|
new2titicus
|
 |
« on: November 23, 2009, 02:05:18 pm » |
|
Hi All,
Does anyone have a opinion about using leaders, is it applicable to either live or artificial bait setups?
-Paul
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
KenH
|
|
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2009, 03:43:29 pm » |
|
I think the issue is mostly what kind of fishing you are doing, what kind of main line you use, and
what species/size of fish you are after. If you use any mainline other than the transparent polymer type
such as mono or flurocarbon then I suspect you don't have much choice but to use a leader. I troll alot for trout using leadcore which is essentially a braided line. A leader is a must because the mainline is highly visible. Furthermore it's really remarkable how much wear and tear goes on the leader during the course of a season from abrasion and fighting fish. I suspect that the flippin' Bass guys who have to horse strong fish out of cover use leaders on the braided mainlines perhaps not just because of the visibility and wear and tear, but to provide some stretch as well since braided doesn't. In terms of species if we had muskies and pike in the reservoirs we'd all using tough leaders, in some cases like bait fishing maybe even wire leaders. In theory the leader is suppose to be stronger than your main line since it's suseptible to more wear and tear and takes the brunt of the stress. I have in the past run into trout fishing old timers who use a weaker leader, on the grounds that it's less visible to the fish. Maybe so, but with the advent of flurocarbon which is "invisible" to fish that type of thinking no longer makes sense.
Anyway, unless you're using a non-transparent mainline, I don't think it's absoutely necessary, although
it's probably a good idea.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
new2titicus
|
|
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2009, 06:02:40 pm » |
|
Thanks Ken, That was very useful, I think the following two points really cleared up my confusion around leaders:
"In theory the leader is suppose to be stronger than your main line since it's suseptible to more wear and tear and takes the brunt of the stress."
"unless you're using a non-transparent mainline, I don't think it's absoutely necessary, although
it's probably a good idea."
-Paul
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
biggamee
|
|
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2009, 02:27:25 am » |
|
Hey Paul..
My opinion is that in the reservoirs you want to go as light as you can with the leader..During early mornings and dusk you can get a way with using a heavier leader because of low-light condition. During the day I would recommend you to use the lightest leader you can. Now saltwater we go the opposite..example..60lb fluorocarbon leader and 40lb main line for stripers and blues. So it depends on what fish your targeting....But I strongly recommend you to spend the extra money and have different leaders with you..The lighter the leader the more hits you will have ..Guaranteed...
Erik
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
BIG GAME E
Tight Lines & Screamin Drags
|
|
|
Chris
Newbie
Posts: 18
|
|
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2009, 11:23:49 am » |
|
Erik,
I agree with you 100%, for trout I always try to go as finesse as possible.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
KenH
|
|
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2009, 12:33:31 pm » |
|
I disagree with both Erik and Chris. Because I started fishing the reservoirs back in 1985, I'm actually originally of the same school of thinking; that trout are very sensitive and wary (which they are), therefore the lightest possible leader, as well as the lightest possible main line you can handle is the way to go. I've actually lost quite a few big trout using 6# mono. But advancements in technology can change the rules of the game. "One of the primary advantages of fluorocarbon is its near invisibility when it is submerged under water. Fluorocarbon line comes the closest to the light refractive index of water so it is virtually invisible when submerged." I troll with a 15# flurocarbon leader tied to my leadcore. Yes, 15 lb test. When shore fishing I use a thin-diameter 8# mono, or more often copolymer.
Ken
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
biggamee
|
|
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2009, 08:20:50 pm » |
|
Ok..Ken let me see if I can word this differently..when bait-fishing in open waters during the morning at kensico I start with a 10lb fluorocarbon leader attached to to 20lb power pro(6lb) diameter..as the sun comes out I go to an 8lb leader and at other reservoirs maybe a 6lb copolymer leader..I agree you might lose a big trout if you dont watch your drag, but the amount of hits go thru the roof. I'd rather lose a fish then to get skunked. Secondly with lead-core I never use any leader under 12lb..but after 4 colors i go to 20lb mono on my spool after the lead..So I hope this clears my post..I think were on the same page..today believe or not lead core trolling in the ocean in 30 ft of water..we used a 80lb fluorocarbon leader...20 bluefish and 5 striped bass ..35in was the biggest of the day..I guess the conditions also have alot to do with it...No boats, low fishing pressure, cloudy morning..Bottom line I strongly believe that trout are hyper sensitive and other fish might not be as line shy as trout..
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
BIG GAME E
Tight Lines & Screamin Drags
|
|
|
|
KenH
|
|
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2009, 06:02:51 pm » |
|
There's no doubt that trout are very sensitive and wary fish. This is especially so when
surface fishing or in close proximity. On the other hand, they can be complete gluttons
at times, coming back to hit a missed bait and occasionally being pretty aggressive and
careless. To that extent I think we sometimes over rate their wariness.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
