What Is A Leader in Fishing? A Detailed Overview For a successful fishing trip, you need to have the right equipment. One such piece of equipment that you must have is the fishing leader. It is sometimes the most overlooked yet really important piece of equipment that you need on your fishing expedition. Many fishermen will attest to how useful the fish leaders are especially if you are a saltwater angler. Fish leaders protect you from a snapped line so proving immensely helpful. The difference between a successful fishing expedition and coming home empty-handed is a fishing leader, so, it is immensely important to understand what is a leader in fishing.
Let’s talk about the fishing leader and its purpose in detail….
Contents
What is a Fishing Leader?
A fishing leader is a short and extra-strong fishing line. It is attached between the ends of your main fishing line, lure, and hook. Its visibility to fish is less and it is more resistant to breaking than your main fishing line. The fishing leader is often connected to the fishing line using a knot and comes in handy especially when you fish for toothed fish. The length of the fishing leader can vary between 12 – 20 feet.
What is the Purpose of a Fishing Leader?
A fishing leader is used for two main reasons:
- To protect your main fishing line against damage and breaking.
- To have a better bait presentation.
A leader is something that should accompany you on your fishing trip whether you need it or not. It dramatically increases your chances of success, just tie the lure to the main end of the fishing line and start your fishing adventure.
What are the Types of a Fishing Leader?
Here are the most commonly used types of fishing leaders that you can choose from….
1. Standard Monofilament Leader
The standard monofilament leader uses a single strand of strong and thinly-spun lines. This type of fish leader is resistant to abrasion, absorbs sunlight, and provides some stretch. These fish leaders are relatively cheaper and easier to work with as they are a bit flexible. They have the capability of absorbing the impact of aggressive fish with their flexibility. They have some disadvantages as well like they deteriorate over time with exposure to UV light.
2. Wire Fishing Leader
Wire leaders are the extra-strong type of fishing leaders. They are not as invisible as other types of leaders but definitely come in handy while trying to catch massive fish with sharp teeth. Wire fishing leaders have sizes, lengths, and types like single-strand, multi-strand, and knottable.
3. Fluorocarbon Monofilament Leader
Fluorocarbon Monofilament Leader is an expensive type of fishing leader due to its features. These leaders are less porous, have less visibility and stretch, and use a single strand of monofilament. Fluorocarbon leaders are less flexible, so it’s easier to feel smaller bites. They have the great abrasion resistance and provide excellent knot strength. These leaders don’t absorb water and have zero deterioration in UV light. The only downside of this fishing leader is that it is slightly more expensive than other leader types.
How to Make a Fishing Leader?
There is no rocket science involved in making a fish leader as it is a quite simple procedure.
Required Equipment
Here is the equipment that you need to make a fish leader….
- Fishing Line
- Leader Line
- Swivel
- Lure and Hook
- Sinker
- Pliers and Scissors
Step 1: Determining the Length of Leader Line
Determining the length of the leader line is entirely based on personal experience and preferences. You will find the length of most leaders around 24 – 30 inches. You can go up to 40 inches in case you are using live bait. This extra leader length will allow the live bait to swim around more.
There are a variety of factors to consider when determining the length of your leader line. The most important factor is the weight of your lure. Heavier lures require a longer leader line to prevent the lure from hitting the water and causing a disturbance. Other factors to consider include the size and species of fish you are targeting, as well as the type of water you will be fishing in. A general rule of thumb is to use a leader line that is six times the length of your rod.
Step 2: Attaching the Swivel to Leader Line
Swivels allow the leader line to rotate freely underwater by twisting the main fishing line. You can attach the swivel to the leader line using a surgeon loop. You can also use a swivel with a snap-on clip to easily add/remove weight to the rig setup.
There are a variety of ways to attach a swivel to your leader line. One popular method is the use of a barrel swivel. Barrel swivels have a small hole in the center that allows you to easily attach it to your leader line. Another option is using a snap swivel. A snap swivel has a small metal loop on one end that can be easily attached to your leader line, and a metal clip on the other end that can be attached to your bait or lure.
Step 3: Attaching Lure or Hook to Leader Line
You have attached the swivel to one end of the leader line, now it is time to tie a hook or lure to it. You can use various types of knots when tying a hook-like snelling knot that provides strong knot strength. Tie on a hook to the other end of the leader line using the snelling knot. Finally, you have successfully mastered making a fishing leader.
There are many techniques for attaching a lure or hook to a leader line. One of the most common is using a loop knot. The loop knot is easy to tie and can be used with any type of leader line. Another option is using a clinch knot. This knot is also easy to tie and is very strong. It can be used with both braided and monofilament leader lines.
Some Major Fish Leader Considerations
- The monofilament and the fluorocarbon leaders have various types. Choosing the right one depends on the type of fish you are going after.
- The monofilament leader isn’t recommended for toothed fish as it is not strong enough for them.
- The fluorocarbon fish leader is ideal for fish like dogtooth tuna, bluefish, and mackerel.
- Wire leaders can kink easily and end up creating a weak spot.
- All these fish leaders have the capability to make the fish concentrate on the bait and swim towards it.
- A strong fish leader allows you to tire the fish and reel in it.
How to Be a Successful Fisherman?
There is no one secret to becoming a successful fisherman, but if you want to increase your chances of reeling in the big one, there are a few things you can do. First and foremost, it’s important to be passionate about fishing and to constantly learn as much as you can about the sport. Secondly, you need to make sure you have the right gear for the type of fishing you’re doing. Finally, it’s essential to practice your casting and trolling techniques as often as possible. With patience and perseverance, anyone can become a successful fisherman.
Wrapping Up
A lot of people ask questions about the fishing leader like what they are, their types, and usage. This guide is here to help you answer all your concerns about the fish leaders and make an informed decision. Always take a suitable fish leader with you on a fishing expedition and enjoy your trip thoroughly.
