Seem's like everything I've read when talking about leader, guy's use very heavy leader. Why is that? I use leader lighter than my main line. Break off or snag and I only loose the hook.
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Seem's like everything I've read when talking about leader, guy's use very heavy leader. Why is that? I use leader lighter than my main line. Break off or snag and I only loose the hook.
Depends on the fish. For Crappie I agree but rougher fish like Pike or similar it is to protect from abrasion and break off. I had a Striped Bass break off when I had braid tied directly to plug. I added an 18" Flurocarbon leader to reduce the chance of breaking. Braid is susceptible to fraying more so than mono or fluro.
If you had a 50# braid, wouldn't a 30# leader work. I've read where some use heavier leader than main line. If something is gonna give I'd think it would be the main line.
I have 20-30lb main lines on my long rods, but the heaviest leader I use is 8lb test (though most of my leaders are 6lb test). The whole point of a lighter test leader is to break before the main line breaks. I know some use 10lb test lines from reel to bait ... somewhat in the hopes that they'll straighten out the hook on a jig or power a crank off a snag, but also to help gauge the depths their baits are running (as that's what the depth chart makers used, and what size line most line counter reels recommend for proper calibration of actual length of line out).Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Fischer
I "Push" my jigs & cranks, using 1oz - 4oz trolling weights. Those weights are attached to the main line with duo-lock snaps (20# test) and the leaders are attached to the other end of the weights with those same snaps. You'd be surprised at how much "pull tension" you have to put on those 6# test leaders (20-50ft from the rod tip) just to bend the hook open or break the leader. I've got 20# test mono on my "worm rod" (Bass fishing outfit) and even when the line is snagged on a rocky bottom ... it takes a lot of "oomph" to get that line to break. I can't imagine using it as a leader line ... I'd likely break one of my rods before the leader or one of the snaps gave way. :Doh:
Fishing for Sheepshead in the jetties I have 15# braid and 30# fluorocarbon leader. That's to combat the chompers on the Sheepshead.
My panfish rod I have 8# braid and 4# fluoro leader usually with a Beetle Spin, jig or ultalight plug.
I’m assuming were talking about Crappie fishing here?
Unless braided line is being used for the main line, I’m not aware of a leader being necessary for Crappies.
I’m of the opinion most use 6 to 8 pound mono line as a main line, and some use lighter, then tie the hook or lure directly to that. If you buy some of the pre made trolling rigs, like the BnM Capps and Coleman, or the Mr Crappie brand, there’s nothing special about the line they use either. It’s just plain clear mono which seems to vary in size some with larger weights, but not by much.
As for the toothy fish wether in fresh or salt water, wire leader would be the best to use.
Some of that is soft and flexible enough to tie knots with.
I use light leader line to keep from breaking main line and break off easier. Sometimes the hook will not let go.
Actually I see most this on the catfish thread farther down. On my crappie rig's I've learned that hanging up and breaking off cost's me the jig and the bobber. I'm using straight 4# mono but think I'd be better off with say 6# mono and about 4# leader. I'd get some 2# line for leader for crappie but don't know where to get it.Quote:
Originally Posted by yobuck
You can order 2# line online .... Stren makes a decent 2# mono. Or if you go to 6# for the main line, then a 4# leader would work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Fischer
And as far as losing the "bobber" along with the jig --- I don't know about your waters, but on my waters you can normally pick up a half dozen floats/bobbers along the shoreline or hanging in trees on about almost every trip ... all sizes, shapes, brands, and styles, from the brand new to the ancient in condition. I doubt I've purchased a float of any kind in over 40yrs !!
That might be true, i guess we have all seen floats and even some lures caught in branches as we go by them.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappiePappy
But most of us have heard the old cliche about what you get not always being worth what you had to pay in order to get it.
Especially if you have 6 or 8 rods sticking out from your boat. Lol
I use 2# 4# and 6# SOS trout line. Mainly 2#. Kind of started by just using left over spools from my trout poles but have since grown fond of it that I now buy it specifically for my leaders.
