leader length

[armagh6]

Guys, generally what length of fluoro leader do you recommend, say when attached to 6lb braid? Referring to both SPs and bait. Recently I've had a few annoying breakages fishing for bream where it snapped right at the joint. I had approx 1 metre of 6lb fluorocarbon attached to 6lb braid, tied with a double uni. Is there a better option such as a better knot, longer leader to provide more shock absorbption, or small swivel etc?

[JOC00L]

Breaking at the join is 9 times out of 10 due to knot failure. Having a longer leader won't fisx that I don't think. I was always having that problem, and I figured it was my knots. I increased the number of turns I do with the braid, and it has increased my knot strength.

I was using a 8 turn knot on the braid with 5-6 on the mono. Now I use minimum 10 on the braid, sometimes 12, and 7-8 on the mono. See if that helps.

[armagh6]

I was using a 8 turn knot on the braid with 5-6 on the mono. Now I use minimum 10 on the braid, sometimes 12, and 7-8 on the mono. See if that helps.

Jo, as you know, the double uni has 2 sides pulled together. I normally put 4 turns on each side, totalling 8. Are you saying 10 on the braid and 8 on the leader, totalling 18?

[JOC00L]

Jo, as you know, the double uni has 2 sides pulled together. I normally put 4 turns on each side, totalling 8. Are you saying 10 on the braid and 8 on the leader, totalling 18?

Yep. It's no wonder your knots are letting go. 4 turns in the braid is NOWHERE near enough turns!

Oh...and I will normally start with about 1 to 1.5 rod length of leader. I will keep using it till it gets down to about 2 foot (60cm).

[armagh6]

Yep. It's no wonder your knots are letting go. 4 turns in the braid is NOWHERE near enough turns!


thanks for the tip Jo, but I'm very surprised at your comment. 4 turns on each side is exactly 'going by the book'. Have a look at this link:
http://www.fishnet.com.au/library/knotsrigs/doubleuni.html

[Peril]

Sean, Joe, as usual, is right. The lighter the line the more turns you need in a uni knot.

[JOC00L]

The book was written years ago! Before the advent of Braid and GSP lines. The newer lines are slippery, strong and very thin, so the techniques need to be improved to keep up with them. If you get the latest Geoff Wilson book, you will notice that it says to increase the number of all turns in Braid.:)

[armagh6]

OK, thanks a lot for the advice guys, it's much appreciated!
Out of curiosity though, what does adding extra turns actually do to the knot? (I would have thought that it simply lessens the chance of the knot becoming loose, as opposed to adding strength to the knot). The problem I'm having is that the knot simply breaks rather than becoming loose.

thanks
Sean

[swoffa]

1m is not long enough benerally and the plastic won't sink/swim well with such a short leader. Use at least a rod length where the situation allows.

I use "Swoffa's Improved Albright" for my leader knots, haven't had one fail in years.

[beats]

Swoffa's got your knot (improved albright), but if still having trouble beef it up again by tying a short(3-4 inch) double in your braid with a biminy twist,this stops your braid from cutting through your leader.
Greg...

[stylo]

Hmm, easier for me to ask in the thread than start a new one ..

What size flourocarbon leader should I use on 14lb fireline on a 5-8kilo line on 4000 size reel ?

Targetting 'heavier' species.

Thanks Jo

[Mr Potato Head]

Is there really any need for a double in 6ld line?
The surgeons knot is simple and hasnt let me down.. Plenty of spit.


Stylo, what sort of heavier species?? What sort of structure and where are you fishing? these have the most effect on what leader strenght you need.

[beats]

What Potato said, depends on the conditions & target species this will govern what weight leader you need to use !
Need some more info for the guys to answer your question for you.

[neilm]

OK, thanks a lot for the advice guys, it's much appreciated!
Out of curiosity though, what does adding extra turns actually do to the knot? (I would have thought that it simply lessens the chance of the knot becoming loose, as opposed to adding strength to the knot). The problem I'm having is that the knot simply breaks rather than becoming loose.

thanks
Sean

In additions to Joe's comment, make sure that you lubricate the knot to the leader with plenty of spit - the heat caused by the abrasion when you tighten the knot damages floro badly and could cause the symptom you describe. I have also had instances on one or two occasions of bad batches of line. Try a strength check with no knots.

Cheers,
neil

[stylo]

OK, how about 'a range of leaders' that you would use to target flatties and pelagics (rats, salmon) etc. on larger 80-110mm plastics on 14 lb fireline. This is for my heavier plastic chucking combo)

Being land based, my options are obviously wharves etc. where there are pylons and in some places rocks/oysters .. so those are my concerns I guess when choosing leader, though I would rather something lighter for more takes than something that is heavier but might be ignored by the finicky ones.

I've been told 20lb FC would be a good start but would that be on the heavy side


Thx !

[Mr Potato Head]

10 - 15lb would be adweuate for them species.