Leaders (A beginners guide)
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:08 pm
With the topic posted lately (top water and leaders) I started to post a reply and then decided I would go a little further and tell what I know about leaders.
This is one persons experience so if you can add to it please do.
LEADERS
Why use leaders
Leaders can aid in angling in many ways.
I think most people look to leaders to protect from being bitten off and losing those valuable hooks. However there are many other reasons to use them. Some conditions needed to be considered when choosing a leader are, structure in the water, type of fish, water clarity, desired bait presentation and size of fish.
Braided wire leaders
These are the most common off the shelf leaders that come with a basic swivel and hook latch. They come in lengths from 6" to 3' and can be either silver or black. Usually crimped but can also come in braided ends.
The crimped style can easily be made with inexpensive tools and the wire can be bought in rolls.
They are frequently used for trolling or casting for pike and walleye and other fish with teeth.
They can easily be attached to either braid or mono line and will kink so a change now and then is necessary.
Titanium leaders
These leaders are one up on the wire leaders and are super durable. A bit more expensive but will not kink.
They also come in a variety of lenghts but not usually more than 16".
Some Titanium leaders will have a ball bearing swivel and also a hook latch. The ball bearing swivel will prevent line twist better when trolling spoons.
They are also used for casting and trolling but being more rigid can also be used for top water walk the dog presentation(usually 12" max lenght).
Mono leaders
Mono leaders are cheap and easy to tie. They are also available at the local tackle store.
They are available in spools from 4-50lb test or higher if you can find it.
They can be attached to either a ball bearing swivel or regular swivel and a hook latch by either a tied knot or crimps.
When crimping care has to be taken to not nick the line or breakage will occure.
They can be tied in any length needed but have memory and will kink and coil often , needing to be replaced. Mono leaders will only protect against teeth to a certain degree and if snagged on rocks will cut easily.
They can also be used for either casting or trolling but are visible in clear water.
Fluorocarbon leaders
Fluorocarbon leader are available from 4lb to 150lb test. Ultra abrasion resistant and virtually disappear in the water they are becomming the choice of many anglers.
They too can be tied or crimped, with tying the preferance to reduce slippage of the connection. They can be used in any length and will not coil and will resist teeth and rock cutting them.
In the smaller diameter they can be attached to a braided line or mono line with a double uni knot and a straight tie to a hook for a stealthy presentation. They have been used in lenghts of up to 10-12' for certain presentations.
They are used for casting and trolling for critters with big teath and are the leader of choice in clear water. I have used a single leader on my muskie trolling outfit for an entire season. They last.
Straight wire leaders
These rigid leaders are used for casting primarily but can be trolled.
They will be most effective presenting a walk the dog top water or glide bait to perfection. The most desired lenght is 12" but can be longer or shorter.
Shrink tubing on the swivel and hook latch will keep the leader from sagging in the water thus making bait presentation easier.
They also come in different grades of wire thickness which will add weight to the bait thus changing action, so this has to be considered.
They will bend but can be straightened and are difficult to make without a wire leader bender. They will definitly last for many casts.
So if you match your leader to what you need to present your baits properly you will have better hook ups and lose less fish.
I hope this helps.
Matt
This is one persons experience so if you can add to it please do.
LEADERS
Why use leaders
Leaders can aid in angling in many ways.
I think most people look to leaders to protect from being bitten off and losing those valuable hooks. However there are many other reasons to use them. Some conditions needed to be considered when choosing a leader are, structure in the water, type of fish, water clarity, desired bait presentation and size of fish.
Braided wire leaders
These are the most common off the shelf leaders that come with a basic swivel and hook latch. They come in lengths from 6" to 3' and can be either silver or black. Usually crimped but can also come in braided ends.
The crimped style can easily be made with inexpensive tools and the wire can be bought in rolls.
They are frequently used for trolling or casting for pike and walleye and other fish with teeth.
They can easily be attached to either braid or mono line and will kink so a change now and then is necessary.
Titanium leaders
These leaders are one up on the wire leaders and are super durable. A bit more expensive but will not kink.
They also come in a variety of lenghts but not usually more than 16".
Some Titanium leaders will have a ball bearing swivel and also a hook latch. The ball bearing swivel will prevent line twist better when trolling spoons.
They are also used for casting and trolling but being more rigid can also be used for top water walk the dog presentation(usually 12" max lenght).
Mono leaders
Mono leaders are cheap and easy to tie. They are also available at the local tackle store.
They are available in spools from 4-50lb test or higher if you can find it.
They can be attached to either a ball bearing swivel or regular swivel and a hook latch by either a tied knot or crimps.
When crimping care has to be taken to not nick the line or breakage will occure.
They can be tied in any length needed but have memory and will kink and coil often , needing to be replaced. Mono leaders will only protect against teeth to a certain degree and if snagged on rocks will cut easily.
They can also be used for either casting or trolling but are visible in clear water.
Fluorocarbon leaders
Fluorocarbon leader are available from 4lb to 150lb test. Ultra abrasion resistant and virtually disappear in the water they are becomming the choice of many anglers.
They too can be tied or crimped, with tying the preferance to reduce slippage of the connection. They can be used in any length and will not coil and will resist teeth and rock cutting them.
In the smaller diameter they can be attached to a braided line or mono line with a double uni knot and a straight tie to a hook for a stealthy presentation. They have been used in lenghts of up to 10-12' for certain presentations.
They are used for casting and trolling for critters with big teath and are the leader of choice in clear water. I have used a single leader on my muskie trolling outfit for an entire season. They last.
Straight wire leaders
These rigid leaders are used for casting primarily but can be trolled.
They will be most effective presenting a walk the dog top water or glide bait to perfection. The most desired lenght is 12" but can be longer or shorter.
Shrink tubing on the swivel and hook latch will keep the leader from sagging in the water thus making bait presentation easier.
They also come in different grades of wire thickness which will add weight to the bait thus changing action, so this has to be considered.
They will bend but can be straightened and are difficult to make without a wire leader bender. They will definitly last for many casts.
So if you match your leader to what you need to present your baits properly you will have better hook ups and lose less fish.
I hope this helps.
Matt