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 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 dealing with a species that is a bit line shy, a leader can be invaluable. Because leaders can be made from any type of line, for line-shy fish you’d be best served with a fluorocarbon leader. The reason for fluorocarbon leaders is two fold – fish such as false albacore, bonito and mackerel have extremely good sight and they tend to also have great visual acuity. If for any reason your bait looks at all out of the ordinary, these fish are simply going to by-pass it and move on to other areas.
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.
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 fisherman especially those who enjoy pike, barracuda, bluefish and muskellunge are fully aware of the oversized teeth these breeds sport. Combine these teeth with their love of a fishing line and chances are that you’re preference would be a steel leader. Steel leaders are crafted from twenty or thirty pound weight – and are highly visible. For more aggressive fish like bluefish you’re safer with a forty to sixty pound weight and if barracuda is your preference you’re better of with something even heavier as a barracuda is likely to snap through a single strand of eighty pound leader as if it were regular line. The lighter weight is ideal of pike and muskies (they have needle like teeth) and the heavier the better is ideal for bluefish and barracudas.
Do not make a common sense slip-up and use the wrong kind of leader for the fish you are eager to catch. The right leader will pretty much always make the difference between a triumphant fishing outing and a wasted trip. In reality, many veteran fishermen have discovered that it makes sense to take a mixture of leaders in case the chance comes up to take advantage of them. Remember: the wrong leader can mean the difference between a fish-that-got-away story and bragging rights.
Fishing can be a very exciting and relaxing sport. Making sure you have proper equipment such as Penn Reels Fishing, Daiwa Reels, and Shimano Fishing Reels can be extremely helpful.