Leader length

[eimajretnuh]

Is there a recommended length when it comes to tying fluoro or mono leaders to braid? I've heard everything from a couple of feet to twice the length of your rod.

[MuskieBait]

Depends on situation.

In terms of visibility...

If you are fishing thick weeds, you may not even need to use a fluoro or mono leader when your braid is green or dark in colour. The line can be camouflaged by the weeds.

If you are fishing water with 3-4 feet clarity, you don't really need more than 3-4 feet of fluoro or mono usually.

If you are fishing gin clear water, such as Lake Simcoe where clarity can be 20-30 feet at times, a 10 feet long leader may not be enough with shy fish.

In terms of abrasion resistance...

If you only have woods and weeds to worry about, you likely don't need a fluoro or mono leader if you use 40lb or heavier braid.

If you are jigging bottom for fish over rock or mussel, and the fish is unlikely pull out significant line and to swim on the bottom for significant distance, 2-3 feet of fluoro or mono leader will provide adequate protection.

If you are fishing for strong fish that are likely to pull your line over bottom for quite a distance, such as Lake Trout, Channel Catfish or Sturgeon, then you would want much longer leader.

Other consideration...

Lure weight, rig weight, rod guide size, rod length, desired casting distance, line diameter...etc...will all determine how long that leader should be.

[eimajretnuh]

Thanks for the thorough response, MuskieBait. Appreciated.

(09-05-2016 04:02 PM)MuskieBait Wrote:  Depends on situation.

In terms of visibility...

If you are fishing thick weeds, you may not even need to use a fluoro or mono leader when your braid is green or dark in colour. The line can be camouflaged by the weeds.

If you are fishing water with 3-4 feet clarity, you don't really need more than 3-4 feet of fluoro or mono usually.

If you are fishing gin clear water, such as Lake Simcoe where clarity can be 20-30 feet at times, a 10 feet long leader may not be enough with shy fish.

In terms of abrasion resistance...

If you only have woods and weeds to worry about, you likely don't need a fluoro or mono leader if you use 40lb or heavier braid.

If you are jigging bottom for fish over rock or mussel, and the fish is unlikely pull out significant line and to swim on the bottom for significant distance, 2-3 feet of fluoro or mono leader will provide adequate protection.

If you are fishing for strong fish that are likely to pull your line over bottom for quite a distance, such as Lake Trout, Channel Catfish or Sturgeon, then you would want much longer leader.

Other consideration...

Lure weight, rig weight, rod guide size, rod length, desired casting distance, line diameter...etc...will all determine how long that leader should be.