 inch squids use 300-400lb leader. For 6 inch squids use 130-200lb leader.
2. Slide on a squid (head first), a plastic bead, and a single sleeve
Slide on a squid, bead, and single sleeve (in that order!) but do NOT crimpanything yet. Repeat this step until the all but the last squid are on the leader material. Use a single sleeve size that fits reasonably snug on the leader. The size and color of the pastic bead does not really matter. The bead just needs to fit inside the squid. It is used as a stop for the squid because the sleeve will typically slide right through the squid.
3. Slide on the last squid (head first), a bead and two double sleeves
Once the final squid is on the leader it is time to start crimping the sleeves. The ultimate goal of this step is the end up with a snap-swivel just beyond the tail of the last squid.
4. Pass the leader through the snap swivel twice while making a knot (see video)
The knot is simply the leader being passed twice through the eye of the ball bearing snap swivel. Alternatively, a loop/crimp protector can be used instead of the knot. The goal is to make sure that the eye of the swivel does not eventually cut through the leader material. Be sure the snap swivel is rated at least for the strength of the leader.
5. Pass the leader back through both double sleeves
Be sure to leave enough leader material to make sure the double line section acts as a spacer between the last bead and the end of the squid. Keeping mind that the goal is to have the swivel just protrude from the end of the squid.
6. Push the double sleeve closest to the snap swivel as tight as possible against the loop and crimp it
Alternatively, if you are using a loop/crimp protector, you would be snugging the sleeve up agsinst that.
7. Position the second double sleeve so that it acts as a spacer so that only the snap portion of the snap swivel protrudes from the squid
This is a critical step for positioning the snap swivel. After passing the leader through the second double sleeve, twist the leader between the two sleeves several times. This adds stiffness and additional strength.
8. Slide the last squid tight up against the bead and position the next single sleeve to provide the desired spacing (typically one and a half squids) and crimp
The spacing between the squids is really the choice of the builder. Some fishermen prefer a very long teaser, while others prefer one that is more compact. We personally recommend the one and half squid spacing.
9. Repeat the prior step for all remaining squids
Position and crimp all the remaining squids while leaving at least 3-4 feet of leader material in fron of the first squid. This is useful in case the leader needs to be rerigged in the future.
10. Slide on the remaining two double sleeves
Slide on the two sleeves, but do not crimp anything yet. The leader still needs to be passed through the front swivel.
11. Pass the leader through the swivel twice while making a knot (see video)
The knot is simply the leader being passed twice through the eye of the ball bearing swivel. Alternatively, a loop/crimp protector can be used instead of the knot. The goal is to make sure that the eye of the swivel does not eventually cut through the leader material. Be sure the swivel is rated at least for the strength of the leader.
12. Pass the leader back through both double sleeves
The goal here is to ened up with a 2-4 inch section of twisted double line.
13. Push the double sleeve closest to the swivel as tight as possible against the loop and crimp it
Alternatively, if you are using a loop/crimp protector, you would be snugging the sleeve up agsinst that.
14. Position the second double sleeve two inches from the first sleeve, twist the leader material between the two sleeves and crimp it
This completes the teaser and we recommend tying off one end to a fixed point and testing all the connections.
Squid Teaser Inspection
Because teasers take so much abuse from long hours of being dragged behind the boat it is critical to frequently inspect the connections where the leader passes through the swivels. This is the single most frequent cause of teaser failure and loss. The extra leader in front of the teaser is used so that the lead swivel can be cut off and re-rigged.
By Capt Andy LoCascio - Host of Northeast Angling TV Share your comments on the
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