Which leader?
h20wolf
Posted 3/4/2010 7:49 AM (#426895)
Subject: Which leader?





Posts: 126


I have gotten in the habit of using flouro leaders for everything because I like the fact they don't kink easy and I fish some clear waters. Will this negatively affect the action on some baits like walk the dog topwaters or glidebaits. I tried to look this up in my complete guide to musky hunting book but didn't find it. Thanks
muskie! nut
Posted 3/4/2010 8:21 AM (#426903 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 2894


Location: Yahara River Chain
Some guys say no, but I use single strand wire I bend myself. And you can too. I also don't use snap and if the bait doesn't roll, I don't use a swivel. On the WTD topwaters you want the nose of the bait to ride high and if you have a bunch of heavy hardware on the nose that will retard action.


Edited by muskie! nut 3/4/2010 8:23 AM
Esoxonthefly421
Posted 3/4/2010 8:31 AM (#426906 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?




Posts: 292


Location: SW MI
I use single strand on all jerk baits and anything that walks the dog. I find that I get a better action with wire because it's a solid length of leader between your line and the lure and it doesn't foul on the lure as easy.
markw
Posted 3/4/2010 9:16 AM (#426914 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: RE: Which leader?




Posts: 35


Location: Apple Valley, MN
I pretty much use single strand for everything but bucktails and spinnerbaits ( I use 7 strand on those). Depending on the lure, I may use a swivel with some gliders and jerks. But in most applications its a loop with a welded ring on one end, and a loop with a split ring on the other end. Snap-locks can easily be slipped on if I want to use them. I usually go with a split ring unless it's one of those days that requires throwing everything in the box to get some action!

I'm not concerned about failure with snap-locks or floro as some are. I've used them and never had a failure. I guess I just feel that the odds of boating a hooked fish will always be greater when there are less components (or things that could go wrong) between my hands and the fish.

I picked up a Dubro tool and make my own very inexpensively. If I see a bend, I don't thing twice about throwing it out. Might be just me since I'm a father of 3 boys that can eat me out of house and home, but But a floro leader that doesn't show nicks and costs much, much more always runs that risk of being thrown just one time too many to save some $
edalz
Posted 3/4/2010 9:44 AM (#426920 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 458


I like the Stealth jerkbait leaders.
jackson
Posted 3/4/2010 12:22 PM (#426947 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?




Posts: 582


single wire for jerkbaits and WTD baits as it doesn't get tangled as easily. Mono for everything else. Single strand leaders have never seemed to cause any issue with catching fish for me. My personal best was using a single strand wire in clear water.
kyle@bigwoodmuskylur
Posted 3/5/2010 7:41 PM (#427233 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 131


I like the single strand as well for this application. Muskie! nut made a key point regarding less hardware for better action. You can make your own, or Stealth Tackle makes a leader specifically for this purpose that Big Wood, as well as a number of other retailers, carry.
lambeau
Posted 3/5/2010 8:42 PM (#427240 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: RE: Which leader?


i've found that fluoro works just fine for WTD topwaters such as the Weagle or One-Eyed Willie. it's all in that pop of the slack, really. experiment a little and see which one works better for you and go with that.

regardless of whether you like fluoro or wire, choose a leader made from the best possible components: Stealth Tackle.
http://stealthtackle.net/



Edited by lambeau 3/5/2010 8:43 PM
Esox-Hunter
Posted 3/5/2010 10:02 PM (#427249 - in reply to #426914)
Subject: RE: Which leader?





Posts: 774


Location: South East Wisconsin
Mark W, you say "its a loop with a welded ring on one end". Does that mean you are tying your main line to the solid ring? Why? I use floro for tails/cranks/some topwater. Other wise its a solid wire for the rest of my baits.
fiedler
Posted 3/6/2010 7:15 AM (#427268 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: RE: Which leader?


check out the Gregg thomas hybrid leader from stealth tackle. its 3' of fluorocarbon with a 4" solid wire leader.
ttrap
Posted 3/6/2010 8:52 AM (#427279 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?




Posts: 279


What's the minimum lb test of the solid wire. I got some from mto that was 174 lb, is that heavy enough? What about the 124lb?
Jsondag
Posted 3/6/2010 9:50 AM (#427286 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 692


Location: Pelican Rapids, MN
Flouro - is created to sink, so on topwaters I also prefer welded ring straight single strand wire. Flouro will work on many topwaters, however, single strand like 100# Malin wire just works better.

