Fishing Leader Systems – An Introduction

Leaders are a favorite of many sports fisherman. Each type of leader has its’ own unique use. Whether you are a new fisherman or a seasoned fisherman, understanding that leaders (the line that attaches between bait and mainline) are an invaluable tool in some cases, you’ll be able to determine which leader is right for your needs.

Do I really need a leader?

You may one of many who doubt whether or not a leader is in fact a needed piece of equipment. Although they are not a mandatory solution in every situation, a leader can be a valuable part of keeping your main line safe and sound. Not taking advantage of a leader can give rise to a snapped line during a battle with an aggressive fish.

Utilizing Leaders

If you are fishing for a kind of fish that is somewhat line shy, a leader can be priceless. For line-shy fish a fluorocarbon leader is best since leaders can be fashioned from any kind of line. There are two main reasons for using fluorocarbon leaders. The first is that fish such as false albacore, bonito and mackerel have exceptionally good eyesight. Secondly, they have a tendency to have magnificent visual acuity. Therefore, if your bait looks unusual in the slightest these fish are going to ignore it and press on toward greener pastures so to speak.

The premise behind fluorocarbon is simple – it provides infinitesimal light refraction meaning that the fish can’t see it. Since the fish that you’d use this type of leader for tend to run less than ten pounds, a twenty pound fluorocarbon leader is ideal. For a measurement of how effective they are, consider fishing alongside someone who isn’t using one and see what happens. The proof will astound you. Since these fish tend to go after bait-fish as their main source of food, a fluorocarbon leader can be the ideal tool to increase your catch. Make sure you are using a lead that is not smaller than three feet and not larger than four feet for optimal results.

The primary motivation for using fluorocarbon is clear: Fluorocarbon offers a minuscule amount of light refraction, a clever way of hiding the line from the fish. A twenty-pound fluorocarbon leader is perfect, since the fish that you’d fish for using this kind of leader for have a tendency to average less than ten pounds. Seeing as these fish have a propensity for going after baitfish as their most important food source, a fluorocarbon leader can be the top tool to get the most out of your day’s haul. For most favorable results, make certain that you use a lead between three and four feet in length.

Sports fishermen, in particular those who enjoy pike, barracuda, bluefish and muskellunge, are completely aware of the extra-large teeth these breeds sport. If you combine these teeth with their enjoyment of wrecking a fishing line, chances are very good that your fondness would be for a steel leader. Steel leaders are usually designed from twenty or thirty pound weight and are very noticeable. For more hostile fish, such as bluefish, you’d be better suited with a forty to sixty pound weight. On the other hand, if barracuda is your partiality, you’re better off with something heavier, as a barracuda is apt to snap through a solitary strand of eighty-pound leader as if it were nothing at all. The lighter weight is best suited toward pike and muskies with their needle like teeth, and the heavier is ideal for fighters like bluefish and barracuda.

Don’t make the mistake of using the wrong leader for the fishing that you’re attempting. The right leader will always make the difference between a successful fishing trip and an unsuccessful trip. It never hurts to carry a variety of leaders in case the opportunity arises to use them. Remember, the wrong leader can result in a missed catch.

Fishing can be a very exciting and relaxing sport. Making sure you have proper equipment such as Penn Reels, Daiwa Reel, and Shimano Reel can be extremely helpful.

Tagged as: