Lively Livebait Leader Length?

[Tyler Holm]

Lively Livebait Leader Length?

-> Can you say that 5x fast?

When fishing with bullheads what length of leader do you use? (For all practical purposes don’t include the line that’s doubled over in a loop, if you use loops)

Do you vary the leader length according to hook placement on a bullhead? Ie.. lips vs back?

Would a short leader make you more prone to whisker hooking a fish?

I haven’t been using circle hooks on live bait, but what about the leader length with those?

How about live suckers? Same?

I’ve been rocking the 5-6 inches of line/leader (80# pp) from swivel to hook (obviously the hook adds another 2”+ to the entire leader length).

Pros / Cons….?

[Shack]

I believe that conditions and structure play a big roll in snell length.

I have switched from 8-10” between the eye of the hook and the eye of the swivel to 3-4’.

I have found the all around 1.5’ snell seems to be the best all around size for my fishing conditions. I hate long, because of the mess it creates casting and storage on the rod when rod is broke down. The small snell (8-10”) just seems too small, but I have caught fish on the small snell.

I carry a variety of rods when I go fishing and each one of them has a different snell length on them. If one rig gets no action, switch it up to another. Having a variety of rods with you can be a mess, but changing up during a fishing trip is easier and when you break your line on a snag one can bait up and toss one of the back polls in while you re rig.

To say one length is the “cats meow” is easier said than done. I would keep up what you’re doing and you will find what works best in the areas you fish.

Good luck!!!!

[Tyler Holm]

I made an adjustment to my orig post as it kinda sounded like I was fishing for bullheads. I'm actually talking about fishing for flathead catfish while using bullheads. Sorry if there was confusion.

[Shack]

I also have found the longer the snell/leader, the better the chances are you are going to gut hook a flat clicker reel ripper.

With a 7/0 octi circle and a 1.5’ snell and after perfecting the circle hook side swing a little more, I hook all of my channels in upper corner of mouth. Same spot every time.

[Shack]

Oh I read you loud and clear!

It is almost the same fishing for both! Just a differnt size scale and bait.

[Flaco651]

Flathead fishing, I don't allow my livebait to run around on anything more than 12"(usually 8-12") from eye of the hook to swivel. I just checked my two rods I use for flats and they were both at about 10". Longer leaders IMO allow bait to wrap up in snags or the main line easier with all that free swimming. Plus shorter leaders 6-12" should be easier casting large live baits.

[DARK30]

Why do you need a leader in this situation? I'd rather just tie one knot at the hook. A lively bullhead or other bait can put a little distance between itself and the sinker anyway. Lively bait is important though.

Hopefully I can find the time to catch another mudeye or two this year...jig time is coming

[Shack]

Good point!

Point well taken!

[dps]

The Dark 30 rig doesnt get along with me... it not a great rig if your casting any distance, and for me it tends to knock the bait off the hook quite often. Its a good rig, it just doesnt work for me.

Short leader.. 4"-6" is what I use. As Dark30 said.. the bait will pull out a little more leader if you let it. Having a short leader will sometimes allow you to confine your bait to that short leader to keep them from finding a hiding place(snag). The less a bait can move, the more its going to struggle to try to get away when a preditor is near(keeps kicking and doesnt hardly go anywhere).

Just because a fish likes a lively bait doesnt mean they want to chase it. My strike ratio drops greatly with a long leader.. 12" is too long unless you have cut bait on the hook.

[hanson]

Dave (dps) is right on the money, or I think the same way he thinks, or he taught me to think the same way he thinks, or something anyway.

Short Leaders are good - 0" to 12".

- The rig is easier to cast since the mass is mostly together.

- The longer leash you give a livebait, the easier it is for him to find a hiding spot, or a snag.

- Bait will struggle more against a short leader sending out good fish vibes.

There is a spot that I haven't fished in awhile where we are convinced the flatheads pick baits out of the snags and rocks. Its nothing to lose 12 baits (hook, bait, leader, sinker) in this spot per night. Its very snaggy.

One night, we caught a flat (The Heavy Metal Flat) that had 4-6 rigs tangled up in its gills. If I'm not mistaken, all the hooks, line, and swivels were of the same variety we use.

Best thing we could figure was this fish was having easy pickings pulling our snagged up and forgotten baits out of the rocks and riprap.

Guess the point I'm trying to make was this fish had no problem finding these baits in the rocks, and pulling them out of there.

Leader length is one thing I just don't mess with anymore. It varies night to night from 4-12", just depends on how it got tied on. Just leaves me more time to wonder if I'm fishing the right sinker.

[DARK30]

More than one person who thinks like Dave? Now thats scary

Different ways for different days I guess. Not using a leader works great for sand and gravel areas. For large rocks, I have another little set up that works. For heavy woody cover, it doesn't matter...you just need to tie a lot of knots.

[TMF89]

What do you use for leader material? And How hard is it exactly to learn how to use a circle hook? While I do like the pros, the con of losing a few big cats before I finally get the hang of it has been nagging at me. How about weight? The biggest I can get is around 1-1 1/2 ounce, would you guys just suggest using multiple of them then?

[rushing]

I use power pro for main line and a mono leader but you can also use the same as the main line. Circle hook, J style hook it doesn't matter what kind you use, you WILL miss fish no matter what. Thats just how this game is played.

Catfishing isn't rocket science its a hook, weight, and bait. Then there is luck and experience. Dont over think it.

The answer to most any basic catfishing question you may have can be found in the wealth of info in this forum. Just use the search function and you can find out just about anything having to do with catfishing.

Good Luck!