I think I finally did it! - Fluoro Leader Making

[bobber_down_1979]

Over the winter I embarked on a journey to figure out how to make my own pike/muskie leaders. There are plenty of good leaders on the marked for a fair cost, but I wanted to build my own to make live bait rigs. I want to be able to place some color on the leader by adding a bead or two and a spinner. This to my understanding also alows the leader to be "legal" when using a treble hook. I was not happy with the results I was getting when testing my "crimped only" leaders, and simply did not like tying only. I was having trouble with most of the knots with this heavy 100 pound floro. I then heard about the nail knot and saw vids online and loved it. Was having trouble tying it again though. I purchased a tool through Du-bro that helps you tie it. After a few tries I was in business. I added the double barrel crimp and some glue for added security and to prevent the knot from slipping all the way down. For a true musky leader I will use 130 pound, but I fish mostly pike.

[rymcneil]

I would buy it good job!!

[bobber_down_1979]

Thanks! Feel free to offer up thoughts if something you see doesn't look right to you or could be improved/changed. I am really hoping this design in sound. The one frustration I have is that there seems to be a lot of wasted line, and fluoro is not cheap. The tool seems to make it worse. Hoping I can get better using less line.

[Jmeyers]

Looks great bobber! I've been thinking about making my own come this summer. Do you mind if I ask where you bought your materials? and by making them does it cut down on the cost of buying them?

[bobber_down_1979]

It should be noted that these are not fully tested yet. However I beleive this is how "Stealth" makes there leaders. I plan to do some testing tonight, but I can't imagine why they would not be solid. You will save money over time, but the initial investment is signifacant when compared with the cost of purchasing from retail. As stated the main reason I am going this route is to be able to make live bait rigs with some color and flash to them. I got the fluoro from Gander Mountain. The brand is Triple Fish and is 100 pound. The crimp sleeves, beads and spinners are from Thorne Bros. Except online, I don't know any place else to get the double barrel sleeves needed. You will also need a proper crimper if you want to add the sleeve. The crimper must be the proper type. Here is a link to one. Thornes will have the pliers, but you can probably get a better deal through cabalas, or fleet where I found a Mustad braned one for like 30.00.

[Note from admin: Your post has been edited. Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[bobber_down_1979]

As a side note, to the "saving money" question, I need to learn to tie the knot without the tool. It seems like the tool, is causing me to waste way too much fluoro. The directions indicate that you need about 15 inches of tag end on each side. That is about what it took me.

[MichaelSwan]

Really cool. I was going to do the exact same thing myself this year, thank you for sharing your experience! Too bad your comment/link was edited out.

[bonefish]

Google Lee Tauchen and Go to the "tips" section on his HSOforum. Scroll to the bottom of that section and you can download a very instructive PDF on how he ties his fluoro leaders. He uses a knot only - no crimps.

[ChubbyChaser]

The way you are tying, crimping and glueing is fine(same as Stealth Leaders). Although, you do not need 6 raps on your nail knot, 4 will suffice. And you might want to add a clevis to that blade, it will spin much better. Good Luck.

[slipperybob]

It looks great. I will go with the clevis too, might have to go with a big spinner clevis to fit through the thicker line diameter.