Single-strand wire leaders are how you beat the teeth of bluefish, wahoo, sharks and king mackerel, but you cannot tie a normal knot in stiff wire, it slips and fails. The haywire twist is the connection built specifically for wire: a twisted section plus barrel wraps that lock a hook or swivel on permanently.
When and why to use it
Use the haywire twist any time you rig a single-strand wire leader: a hook or swivel for high-speed trolling wahoo, a shark rig, or a bite trace for big bluefish. It is the standard, proven wire connection, strong, compact, and reliable where no ordinary knot would hold.
How it works
You pass the wire through the eye, then make several symmetrical twists where both wires cross over each other equally (this is the part that holds), followed by several tight barrel wraps up the standing wire. You finish by breaking off the tag with a “crank handle” motion (never by cutting, which leaves a dangerous sharp burr) so it snaps off flush.