Indeed !! When I have more than 1 rod in play I usually just "notice" the floats, not bothering to pick them up. Anymore, now that I have a bunch of them, even when I can retrieve one ... I'm particularly looking for a specific type, and just pass on by all the rest. Besides, when I have a bunch of rods out, my attention is on the depth finder & rod tips ... not the shoreline. :ThumbsUpQuote:
Originally Posted by yobuck
Well if your not watching the shoreline, how do you judge your speed?Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappiePappy
At least accuratly. Lol
I no doubt miss some fish due to my looking around rather than at the rods, but i enjoy seeing other things also, maybe the hunter instincts. Do you know anybody who has a spotting scope on his boat? Well you do now.
But the ones i do catch don’t need any catching, could be that minnows contribute to that.
My Hook 7 tells me how fast I'm going. And yeah, no doubt I miss some fish at times from "looking around" ... in fact, I do get more bites when I'm "doing something else" or my attention is someplace other than the rod tips ... or it seems that way, sometimes. :biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by yobuck
I've rigged my panfish rods with 6# braid and 6# fluoro leader, about 5 ft in length. I tie directly to the lure. Anyone use a small snap at the business end? And, if you happen to lose a bobber, can't you just look for it floating on the surface somewhere? I prefer the slip bobber style.
I have used a small snap that would allow the jig to move like on a loop knot.
Mustad fastach clips
When I first started targeting panfish, I used a snap swivel so big that my buddy said it should have a sign for the fish that said "Please don't eat here". Ooops.Quote:
Originally Posted by DockShootinJack
:biggrin I have been there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooner
Most of the time now I try to have the least amount of knots and tackle between me and the fish as possible. Few points to have problems
Makes sense to me. (taking notes)Quote:
Originally Posted by DockShootinJack
That being said I fish stained water. These hydro lakes are just river water. The braid I use is not high vis. The colors range from moss green to dark gray almost black. 2 lb diameter 10 pound break
I think it makes a difference as to how you are fishing, and how clear the water is.
Down here all the water is stained like a weak coffee color.
For trolling it seems added hardware used for making rigs doesn’t matter much, and even the tournament pros use those type rigs. Does not the added lead in the mix also matter?
Ive found that using those small hooks for attaching a hook or jig doesn’t seem to matter when trolling.
Not talking about a snap, just those tiny hooks that are a pita to use. Not sure they are much easier or faster at least for me, but they do allow for changing the lure without retying.
The various spinner type baits work well also, and for sure there is added hardware on those and some more than others,
so would some type of snap matter all that much? Well again not for me when I’m trolling.
But for single pole jig fishing I’d just as soon pick up a different rod with a different bait, and i always just tie the main line right onto the jig with a loop knot. And the sad fact is i can be easily outfished by another guy using the same setup.
I have pulled those small hooks apart on snags and bigger fish ( catfish) . Never had a crappie pull one out
I wouldn’t personally consider that as being a bad thing. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by DockShootinJack
I haven’t had that happen, but there’s not much brush where i troll either.
This ^^^^Quote:
Originally Posted by DockShootinJack
99% of the time, my "rig" consists of a jig knotted to the end of the line.
I would rather bend a hook and pull free. I can reshape the hook and be back fishing a lot quicker than retying the lineQuote:
Originally Posted by yobuck
10-12 lb. main line . 8 lb. leaders .
I switched to 4lb mono and love it. There are times when I loose a
jig but really like the 4lb line. Thinking about going to to A 2lb floor carbon leader. Will see
Only time I use a leader is fishing off shore, and that is out of respect for the deck hands. They would rather handle heavy mono than braid when landing a big fish...Wally Marshal says it plan, "the only thing a crappie cares about is whats on the end of your line"...
Leaders are a must in certain conditions. When I use to fish for Red Fish and Speckled Trout, I used 12 lb test for main line and a 20lb Floro Carbon leader because Red Fish in shallow water find a way to cut your line.