Leader or no leader

[Magicactus]

Hi Folk

Fishing in our area is quite rockey and we do tend to lose a bit of tackle. Following the threads a lot of guys fish with leaders. I was using .45 mainline with a .60-.70 leader and when catching africa the leader always snaps at the knot, bimini, figure 8, the "spyker", allbright etc etc. This has been getting wasteful not to mention lengths of leader floating around fouling up the place. On several occaisons we have recaught our leaders with terminal tackle.

We have recently reverted back to using straight .50 -.60 mono with a lot less wastage, normally only losing a sinker or two. Are leaders really that essential when fishing in rocky areas? Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards

 

[Trophy]

Hiya Magicactus,

Leaders are not only great around rocky areas, but very useful when trying to get a big fish over a shore break.

When a large Kobbie sits and runs along behind the drop off the last thing you want is your .50 mono cutting through the sand on the lip.

It will only be a question of time when you loose your PB Kobbie as your line is neatly clipped by a sharp stone or sea shell.

My buddy also never fished with leaders until on day he lost two 40kg Kob...one after the other!

He now NEVER fishes without a leader. Some lessons are hard to learn!

 

[Katonkel Tom]

Magic, they are essential.You breaking off on the leader knot because you sinker line is to heavy. If your mainline is .55 then use about .35/.40 for your sinker.I always use leader on the bricks as you never know when that big cracker or pb fish is going to pick you up and the last thing you want is the line getting burnt off! Hope this helps.

KT

 

[Chuck Norris]

Leader is essential. Your sinker line must be lighter than your mainline.

 

[Magicactus]

Thanks Trophy

Catching or even hooking a 40 kg kob is a dream, losing all my terminal tackle constantly is a freaking nightmare. I'll put it down to schoolfees.

 

 

[Magicactus]

Thanks chaps

I was using .42 as a sinker line, will go down to .40 and finish with these schoolfees or go back to plugging and spinning. Paid those already

 

[aquadementia]

If your knots are right then you shouldnt break off at your leader. When im sliding I use .65 sinker line with my .52 mainline. When my sinker gets stuck its always the sinker line that breaks first

 

[AndriesH]

If your knot breaks on the cast - then increase the length of your leader so that four or five winds stays on the reel when you prepare to cast.

If it breaks when retrieving -then look at the knots again.
I also made bimini with figure 8 and also suffered with breakages.
Simen showed me a new knot combination that worked well all December.
I'll try and describe it a bit later.

 

[AndriesH]

Star with the spider hitch in the main line.
(Simen ties his braid this way, I have mono)

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=1698&forum_id=44

Then fold back the loop (like this picture)

 

[AndriesH]

Then stick the leader line through this loop and tie it over the double line with a figure of 8.
Done.

Remember these are HOT knots, so you must pull them tight - SLOWLY, while cooling them (In your mouth or in a bucket of water)

 

[aquadementia]

thanks Andries. Its like a spyker knot crossed with a bimini/figure 8

 

[KLIPVIS]

If you fish rocky areas , tie a piece of string to you sinker and fix you sinker nylon to this , this will result is less sinker broken off , and then you can go very light on you sinker trace.

Rather use a leader .70mm maxima is the bom .

 

[JasonF]

If I use the figure8 knot I normally fold my mainline double. I use .43 KF with a .75 Maxima leader. Between the rocks I use a lighter sinkerline than my hookline. My 2c worth.

 

[Torpedo Jack]

Hi Magic,

Make a single, overhand knot in your sinker snood. This weakens the sinker trace to about 50% of its breaking strain, and gives you a reliable break point when you hook Africa. A great tip which works very well.

Hope this helps you - it certainly did me.

Mike

 

[wp34]

As was said in the previous posts, always use a leader. I even use a leader on my light tackle which is .35mm. Sinker line/trace as thin as possible.

Brian

 

[porkhead]

Dont forget to put lank spit on your knot, when you pull it tight.

 

[Magicactus]

Thank you all for the responses regarding this leader issue, it apears to be the way to go.

 

[stinkmossel]

I use .80 on .52 with a albright. 1mm with a bimini and fig 8. Pull slowly and use lotsa gob!

 

[TOE 007]

i had the same problem for like a week , long lost alota tackle , but i just had a look at the knots i was using , i am pretty sure its your knots , maybe just refresh your knot tying skills abit , it worked for me , on both my reels i am going strong after three heavy trips , so i am stoked , i fish .40 and leader .60 or .70 .

i know i will get alot of critics but , maybe make granny knot in your sinker line .

hope you pull your knots together and pull a NICE SIZA !