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| I was just wondering what everyone uses as far as leader, when throwing very small lures, normally during early season action? Like small bucktails and crankbaits. Normally, when I use these lures I put them on my regular leader and don't get the action I think I can get out of the lure. Should I even down-size my rod and reel when throwing these?
Any help is appreciated,
BrettC | |
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| The real key here is if the smaller lures you throw have smaller hooks on them. If so then a lighter leader and lighter action rod may be in order. However, if the baits have the same size hooks as your larger lures, you will need to use your normal equip. to get those hooks buried.
You are correct, however, in that you will get better lure action with a small lure using lighter leaders and equip. Not to mention it is a lot easier to throw small lures on lighter equip. as well.
Let Em Go...Let Em Grow.....Mike | |
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| What type of leaders do you use for light bucktails? Maybe the 20# one's that Berkley makes?
Just wondering,
Thanks,
Brett | |
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| Brett, I make all of my own leaders and other terminal tackle. never did trust that store bought stuff. Use Berkley cross lock snaps, since the Duke snap is no longer available. Looking for something better but haven't found it yet. My partner makes a leader snap combo bent out of the same piece of wire thats terrific. His invention so I cannot share with the world yet. For my lighter leaders I use .015 to .020 wire and a cross lock snap.
Hope this helps.....Mike | |
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| Hi,
A couple things:
About rods... A bass-style flipping stick is a super muskie rod, spring, or any other time of year. I use one probably 30% of the time, and if you count custom rods made from flipping stick blanks, it's probably closer to 60%. A fast-action flipping stick is an incredibly versatile rod... For those who say a flipping stick can't handle a big muskie, let me know and I can offer a number of arguments of the 50" plus variety, from my own experience and others... Best thing about them - they are usually drastically lighter than most muskie rods.
As for leaders, definitely go lighter, but steer clear of the cheap berkley variety. Unless it has a coastlock or cross-lock snap, stay away. The cheap fold-over snaps on the #20 berkley leaders *will* come open, especially when twisted - say, when a fish rolls in cold spring water, for example. Besides, lots cheaper to make your own.
I do one of two things in spring. Most often, I use a lighter single-strand leader material, a #6 coast-lock snap (rather than the #9s or #10s I use the rest of the year) and a downsized ball bearing swivel (or just a solid ring for stuff other than bucktails). Split rings instead of snaps works fine too.
If I'm using mono, I'll often take some coated stranded wire, nail-knot it to the mono (and if you use mono, learn to tie a Bimini Twist - it's easier than it looks) and then tie the wire directly to the bait with a simple knot that is variously called a coast loop, a fisherman's loop, or any number of other names. A little hard to explain, but a knot you can find described in saltwater how-to guides online. Nice thing about this is, no hardware...
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
RK | |
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Leader Question