Leader Length, How Long?

[Porkpie]

I can't speak for the other guy, but I run 10lb main, with 18 inches of lead. I run no shot on my leader, and I don't use shot lines. Line, swivel, leader and that's it! Never made a difference to my catch rate. Before fluorocarbon we used to run 6-8lb main and 3lb leads consistently in clear water, occasionally dropping to 2lb in the clearest conditions. Nowadays I can practically yank fish out of the water... LOL! If you use clear lines, you don't need shot lines, they are just another pain in the ass!

 

[apz245]

I can't speak for the other guy, but I run 10lb main, with 18 inches of lead. I run no shot on my leader, and I don't use shot lines. Line, swivel, leader. Never made a difference to my catch rate. Before fluorocarbon we used to run 6-8lb main and 3lb leads consistently in clear water, occasionally dropping to 2lb in the clearest conditions. Nowadays I can practically yank fish out of the water... LOL! If you use clear lines, you don't need shot lines, they are just another pain in the ass!

sorry for being a such a noob, but what do you mean you don't use shot lines? meaning you don't use split shots at all? or you don't use a separate line for shots? as i've seen in some setups online

 

[hightechdecks]

10 or 12 main......... float... 75% of weight.... swivel.... 2'-3' 8 #floro shot line 25 %weight.....uniknot.... 1' 4# floro..... #10hook...... generally i use all 8# floro under the float then just add or remove lengths of 6# or 4# to adjust for depth

 

[fishing89]

great info, really glad i started this topic lol

I have changed my set up since, to:

10lb mono directly tied in uni knot to a 24" 5.6lb fluro leader, Float will be on main line, along with the weights

Im scared to go to a lesser leader...using anything less than 5 lbs makes me think it will just snap as soon as the fish bites

 

[apz245]

i've tried with a long leader with no shots but I find it only sinks properly if the current is really slow, in a fast current the bait wont get to the bottom

 

[apz245]

great info, really glad i started this topic lol

I have changed my set up since, to:

10lb mono directly tied in uni knot to a 24" 5.6lb fluro leader, Float will be on main line, along with the weights

Im scared to go to a lesser leader...using anything less than 5 lbs makes me think it will just snap as soon as the fish bites

let me know how it works, i've had problems with this in faster flows, im a noob also btw

 

[goodentight]

LOL :lol:

 

[goodentight]

Ok guys. Be scared to put shot on your leader. What the heck do I know :lol:

 

[goodentight]

A little bit of science comes to play here, almost no matter what your bait is going to have some degree of weight to it, keeping it lower then your shot, even when you're running a "floating" berkely worm, your hook will almost be enough to keep it below your swivel.

If you're using a hook that will freely counter balance, and sink, a floating worm, wow are you ever doing it wrong. :lol:

 

[hightechdecks]

longer rods with lower power are well suited to fishing the very light leaders

 

[Porkpie]

sorry for being a such a noob, but what do you mean you don't use shot lines? meaning you don't use split shots at all? or you don't use a separate line for shots? as i've seen in some setups online

Yes I use split shots, lots of them actually, as I use fairly big floats. I just don't go to the trouble of shot lines. I consider them an unnesecary step. I load all my split shot on my main line, and then just tie on a leader and a swivel. Don't apologize for asking honest questions. Everyone has em, or had em at one point!

 

[iJay]

People who use leaders and bottom bounce should be shot LOL

The leader is put on in efforts to present the bait to the fish without the line being dectected. Bottom bouncing defeats this as most times in moderate to slower moving currents the bait will move slower thru the water than the line, the line often will touch the fish before bait has presented itself.

 

[iJay]

Unless your using a steel leader for shark or pike LOL!

 

[Knuguy]

People who use leaders and bottom bounce should be shot LOL

The leader is put on in efforts to present the bait to the fish without the line being dectected. Bottom bouncing defeats this as most times in moderate to slower moving currents the bait will move slower thru the water than the line, the line often will touch the fish before bait has presented itself.

Not if the sinker is ticking the bottom as it should.

 

[iJay]

I agree, that does work for pools, but if you fishing in less than 2' of water. I think its a waste of time.

 

[fishermandan420]

If you're using a hook that will freely counter balance, and sink, a floating worm, wow are you ever doing it wrong. :lol:

???? doesnt take much to sink a 3 inch pinky. size 10 will do it, plus fluoro leader sinks too. try the smokin jigz worms. they sink

 

[NADO]

mans laughin quite a bit there lol. I think he was zeroing in on the contadiction between counter balance and sink. Either way if you put shots on your leader it is impossible to even catch creek chubs.

 

[Knuguy]

I agree, that does work for pools, but if you fishing in less than 2' of water. I think its a waste of time.

I would think that in 2' of water neither sinkers nor floats are needed, except as a weight to let you cast further. In shallow water the bait would tend to 'bounce around' a bit it the current i.e. the depth of the bait will fluctuate.

 

[fishing89]

some new gear to try on the opener, never used flies before. Should be interesting to see how they work with a centrepin and float set up

 

[Float_down]

If you're using a hook that will freely counter balance, and sink, a floating worm, wow are you ever doing it wrong. :lol:

Believe me, I've got that bait right where I want

Right in the corner of a fishes mouth