| Sports-fishing is extremely diverse. While every | | | | who isn't using a fluro lead, you already know the |
| fishing scenario is different, there is some basic | | | | value of using them. The most effective leader |
| information that can help you understand the | | | | length in this case is between three and four feet. |
| concept of leaders and why they are helpful to | | | | Anything more or less will not give the desired |
| you as a fisherman. Basic information as leader | | | | results. |
| descriptions, when to use a leader and why to | | | | If you prefer braided lines, chances are that |
| use a leader can be information that will help you | | | | adding a monofilament leader can help |
| make an informed decision. | | | | tremendously. Monofilament has much less visibility |
| What is a leader? | | | | than braided line and offers far more flexibility. A |
| Leaders are a length of fishing line that attaches | | | | mono leader can help absorb the shock involved |
| between your bait and your main line. Leaders can | | | | with a fish determined to fight every step of the |
| be created from monofilament, fluorocarbon, steel | | | | way. Anglers who prefer graphite or fiberglass |
| or braid line. | | | | rods often find that a mono leader can help land |
| Why use a leader? | | | | that oversized fish on a short line. Typically a four |
| Using a leader can divert the attention of a fish | | | | to five foot leader is ideal but the minimum should |
| from your main line. It can also mean the | | | | be three feet. |
| difference between an intact line and one that is | | | | If the preferred catch of the day is Northern |
| sheared off due to a fish getting a little | | | | Pike, Muskellunge, Barracuda or bluefish, as you |
| aggressive and biting through your line. | | | | well know they are renowned for their nasty |
| When should I use a leader? | | | | teeth. These fish are also not particularly line shy. |
| A leader is especially helpful if you are dealing with | | | | Most anglers opt for the highly visible steel leader. |
| fish that are line shy. Great examples of these | | | | The steel leader boasts twenty to thirty pound |
| types of fish that migrate to the Northeast such | | | | weight and can handle most pikes and muskies, |
| as false albacore, Atlantic Bonito and Spanish | | | | though a bluefish would require a forty to sixty |
| Mackeral. When these fish are headed south, they | | | | pound leader. If you are angling for barracuda, the |
| tend to gorge on smaller bait-fish. This helps them | | | | recommendation is to go higher as they can easily |
| survive the long trek to warm water. These fish | | | | snap through eighty pound single strand wire as if |
| are gifted with keen site. If something appears | | | | it were thread. The blues and barracuda well |
| out of the ordinary, they will often pass up your | | | | known for scissor-sharp teeth are renowned for |
| bait, no matter how carefully you have prepared | | | | their ability to bite. You can use a lighter weight |
| it. This can be easily remedied by a fluorocarbon | | | | leader for pike and muskies since their teeth tend |
| leader. | | | | to be a it more needle-like. |
| The reason that fluorocarbon is so effective is | | | | Depending on your preferred catch various types |
| that it provides close to no light refraction. The | | | | of leaders are best. Often the right leader can |
| lighter the line, the less refraction. Fortunately the | | | | make the difference between a successful and |
| fish who are the easiest to lure using a | | | | productive day of fishing and an empty fry pan in |
| fluorocarbon lead mostly weigh in at less than ten | | | | the evening. Don't let the wrong leader material |
| pounds, you can use a twenty pound fluorocarbon | | | | cause you to miss the fish of your lifetime. |
| leader. If you've ever fished with another angler | | | | |