Fishing what is a leader

My main line is 4kg mono. The fluorocarbon leader is used to present the cabbage bait to the fish and make it look as natural as possible. In very clear and calm conditions I'll even go down to a 2kg leader so the fish can't see it or be "spooked" by it. The lighter leader also means that if I hook a drummer that heads for cover I'll usually get my float back because the lighter leader breaks below the float before my main line.

Fluorocarbon leader is a high density fishing line that is less visible in water. When gamefishing and live baiting for marlin we usually use 15 or 24 kilo line. The most common types of leader lines are fluorocarbon and monofilament. The best qualities of fluorocarbon is that it is invisible underwater. It works best in clear water where the fish have a high visibility.

Fluorocarbon has little to no stretch in the line. This can be very advantageous with hook sets as stretch in the line can create slack enabling a fish to shake or spit the hook. Lastly, fluorocarbon line sinks. The downside of fluorocarbon is the higher price point. Monofilament Leader Lines Monofilament is very different than fluoro in a number of ways but certainly has its benefits. Mono has a much higher stretch capability than fluorocarbon, so if you need a shock leader or something to have a little give mono can be a great option.

Mono comes in a variety of different colors, in fact you can probably get mono in any color. The most common colors would be clear or light green variety. Clear is the least visible underwater but is not invisible like fluorocarbon line as the properties of the line are reflective underwater. You can get a lot of monofilament leader line for a very low cost.

Leader Line Lengths. Leader lengths could be dependent on a number of different factors. The general rule is the clearer the water the longer the leader line. The reason of course is hide your mainline and remainder of your setup out of view from the fish.

One thing to consider with longer leader lines sensitivity. The toughness and quality of this fluorocarbon line has made it my favorite leader line to use. Another pro about this line is the pliability in tying knots and leader boards up.

I trust their Blue Label leader line more than anything else at this point. KastKing has exploded in the fishing industry and continue to release a ton of fishing gear. They continually put out good products at a low price point. I remember testing their braided line when it was first released and I was shocked at the quality vs.

This line is made in Germany, has low stretch and very low visibility underwater. With the low stretch they have a higher sensitivity in feeling the bite. It also takes a little longer to attach a swivel than it does to connect with a knot because the swivel will require two knots.

Most fishing leaders only need one swivel as a connection to the main fishing line. The most reliable knot for attaching a swivel between your leader and fishing line is the offshore swivel knot. The main benefit of this knot is that if one strand breaks, the other strand is still likely to hold. Repeat the process for the knot on the other end to attach the line to the swivel.

What is a Leader? Types of Fishing Leaders There are several types of fishing leaders to choose from, and which one you will use will depend on several factors.

Standard Monofilament Leader A standard monofilament leader uses a single strand of strong, thinly-spun line. Fluorocarbon Monofilament Leader Fluorocarbon leaders also use a single strand of monofilament, but these leaders are more expensive due to some key differences. Wire Fishing Leader Wire fishing leaders come in various sizes and lengths and come in single-strand, multi-strand, and knottable types. Main Benefits of Fishing Leaders All fishing leaders provide significant benefits compared to using only a main fishing line, but the benefits will vary depending on the type of fishing leader you choose.

However, there are two main benefits you can expect from any leader, no matter the type. When Do I Need a Leader? The best method to use is ultimately the one that works best for you. Knots There are two main knots that anglers commonly use for attaching a fishing leader to your main fishing line.

I personally prefer to use the double uni knot You can also use it for creating shock leaders and connecting monofilament to wire. How to tie an albright knot: Create a loop at the end of the heavier line, and hold it in place with your thumb and forefinger.

Thread about 10 inches of the lighter line through the top of the loop. Clasp the tag end of the lighter line together with the two heavier strands of the loop. Tightly wrap the lighter line about ten times over the three strands, wrapping towards the end of the loop. Thread the tag end of the lighter line through the underneath of the loop.

The lighter line will enter and exit from the same side of the loop. While holding the heavy line, slide the wrapped lighter line towards the end of the loop.