Using a shock leader ?

Anybody that uses 2# line use a heavier leader ?
After losing a nice fish earlier this week , I got to wondering of what I could have done differently that would have increased my chances of landing that fish .
Even if I had gotten close enough to land , I would still would have faced the issue of getting it up a 4-5’ bank above water level .
I know a net would be ideal , but I’m not sure I’m for dragging another piece of equipment around with me while I’m bank fishing.

So my thoughts went back to where I was using 6# braid with a 3# Floroclear leader .
I’m thinking of adding a 6-8’ leader of 3-4# Floroclear to my 2# line .
That way I’d keep the cast ability of the 2# line , but once I got the leader to where I could grab it , I could drag or swing a fish up the high bank .
It’ll also increase the strength of the line tied directly to my jig and less likely to be cut by the fish’s teeth .

I’m going give it a try and will let you know how it works for me .

Anyone try this already ? What did you find out ?

Well , I got a chance to fish for about forty five minutes today .
Instead of trying the shock leader idea , I switched reels on my 4’10” Major Craft Fine Tail Glass rod to a Shimano Stradic spooled with 3# Floroclear.
I fished the same jig , a 4.6mm Tungsten bead jig with a 1” Black curly tail .
Casting distance was just slightly under what I was getting with the. 2# Floroclear.
Most casts were around 60’ .
I caught 11 assorted species . The fish didn’t seem to notice the slightly bigger line .
One of the small gills wrapped around a stick , and I was able to pull stick and the fish in over the riprap .
I don’t think I could have done that with the 2# line .
I get about the same casting distance with the 3# Floroclear that I got with the Daiwa braid , but without the cons of using braid .
This maybe the way to go .
Taking a couple of combos , one loaded with 3# test for areas with high banks , 2# for those areas where I won’t have to swing or drag the fish to land them .

I use 4 - 5 feet of 2lb trout magnet SOS line with ester (either 1.75 lb or 2.3 lb). The water in my neck of the woods is usually stained so no need for a FC leader. The 2lb SOS line has offered decent abrasion resistance when the fish swim into structure. If the ester caught on the same structure it would surely break.


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That Finetail is looking sharp!


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I think you’re on the right page about solving the leader issue. I use a leader for abrasion and the mono I use is 4 pound so no issue there either. Hope you get it figured out.

I use 4lb izor xxx , my water is super clear with at least 25 ft visibility , it doesn’t seem to spook them at all. My problem is the quagga mussels are very sharp and grow fearless in the vegetation .

thanks for the ideas.

pretty sure that first fish won't require a shock leader bro .....just saying :Rofl
but I used to use them when I chased catfish back when , I used 20 lb. tied to my 10 lb. , they can chew thru 10 pretty easy when they get up over 3 or 4 lbs.
maybe use some of that there hair like braid stuff , might be the ticket :dono

Been using shock leader ever since I started fishing Ester lines. Also use it when trout fishing and using the Infinity PE from Varivas. I tried forgoing a shock leader with both lines and lost a ton of fish. I know saltwater guys who use braid that have 20 feet of shock leader tied on. Just no forgiveness in no stretch lines rated at 2 pounds.


Regards


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interesting bro , I would think with such light tackle yawl use it would be hard to break off if your drag is set right ....

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Originally Posted by Ketchn

interesting bro , I would think with such light tackle yawl use it would be hard to break off if your drag is set right ....

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Breaking off while fighting a fish isn’t a worry . It’s when I get it to the bank and I’m four feet or more above the water level that’s the problem.
My thought was once I got to the leader I could drag or lift the fish with the leader .
Also some of the fish I sometimes hook , such as spotted bass , have these little teeth that cut 2# line like it’s nothing.

I know exactly what you mean. I have used 2.5 lbs Varivas blue moon as leader for Ester. No issues from the kayak. But while fishing from the dock I have broken the leader while lifting up 8 inch crappie when they thrash around. Never had that issues with 2 lb SOS. So that is what I mostly use as a leader line. Thicker than JDM nylon and obviously higher breaking strain than 2 lb ;) Works out well for me :)

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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Breaking off while fighting a fish isn’t a worry . It’s when I get it to the bank and I’m four feet or more above the water level that’s the problem.
My thought was once I got to the leader I could drag or lift the fish with the leader .
Also some of the fish I sometimes hook , such as spotted bass , have these little teeth that cut 2# line like it’s nothing.

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And some of the gill varieties have tiny teeth too and while they may not part the line this time, his cousin that’s two or three fish in the future might get to make the line part and he carries some jewelry for a few days.