The 174# is pretty heavy duty, I am a believer in heavy line etc. and the 100# is plenty.
muskie! nut
Posted 3/6/2010 5:11 PM (#427341 - in reply to #427279)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 2894


Location: Yahara River Chain
ttrap - 3/6/2010 8:52 AM

What's the minimum lb test of the solid wire. I got some from mto that was 174 lb, is that heavy enough? What about the 124lb?


174# normally has a dia of .029 which is normal for jerkbaits. You can go heavier but don't really need to. I think the 124# is about .021 dia. and that is a bit light for big jerks. I would use that for smaller cranks and if you use single strand for smaller bucktails I would use that.
Esox-Hunter
Posted 3/6/2010 5:27 PM (#427344 - in reply to #427341)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 774


Location: South East Wisconsin
Muskie! Nut, you are the man when it comes 2 leaders. I remember you gave a detailed posting about leaders few years back. I printed that and still reference it 2 this day!
muskie! nut
Posted 3/6/2010 7:26 PM (#427351 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 2894


Location: Yahara River Chain
Like Esox-Hunter says. I have a two page PDF format article about how to bend wire for single strand leaders (or bucktail shaft loops as well). Email me at [email protected] and I will gladly send you the document.
lambeau
Posted 3/6/2010 8:03 PM (#427353 - in reply to #427286)
Subject: Re: Which leader?


Flouro - is created to sink, so on topwaters I also prefer welded ring straight single strand wire.

Jerry...please tell me you see the humor hidden in what you said there.
muskihntr
Posted 3/6/2010 8:50 PM (#427355 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?




Posts: 2037


Location: lansing, il
We make a Walk the Dog/Topwater leader specificly for throwing side to side gliders and surface baits. It is 12" solid wire with a Stringease Stay-Lok snap and no swivel. We can custom make them with a solid ring as well upon request. It is made with 174# wire. Going lighter on the wire is definetly possible however the lighter you go the easier it will bend and kink.


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WI Skis
Posted 3/6/2010 8:56 PM (#427357 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 547


Location: Oshkosh
I do basically the same as John does above, only I connect to the bait with a split ring and no snap. Seems to work good and doesnt take much more time if any with a good split ring pliers.

Peter
Esox-Hunter
Posted 3/6/2010 9:16 PM (#427362 - in reply to #427357)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 774


Location: South East Wisconsin
This is what I am going to try this coming season. Leader is 12 inches long (174# .029) loop at one end; other end consists of loop with welded ring, along with split ring. I thought it would solve the problem of the leader finding its way into the split ring.


Edited by Esox-Hunter 3/6/2010 9:19 PM



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dfkiii
Posted 3/7/2010 1:20 AM (#427389 - in reply to #427353)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Location: Sawyer County, WI
lambeau - 3/6/2010 8:03 PM

Flouro - is created to sink, so on topwaters I also prefer welded ring straight single strand wire.

Jerry...please tell me you see the humor hidden in what you said there.



I too was wondering where I can find this magical floating single strand wire !
VMS
Posted 3/7/2010 8:03 AM (#427396 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 3480


Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Hi everyone,

for those using solid rings, where do you get them from? I've been wanting to add those to my leaders but have not done any searching for them.

Thanks.

steve
muskie! nut
Posted 3/7/2010 8:39 AM (#427400 - in reply to #427396)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 2894


Location: Yahara River Chain
VMS - 3/7/2010 8:03 AM

for those using solid rings, where do you get them from?


I didn't need many and I too wanted some solid weld rings, I got them off a used ball bearing swivel.
muskihntr
Posted 3/7/2010 8:46 AM (#427402 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?




Posts: 2037


Location: lansing, il
Call Rollies they now stock them.
JimtenHaaf
Posted 3/7/2010 11:00 AM (#427437 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 717


Location: Grand Rapids, MI
I've heard of Thorne & R/H being out recently. If worst comes to worst, you can take a split ring and solder it together.
muskihntr
Posted 3/7/2010 4:47 PM (#427501 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?




Posts: 2037


Location: lansing, il
I heard Rollies has them in stock. Best way to find out....715-356-6011
AWH
Posted 3/7/2010 5:23 PM (#427507 - in reply to #426895)
Subject: Re: Which leader?





Posts: 1243


Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN
I also heard that Rollies has them in stock. I was told this by the source that sent them there.

Aaron