A Dacron loop is a great long term alternative to using a rubber band when running lures in an outrigger. Dacron loops are most often used when fishing heavier 50- to 130-pound lines.
You'll need the correct diameter Dacron line to match the diameter monofilament you're running, a bait rigging needle, a lighter and a short piece of wire you can bend in half to help make the loop. In this instance, 130-pound class monofilament is matched with 200-pound Dacron for the loops.
Start by cutting off a 1 1/2-foot (half-meter) piece of Dacron. Take the bent end of the wire and slide it up through the center of the hollow line.
Guide the bent end of the wire to the middle of the Dacron line. Once you've reached the middle, poke the end of the bent wire out through the side of the line.
Take the opposite end of the Dacron length and run it inside the bend of the wire.
With the end of the Dacron line inside the bend of the wire, pull the wire back through the line.
Keep sliding the line until you form a loop. Smaller loops are usually better as they won't catch on the rod guides.
Once you are happy with the size of your loop you should see the bent end of wire holding sticking out the end of the Dacron line.
Use scissors and clip the two lines where they meet.
Slide your bait needle into the center Dacron piece. The bait needle only needs to run a short distance into the center of the line.
With the bait needle inside the end of the dacron use a lighter and very lightly burn the end of the dacron. This will keep the dacron material from coming undone and will hold the hole open. Only lightly burn the end because too much burnt Dacron will harden and can damage your fishing line when you slide it through.
Before tying anything (like a snap swivel) on the end of a line you must slide the Dacron loop onto the line. Burn the end of the fishing line to round the tip. Take the line and insert it into the inner Dacron from the loop end first as shown.
Be patient as you guide the monofilament line through the center of the Dacron line. As soon as the end of the fishing line comes out the end of the Dacron line you can slide it up the fishing line into the general position where the loop will be set in the outrigger.
Once you place the Dacron loop close to where you'd like it to run it, some light dental floss will be needed to pinch the end of the dacron to the line. Waxed dental floss work well.
4 to 6 half hitches with the dental floss will usually hold the loop in place well, but be careful not to over tighten the floss or the dacron loop won't be able to be moved up and down the line when you want to adjusting distance of the lure. If the floss is too loose, the dacron wont grab the fishing line and will slide instead of remaining in place under the pressure of the lure and strikes from fish.
Snip the ends of the floss off the dacron and you should be ready to go. To keep any floss from coming unravelled a little bit of super glue helps- but isn't always necessary.
Your finished Dacron loop should look something this.........
Trolling with Dacron loops help you clear lines quickly after strikes, and also help when setting lures back out as you will be able to set them back out in exactly the same position every time
