An Introduction to Fishing Leader Systems
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 doubt whether or not a leader is actually needed. Although it’s not required in every situation, a leader can assist with keeping your main line in one piece. Not making use of a leader can result in a sheared line during a fight with an aggressive fish.
Utilizing Leaders
If you are hoping to land a kind of fish that is fairly line shy, a leader can be very practical. For line-shy fish, a fluorocarbon leader is important, since leaders can be formed from any style of line. There are two key motivations for using fluorocarbon leaders. Number one is that fish like false albacore, bonito, and mackerel have remarkably good vision. Second, they are predisposed to having wonderful visual acuity. Consequently, if your bait looks strange in the slightest, these fish are going to disregard it and hasten toward greener pastures as it were.
The principle behind fluorocarbon is clear-cut. Fluorocarbon offers a very tiny 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 a primary food source, a fluorocarbon leader can be the best tool to maximize your catch. For optimal results, make certain that you use a lead no smaller than three feet but no larger than four.
Braided line admirers will discover that monofilament leaders are preferable. This kind of leader is less visible than a braided line and more flexible than a braided line. Monofilament leaders suck up the shock of an aggressive fish, and are invaluable for those preferring the lighter graphite or fiberglass rods. A monofilament leader should be constructed with a bare minimum of three feet and a maximum of five feet in length to lend a hand with snagging a big fish on a small line.
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.
Do not make a judgment error and use the wrong type of leader for the fish you are hoping to land. The correct leader will just about always mean the difference between a victorious fishing expedition and a fruitless outing. In fact, many experienced fishermen have learned that it doesn’t hurt to bring a selection of leaders in case the opportunity arises to make use of them. Keep in mind: the wrong leader can make the difference between a fish tale and having fish for dinner (or bragging rights).
Fishing can be a very exciting and relaxing sport. Making sure you have proper equipment such as Penn Fishing Reels, Daiwa Reel, and Shimano Fishing Reel can be extremely helpful.
