Lure/Shock leader

[JamesS]

You dont need a shock leader for a lure do you ?

[MrWiggly]

For a small spinning/feather type lure .. No.

 

If you have a decent breaking- strain line on your reel.

[essexbuoy]

Some people add a short length of fluorocarbon if they are plugging, not as a shockleader, more of a shock absorber when they use braid and in addition the trebles wont snag on this short length either. I don't bother though and fish braid right through to the plug.

[Toerag]

It depends how heavy the lure is, and the breaking strain of your main line, and if you're casting the lure. Most floating, diving plugs used for bassing are in the 10-20gm range (threequarter ounce) which should be castable on 12-15lb mono without a leader. However, some plugs with rattles in them like the bigger chugbugs can weigh over 2oz, and you will crack these off on 15lb mono. If you are using heavy metal spoons/spinners or big plugs then use a 30lb leader, or even better get some of the daiwa tapered carp leaders which allow you to use a smaller joining knot. Another company also makes tapered carp leaders, varivas I think. Remeber the formula - 10lb BS in line per ounce cast, plus 10lb for abrasion resistance.

[groyne bandit]

The stiffness & length of a rod can make a diference as well,,,,,a 8ft softish spinning rod will chuck a 28grm dexter all day ,,,,but a 12ft bass type rod will sometimes snatch & snap ,, ive also found that quality of line realy maters when you use 10lb or lower,,,,,it realy hurts when it snaps & off goes another 3quid lure coz youve saved 2 quid on the line,,,,,

Edited August 27, 2007 by groyne bandit

[UK_Ozzie]

Depends on the line class, the fish you are fishing for and the ground you are fishing.

 

If you are fishing for largish fish on light line then it pays to use a leader.

 

::Say 8lb line using 16lb leader for largish Pike in open water

 

If your are fishing around grounds where say there are eg:zebra mussels or rock, reef on light line then maybe use a leader.

 

::say 10lb line and 20lb leader where there maybe mussel encrusted pylons or rugged rock drop offs

 

If you are using heavy lure on light then you probably want to use a casting leader.

 

::say 8lb line and a 16lb casting leader for a heavy plug to absorb inertia

 

If your trolling a lure in a boat and suing a wind on leader to gain control of the fish when it nears the boat preventing the line to snap

 

::Say ocean trolling with 20lb and a 100lb wind on to bring a Spanish mackerel to and in the boat by the leader

 

Leaders can do a number of things:

 

Prevent wear from fish (beaks, teeth), rocks, mussels, reef, structure

 

Absorb shock from casting, fish strikes

 

Gain control of fish with the same weight or larger than the breaking strain of the main line

 

Using braid a leader in fluorocarbon can provide less visibility of the line to the fish and prevent cut injuries from the braid to angler and fish.

 

Twisted leaders tend to provide much greater absorption, good for braid but can create unnecessary drag if used for deep water bottom fishing.

Edited August 29, 2007 by UK_Ozzie