When to use a leader?

[FishingwithJake]

I was wondering in what circumstances do you guys use leaders? Do you use one all of the time or just with particular baits (ie. jerkbaits, crankbaits, etc.)? Also, what type of leaders do you use (mono, steel, titanium)?

[FigR8'EM]

I never take my leader off when fishing for muskies....the last thing I want is to have a 40 pound fish break my line and take my $20 bait. Not to mention get away without a picture . I also use mono leaders. I have had better luck with them and I have seen my partner snap his wire leaders many times. So i will continue to use mono leaders until I find a reason not to.

Kano

[markkstanley]

Always use a leader. Not worth the risk and the $$$ not to. I use fluorocarbon. Doesn't kink less visible and holds up well. Just make sure you check for nicks everytime out.

[Scoot]

I agree- always!

[FishingwithJake]

I agree it is very important to always use a leader. My question is this, is it better to use a certain type of leader when using a jerkbait, bucktail, spinner, crankbait, etc.?

[Random guy]

Always always always. I couldn't stand myself if I lost a fish of a lifetime because it chewed through the line. I use florocarbon like Mark and haven't lost a fish on one yet, you do have to watch for nicks and replace it if need be. I buy the line bulk and tie my own so I can have different lengths and wieghts for different applications.

[delmuts]

i know this has been talked about be for, but ???? would you guys care to elaborate on the mono/flourocarbon leaders ! what # ; do you tie on a swivel and a snap or just a swivel and tie directly to the lure. thanks!

[markkstanley]

80# to 100# is what I use. Buy them at Thorne's. That stuff is too thick to tie easily so it gets crimped. Pays to check the crimps everytime. Has anyone used the Tyger line as a musky leader?? I got some 10# test I use for cranking walleyes - too many northerns in Minnetonka to go leaderless - but I haven't tried the heavier test. I can tie the Tyger line directly to snaps/mono/braid with no problems.

[Random guy]

Mark try a "upside down" trilene knot. Start the knot as normal then instead of wrapping the line up towards the top run it back up and pinch it with two fingers then wrap it back down and place the end through the two loops. The trick is to wet the line so its slides and hold one end with a pliers and give it one fast steady pull and it makes that floro knot up real nice. I then give it a drop of super glue and it's good as gold. I have not had a knot failure yet with this. I tried the crimps and didn't like the break factor. I took a big scale and tested each method of making leaders by putting one end in the vice and pulling with the scale to see how strong one was compared to the other. Crimps averaged about 75-80% of the line strengh and knots came in at 90-95% strengh. It was winter and I was bored.

[Cooter]

I have used the Tyger on northern tip ups and recently tried some 70lb knotable leader called Toothy Critter? from Cortland. Seems like it will work, knots snug down and the stuff doesn't kink. I believe its a keeper - too early to tell for sure though.

[esox addict]

For as many teeth as a muskie has, I would never fish without a leader. I like to use a solid single strand wire leader for my jerkbaits. And seven strand for everything else. Anytime they start to kink up, I always replace them, don't want to take any chances on that 50 incher.

[Cooter]

Hey Jon, how many loops do you use on that upside down Trilene knot? I think I got the how to part of the knot figured out, was cornfused a bit at first. How about a fancy cornputer drawn diagram? JK.

[Random guy]

I can barely type and you want a knot schematic, later monkeys are going to fly south. I usaully go around four times.

[porterhouse]

Always use a leader. This past June I had a fish of a lifetime swallow my bucktail,12"leader and bit through 80 Power Pro line. Just made me sick to my stomach.

Brian

[Cooter]

Thanks Jon, the wraps must be like those on a nail knot eh?

[cjac]

I was throwing a Bulldawg yesterday and the leader had a tendency to grab that front treble. What leader seems to match up best to a BD? Thanks.....

For the record: Yesterday was slow for me too. Very slow....

[Random guy]

Cooter, Let me try this;

through the eye/through the eye again/"end" of line back up along side "main" line/pinch with fingers 2-3" above eye/wrap "end" four times downward towards eye/ place "end" through two loops from steps one and two/quick steady pull to tighten/pull tag end to complete sinch,I mean pull it like your starting an old outboard

[Cooter]

Got er Jon, thanks for all the effort.

[Random guy]

Did it work?

[markkstanley]

Looks good but now I need to hookup with a 40lber to be sure

[Cooter]

I'm 0 for 1 on that knot - it snugged but sure don't look right. A little practice and I'll get it.