19 replies to this topic

[Tangled Spool]

Hi all,
quick question here: I'm using a seaguar 12 lb/test special leader material line when fishing salmon; today I went to the river and hit 3 big guys but all of them broke my leader in less than 3 minutes fight....this never happened when used my old spiderwire regular line as leader.
I have to mention that I had to put 2 splitshots due to the light fly i was using and the current was stronger than usual..... when checking the line, it was broken right where the splitshots were; note that I didn't tighten it with pliers, only with my fingers.
I was thinking in a bad leader quality or maybe I'm the one using splitshots when I shouldn't..... Anyone with similar experiences or advise on this issue?
thanks so much.

[pop-vlado]

Not sure what type of leader you are using. Make sure it's a quality line. 12lb line should not break. I use 12lb mono when fishing for salmon and don't use any leader. Finally, make sure your drag is set right and let the fish run when it wants to run.

[NADO]

what lb is your mainline? 12lb is pretty darn strong for leader material and while I would recommend against putting shots on the leader I have done that from time to time without any major issues. Were you maybe using cheap splitshots that have sharp edges or something? It may just be a case of fighting the fish too hard and the weakest point is where the shot is so thats where the line breaks.

[Tangled Spool]

Thanks for the quick reply folks,
pop-vlado, as mentioned I'm using that seaguar special leader line, drag is fine, a bit loose I would say but that's the fun with the salmons...
NADO, main line is also12....why did I get a 12 leader? funny story and well, the store went out of stock and I was in a rush..... but darn is sooo expensive: $10.50 + tax for 25 yds.!!!...suposed to be good quality??? dunno..
BUT you got a point with the splitshots and the sharp edges....hmmmm sounds reasonable...
thank you guys.

[Tangled Spool]

It's the angler and not the line....


I run 6lb lead and have no issues turning the big brutes..*shrugs*

good job!
sigh.......

[NADO]

He was a bit blunt the way he said it but it does sound like that may be the case. 12lb is a very strong leader so it is likely a case of playing the fish too hard. This all comes with time, the more chinny's you have on the more you will learn how to fight and turn them.

Also, it isnt all that uncommon to go 0/3 on chinny's so maybe there isnt any problem at all?

[CJR]

He was a bit blunt the way he said it but it does sound like that may be the case. 12lb is a very strong leader so it is likely a case of playing the fish too hard. This all comes with time, the more chinny's you have on the more you will learn how to fight and turn them.

Also, it isnt all that uncommon to go 0/3 on chinny's so maybe there isnt any problem at all?

This.

Let them run when they want to run, upstream usually makes it easier.

I run 8lb leader and I usually can horse the fish in fairly quick My hook will usually straighten before the leader breaks..and I almost always have a few split shots on mine

Maybe you got a bad batch of material or the leader was getting rubbed against rocks during the fight?

Where is it breaking, in the middle, or by the knots?

[Swing4Steel]

I fished 10 lb leads for chinnies this year . Almost always I clip shot on my leads 6 lb and over. If I break it's rarely at the shot . With the 10 I was popping xxxs swivels before line failure....
What brand of shot were you using?

[Tangled Spool]

Thanks so much to all of you guys...
however I feel in the need to clarify some details in this matter; I've been fishing for years, I'm only new to the forum hehehe; that being said, no, I don't calibrate the drag tighten as hell to lose all the fun and just tow and drag the fish to the shore. I let them run all they want until they get freaking tired; I was using 8 lb/test mono last week as a leader and everything went fine, 4 salmons 1 one week in 3 outings...not perfect but still good, no line breaks at all. Back to my question I was wondering why a really strong leader would break easily being so expensive... I was so disappointed today when the 3 blokes went away with the piercing..... however I think nado has a good point: the freakin splitshots.... hey leakywaders, I was using Water Gremlins splitshots...not sure about the quality of those.

[Tangled Spool]

This.

Let them run when they want to run, upstream usually makes it easier.

I run 8lb leader and I usually can horse the fish in fairly quick My hook will usually straighten before the leader breaks..and I almost always have a few split shots on mine

Maybe you got a bad batch of material or the leader was getting rubbed against rocks during the fight?

Where is it breaking, in the middle, or by the knots?

oh my.....prolly a bad batch...that's another option...I will have to setup a Lab at home
btw, the breaking was around the middle....

[troutddicted]

Sounds like a bad batch my friend, or the split shot fraying your leader or cutting through it. The people at Tightlines tackle in Pickering set me up with Seaguar flouro for salmon fishing out in the lake, hasn't failed me yet, great stuff.

I would like to make a suggestion, next time, pick up either Drennan or Raven flourocarbon, its cheaper and its great stuff.

[georgianbaydrifter]

drennan 5lb is tow rope... i could turn a bus around on that stuff.

[Knuguy]

Sounds like a bad batch my friend, or the split shot fraying your leader or cutting through it. The people at Tightlines tackle in Pickering set me up with Seaguar flouro for salmon fishing out in the lake, hasn't failed me yet, great stuff.

I would like to make a suggestion, next time, pick up either Drennan or Raven flourocarbon, its cheaper and its great stuff.

I understand that fluoro, unlike mono, is quite sensitive to nicks and scratches so that it's inadvisable to put split shot on it.

[CanadianAngler87]

I use 5lbs Jim Vincent Rio: Fluoroflex Plus. Managed to turn a 26lbs chinny in fast water with no problem. I also had split shot on my lead, using 8lbs Siglon (love this line)
as my main line. A bit high in price at 14.95 for 30yds but works great

[NADO]

I use 5lbs Jim Vincent Rio: Fluoroflex Plus. Managed to turn a 26lbs chinny in fast water with no problem. I also had split shot on my lead, using 8lbs Siglon (love this line)
as my main line. A bit high in price at 14.95 for 30yds but works great

U get that Rio stuff at Rainbow Sports? I got the 8lb in that stuff and I was very disappointed, I found that when I had a snag the line would snap so easily every time while trying to get it loose. I found it was breaking way to easily for an 8lb leader. The 4lb and 6lb Phantom leader material I usually use is much stronger.

[danny Moogk]

Not sure why we would be using leaders for salmon? The max we use bottom bouncing is 8 lb mono My favorite for bottom bouncing is Andes. As for float fishing I have had no issues with 8 lb main line and 4-6 lb seguar flourocarbon leaders. Sounds like you have old line or possibly horsing the fish.

[Tangled Spool]

You guys are a living encyclopedia, I learnt a lot here just by reading your responses.
Thanks so much.

[CanadianAngler87]

U get that Rio stuff at Rainbow Sports? I got the 8lb in that stuff and I was very disappointed, I found that when I had a snag the line would snap so easily every time while trying to get it loose. I found it was breaking way to easily for an 8lb leader. The 4lb and 6lb Phantom leader material I usually use is much stronger.

Yupp thats where I got it Rainbow Sports (Support the little stores). I've never had a problem with it using 5lbs test. I dont use a leader casting spoons, and float fishing for salmon I use the light lead in hope there are trout in the area.

[Spinninreel]

My best guess would be the knot you are using. Some knots do not work well with floro so I would consider changing your knot.