billfish flies-tying help

[freshwaterpirate]

hello everyone! with the prospect of flyfishing for sailfish in the 80-140lbs range, i've decided to start tying up flies though the trip will not be for another 8 months or more. i've done some reading and it seems that tandem hook billfish flies that measure 8 to 12 inches long, to be casted with a 12wt are the way to go. however, i cant get my mind around how to attach the forward hook to the rear hook, and how can i prevent the fly from fouling.

how is the attachment of the rear hook done?

anyone here catching sailfish consistently on single J hook flies?

thanks!!
FWP

[saltydancindave]

For tandem flies use #60 to 80 lb nylon coated wire to connect the hooks together. Start wire near the bend of the trailing hook & wrap it around the hook shank like it's tying thread; after tying in the tail material & bind it to the hook with #30 lb mono as a tying thread.

[LadyFisher]

Here is the tandem hook instructions from Dr. Fish:
http://flyanglersonline.com/about/mustad/nov.php

[freshwaterpirate]

thank you very much LadyFisher & saltydancingdave! will start tying up some flies soon and post some of my ties... now where are those gamakatsu SL12s?

[joe cool]

You can also buy tandem hook rigs. They are mostly designed for rigging baitfs or lures for trolling, but there should be some out there that you could use for flies as well.

[saltydancindave]

Basically all that's needed is mastering snelling a hook so that the trailing hook tracks straight. #80 lb mono ( sort of the upper limit for sailfishing ) might be a task to snell, as is #7 Malin wire; but with a little practice the knot will look the same as on those Eagle Claw packages of snelled hooks most bait fishers buy.