Steel leader problems

[Crappie Kid]

I was out today and had a 50 inch class ski on by the boat all the sudden one little twist and my %$$#&** leader came open and the big girl swam away with that brand new twin fin in its mouth. I hope that she'll be ok. My question is what went wrong that I may have been able to avoid this. It was a name brand leader made for ski fishing. I'm still in shock. And what does everybody think of these Twin fins and Bulldogs by Muskie Innovations. They seem to be some effective lures. I hope I don't get in trouble for mentioning names.

[Gus]

I feel your pain. I had one twist open on a smaller pike in LOW. It actually came open when I was wrangling it free from the pikes mouth. I chalked it up to bad luck and just bought what I thought was a better looking leader. The one I had that popped open was kind of chincy looking to me. You say you have good leaders though, so I'd just say bad luck...

I did end up losing the bucktail as it flopped in the water that day.

[Guest]

What kind of leader were you using? Just curious so I know what NOT to buy.

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1 Warrior To Rule Them all

[This message has been edited by webwarrior (edited 08-16-2004).]

[gundy89]

I haven't had them open, but I did have a snap bust on me. I had a little backlash trouble, like usual(beginner), and the sudden stop sent my jackpot flying. Good thing it happened that way and with a floating lure.

[Crappie Kid]

It was a Sampo. But it might have been just bad luck, too.

[Fish-n-Freak]

The BEST leaders out there are made with the "Stay-Locked" clips. if they have the usual clips you risk them opening.

The Stay-Locked clips are made with a loop that your tab end goes through, before hooking to the other side and locking. The loop is there as a second level of defense. If the clip does come off the opposite side, then the loop will catch the clip and prevent the lost lure/fish. They are used on all the premium leaders made by Thorne Bros. and can be bought seperate also. You can actually replace old the clips with these new ones.

Look around, they are the BEST clips out there.

Steve

[RuKiddingMe]

I'm with Steve on this one, the only leaders I use are the Thorne Bros custom leaders with the Stay-Lock clip, I have never had a problem with any of them and they aren't that expensive by comparison to other gear we buy for fishing Musky, yet they are so important. Why have to best of everything and then go cheap on your leaders...

RU

[cliffy]

I use to make my own leaders….I have used seven strand wire and single wire but a friend turned me onto those new leaders made from titanium …they are spendy but they seem to last longer…no kinks! They also come with the snap that has the circle back up system thingy.

[Guest]

The leaders I buy are 11.99 per leader.. No kinks or anything!

[Big G]

Anyone ever have a titanium leader fail on you????

I was with a buddy of mine and his crimp actually fell off..............Good thing it happened in the boat and not in the water..........

[Fish-n-Freak]

I also had a crimp fall off one of my Titaniun Leader -- it was like a hex shaped crimp and the metal was cracked. I pulled to tighten my knot and the leader fell apart!

Glad it didn't cost me a lure or a fish!

Steve

[Big G]

Steve............that is exactly the same thing that happened to my buddy...........

It litterally fell apart in his hands.........

That is the only thing that scares me with the titanium leaders.........they are so hard, that the crimp has to be pressed very hard to ensure a tight fit..........

[RuKiddingMe]

Seen the same thing happen to a fishing partner of mine with the Titanium Leader. He noticed a small crack on the loop and when he touched it that was all she wrote. He was happy it didn't cost a lure or a piggy to find out.

RU

[Big G]

well.........that's 3 strikes............

I will stick with traditional...........

[Fish-n-Freak]

Yep! I have tossed all my Titanium out.

I would rather replace bent steel, than deal with faulty leaders that fall apart -- BUT they do stay straight! LOL When those crimps let loose the loop straightened right the heck out.

Steve

[kjgmh]

I have gone to hand made, single strand, 124lb. A high quality ball bearing on one end and a split ring on the other. About as fool proof as I can come up with. Spend the money and get the good bearings, you can reuse them when the leader kinks. The split rings are actually easier to use once you are use to them, in cold weather they are way easier than snaps.

[minnesota_muskyfisherman]

I HAND TIE MY OWN LEADER'S WITH 125 STAINLESS STEAL .051 OR .060 I GET ALSO GET SALT WATER SWIVEL'S AND HEAVY DUTY SALT WATER SNAPS. I HAVE BOUGHT LEADER THAT HAVE BROKE BECAUSE OF CHANGEING LURES AND STRESS ON THE SNAP. I HAVE A HAND FULL OF SNAPS IN THE BOAT IN CASE ONE LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BREAK. I JUST PULL THE OLD ONE OFF AND PUT THE NEW ONE ON.

[cliffy]

Thanks for the information on the titanium leaders. I didn’t realize there had been so many problems. I have caught six muskies on the same leader and it shows no signs of wear BUT I don’t want to take any chances. I will have to start making my own again….I would hate to lose a pig with a lure in its mouth.

[marine_1]

I had a Titanium leader(Terminator Tackle Co./Toothy Critter) bust in the bottom loop and lost a high 40's fish. I have now gone to Thorne Bros. custom leaders. They may get a little goofed up but a good fight but at only $3/each you can buy nearly 7 for the price of the above mentioned Titanium Leader

[Fish-n-Freak]

Good Point. I also have cut off the cheap snaps on my old leaders and replaced them with a split ring. The rings with a good set of pliers are very easy and quick to use. I have never had a split ring fail! Just make sure you use the good ones.

I make some of my own leaders as well, but have a bunch from the store also. I like to make my own Trolling leaders, I can add weight or spinners and make them whatever length I want.

Good Luck!
Steve