Posted 2/19/2013 8:06 AM (#618523) Subject: Leaders
Posts: 415
I started making all my own leaders this off season. I've been making single strand, 7 strand, mono and fluoro leaders. This got me to re-thinking what applications or baits I use with each type of leader. Despite musky fishing for over 10 years now I have never used 7-strand or mono leaders myself. Everything has been fluoro and single strand. So what types of leader do you use for different bait styles? Do you use snaps or just attach the bait to a split ring? Which lure types do you avoid using a barrel swivel on?
This is a general rundown of what I have been doing the last few years:
Dawgs/Rubber: single strand w/ barrel swivel
Bucktails/most cranks: fluoro w/ barrel swivel
Twitch/Jerk Baits: single strand no swivel
Trolling: Fluoro w/ barrel swivel
Suckers: Fluoro down to the snap, then 7 strand leads to the hooks
Also how do you guys feel about mono as a casting leader? I have a ton of 150lb and have been thinking about substituting some mono leaders for where I used to use fluoro leaders.
This subject has probably been beat to death, but I am extremely bored this time of year, and when I have brought this subject up to other local fisherman or guys at shows it amazes me the difference in opinions.
Posted 2/20/2013 11:50 AM (#618958 - in reply to #618770) Subject: Re: Leaders
Posts: 415
MikeHulbert - 2/19/2013 9:07 PM
14 inch Stealth Tackle 150 lb flouro leaders for every bait in the box...easy enough.
That sure is keeping it simple, and it obviously works quite well for you. I personally don't really care for fluorocarbon on baits like dawgs that can have a tendency to be swallowed. I once caught a solid upper 40's on a dawg and she had it completely in her mouth. I got her in the bag and a second later she bit right through that 150lb fluoro. Now it was while she was in the net which is different but still. I also feel like I get much better action on my WTD baits and lures like DDD's with a single strand leader with no barrel swivel.
Leaders