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Posts: 337
Location: Central WI | I just started muskie fishing last summer so I'm still in the learning process. Just curious what leaders you guys use. I've noticed a lot of the higher end stuff is around $7, $8 on up. I was using Berkley leaders....$1.29 for a three pack. I used them all summer and never had any issues. Am I asking for trouble? Any input would be great.
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Posts: 1286
Location: WI | Not sure on the brand, but I buy mine at Gander Mtn. They come in a yellow sleeve and are made in Japan. Built like a tank and around $6 or 7 for a few of them. The crosslock snaps are better than most of the others that I've tried. I'll probably try some stealth flourocarboon leaders this year just to see what the fuss is about. |
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Posts: 135
| I make my own 174lb wire leaders with BB swivels or Solid Rings and Stay-Lok snaps using the Kwik_Twist tool. Also make my own 130LB Flouro Leaders using same hardware and crimps. Saves $$ and it's something fun to do musky fishing is on winter holiday.
W
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Posts: 337
Location: Central WI | I should look into that...sounds like something I could do during the winter also.
Edited by bobtodd 3/21/2008 12:44 PM
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Posts: 1451
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | I'm too damed cheap to pay 8$ for a good leader so I make my own using floro, bb swivels, crosslocks, crimps/superglue....Was not satisfied with how gliders/jerks were responding with the floro so I've started making my own 174 singlestrand wire leader for those thanks to some awsome help from others on this site. |
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Location: Eau Claire,WI | I have Ron at Crazy D Tackle make mine with solid .51 wire. I buy Spro swivels on ebay,(230 lb),bring em in and have him make em up.They cost me a lot less than getting them anywhere else. I make my own 7 strand leaders...I personally wouldn't use the leaders in your pics,for icefishing for pike yes,for my dream fish,no. If you like them and have confidense in the leaders,then by all means keep on using them! |
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Posts: 202
| Gene Seuring of Leaders and Lures of Rockford, IL makes the best leaders on the market. I met Gene at an open house at Gander Mountain last summer and he gave me the run down on his products I was very impressed. I used his 100 pound test fluorocarbon leader for the rest of the season with no problems at all. At the end of the season he upgraded to his 130 pound test Seaguar leader material. It is by far the best material on the market. Gene also makes flexible wire leaders that are kink resistant, I have tested the 100lb 19 strand leader on my gliders and it works great. The material that is used on the leaders is hardened alloy sleeves and retaining compound. Never again will I use a stiff wire leader after using these flexible wire leaders for my gliders. Gene has tested all his different size leaders and has never had one pull out of the sleeve. Ask for them at your local Gander Mountain or Smokey's Musky Shop.
Doug Kloet
http://www.muskymagictackle.com
Edited by Doug_Kloet 3/21/2008 2:40 PM
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Posts: 284
| I have to admit my favorite leaders are the titanium ones. I think the ones I have are made by terminator. They are pricey though I think they go for about 12 bucks. I only have two rods though so I am not outfitting 12 rods like some of these guys. I especially like the titanium ones for their solid wire ones for jerk baits. The steal straight wires always seam to get bent on me and then obviously cause the bait to run weird. I don't think that your asking for it using Berkley leaders though, I think you must not use expensive baits. If you are questioning what you are using because it may seem cheep then switch. Better to spend 12 bucks on a leader and never loose a bait than spend $1 on a leader and end up replacing a 20 bait. The ones I use also have a unique snap that I like that has a circle that the snap goes through before locking. Check the pick I drew it so I am sorry for the poor quality.
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Posts: 60
| i used the Berkeley leaders all last season and also had no problems, landed 19 on them. If I had one kink I'd just toss it, they're cheap! |
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Posts: 401
| 100% Stealth and Kevin Cochran Leaders.
Hand made by somebody on this board. I will never purchase over the counter again. I am sure John wishes there was a way to make them go bad so you would have to buy more. Couple packs will last a long time.
If you are looking for metal leaders I would contact Kevin Cochran. Again hand tied and top notch quality.
Keith
Edited by Professional Edge 3/22/2008 6:53 AM
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | I have to agree with Keith completely on this one. Stealth makes the best fluoro out there. And you won't find a better wire leader out there than Kevin's.
Aaron |
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Posts: 90
Location: ne53 | I agree with Keith and Aaron. I swithced over to #174 wire stealth leaders with the stay-lok snap 2 years ago and have never looked back. Best leader out there that you can have total confidence in my opinion. "www.stealthtackle.net" |
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Posts: 337
Location: Central WI | Thank you guys for all the input! I'll be looking into these other leaders. I never had any real problems with the Berkley leaders but I'd rather be safe than sorry. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Bought some really nices ones from Mike Hulbert last year at a show. Not sure if he has a website or what for them. I am sure you can email him and find out if he still makes them.
PS-I like the concept of buying them from a musky guide. You know they are good for obvious reasons...
Edited by tacklebooty 3/22/2008 1:25 PM
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | 130# STEALTH ALL THE WAY   |
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Posts: 223
Location: Minn. | Ditto |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | With those leaders you posted, you will have issues with them. They will break, come apart, snap, etc...
If you are using straight wire leaders, use 174 pound test and NO barrell swivels. If you use flouro go with 130 or 150 pound test and make sure you use a quality leader, not junk.
I have only used Stealth Tackle for the past several years. No breaks, no failures. I would highly suggest these leaders. If you go cheap you will have issues like losing a bait, or losing a bait stuck in a muskies mouth. Use quality stuff. Here is a link to what I am talking about: http://mikehulbert.com/leaders.shtml
Edited by MikeHulbert 3/22/2008 4:15 PM
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Posts: 1710
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I use all .035" single strand wire and 200 lb barrel/ball bearing swivels and #5 Stay Lock snaps. Never broken one apart and I have pulled them through a TON of rocks. I prefer them to have a swivel. Why no swivel Mike? |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I didn't say no swivel, I said, NO barrel swivel. Those are junk, cheap and break. Use a ball bearing swivel ONLY |
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Posts: 1710
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I use 1/0 barrel swivels and have NEVER broken one. I have opened up the Berkley Cross Lok snaps, but have never had a swivel fail. I use the ones from Stamina, Bass Pro, or Cabelas. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I run the Floro leaders that ToddM from this board makes. He makes a leader as nice as any mentioned above. That said, take a good look at any good leader and make them yourself also, if you choose, as there is no 'best' leader out there. I used to make my own, but just found that my time was better spent doing other things, so I buy my floro from ToddM, and steel from BaitmakerTackle. |
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Posts: 457
| Reef Hawg - 3/22/2008 5:24 PM
I run the Floro leaders that ToddM from this board makes. He makes a leader as nice as any mentioned above. That said, take a good look at any good leader and make them yourself also, if you choose, as there is no 'best' leader out there. I used to make my own, but just found that my time was better spent doing other things, so I buy my floro from ToddM, and steel from BaitmakerTackle.
What he said. (except that I make my own steel.) |
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Posts: 35
| This is what I started doing last year. Pretty easy to make.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3T8RTGU2nM
Dale |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | The concept is right, but the pound test is to light, barrel swivels are no good and the snaps aren't the best either, they open up to easy. Not trying to rip him, simply stating my opinion. |
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