Leaders Leaders Leaders

[smeese]

Anyone want to share their input on leaders? I have numerous kinds, most are the rigid Titanium ones, some are the Mono heavy dutys and then I hear about people just making an extension out of florocarbon line from the regular line to the lure.....what do you have best luck with? I mostly fish stained waters and think maybe any would work, but some lack of activity while using the titanium ones all year last year has got me wondering if they are more niticable then I thought. Thanks for any input, if you want to get out on french or fox send me an email.

[Esox_Magnum]

I run 174# solid wire or 150# Flouro both in 12" on all waters stained and clear and fish don't care. If the boat don't scare them I don't think a leader matters. One thing I'm not a big fan of is stranded or Titanium leaders to many problems with them both breaking or fraying at the crimps.

[AWH]

I would definitely caution against using titanium. It's great while it works. But it's known for breaking without any warning. Also, understand that mono and fluorocarbon leaders are not one in the same. Fluoro is much more abrasive resistant. Mono is also NOT UV resistant where fluoro is. In other words, mono will break down over time. No worries (that I'm aware of) with fluoro in that regard. And fluoro will also just hold up better with general use much better than mono.

I like Stealth 130# fluoro for most of what I do. But if you like single strand wire, their 174# wire leaders are good too.

Aaron

[Tim_Anderson]

Like you, I have been the titanium route (many years ago) and went another direction because of failed crimps.

Like Aaron, I use the #130 Stealth Tackle Leaders, and have had great success with them. In fact, I'm hoping to hook up with Aaron today and get a bunch of fresh ones for the upcoming season!

[RK]

Hiya -

I agree on the Titanium. It doesn't kink like steel wire, but it does fatigue, and when they fail, there's no warning...

For 99% of my casting I make my own leaders from single strand wire. They're cheap and disposable. When one kinks or shows wear, cut it off and put on a new one. You can make a season's worth of leaders during one 1/2 hour TV show.

I use fluoro, but mainly for trolling, and the reason isn't visibility but fish friendliness. Fluoro doesn't cut fish up when they roll.

Even in pretty clear water I really have a hard time believing muskies get leader shy. I mean, really...snap on a Cowgirl then use an invisible leader so it looks more "natural?" I do use fluoro leaders casting sometimes but I could do without them. If you do use fluoro, #120 is the minimum I think. I make my own fluoro leaders too. Way cheaper in the long run.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm