What is a fishing leader? Very basically, a fishing leader is the last length of your fishing line before your hook. It serves a number of different purposes, and is usually a different material to your main line.
This post is a simple, easy to understand guide about fishing leaders. It includes information about the different types of fishing leaders you can get, as well as why you would need one.
What is a Fishing Leader?
A fishing leader is the last length of your fishing line before your hook.
It is the part of the line that goes into the water, and comes closest to the fish. For this reason, it needs to be less visible to the fish than your main line, and also stronger so it won’t break.
There are different types of leader for different types of fishing (fly, course or sea), but the two most common types of are fluorocarbon and monofilament leaders.
Fluorocarbon Vs Monofilament Leaders
The table below shows the basic differences between monofilament and fluorocarbon leaders, as well as which types of fishing they are best for.
A monofilament line, or “mono” is the most popular leader material. It has a higher stretch capability compared to fluorocarbon, and makes a good shock absorber.
With fluorocarbon, on the other hand, it’s easier to feel the fish bite, as they don’t stretch much. They provide excellent knot strength, and are more resistant to abrasion.
For more specific methods like casting lures, or trolling, a fluoro leader or braided line has more advantages over a mono line.
What Does a Leader Do in Fishing?
Fishing leaders have several purposes:
- To protect the line from breakages, snags or abrasion.
- To prevent the line becoming tangled, twisted or kinked.
- To avoid spooking the fish with an almost invisible wire.
- To make the fishing wire sink to the bottom.
- To be able to cast heavy leaders long distances without breaking the line.
- To give you more control over your line.
- To help you cast further, and with more accuracy.
- To make it easier to catch fish.
Should I Use a Leader When Fishing?
It is recommended that you always use a leader when fishing due to the benefits it will give you.
For example, if you are fishing in saltwater, saltwater fish are strong with sharp teeth, that could break your fishing line. If you have a leader, your line will be able to withstand the sharp teeth of the fish, and you are more likely to catch one.
Leader lines are also helpful if you are baitcasting or spinning, as they reduce the visibility of the line, and prevent the line getting twisted.
Can I use a Regular Fishing Line as a Leader?
You can use a regular fishing line as a leader, but the type of line you should use will depend on several factors including:
- Your Bait (fishing lure or float)
- Water conditions
- Type of fish you’re trying to catch
- Your reel type
- The colour of your line
There are three different types of fishing lines: braids, nylon monofilament, and fluorocarbon. Each line comes in different sizes and weights.
You should use the heavier line as your leader if you are expecting a lot of abrasion, or targeting large fish with sharp teeth. It is also better not to use a braided line as a leader, as it degrades much quicker than a monofilament or fluorocarbon line.
Should my Leader be Stronger than my Main Line?
In most cases your leader will actually be lighter than your main line. The only time you will need a leader that is stronger, and heavier than your main line, is if you are fishing by rocks, or for toothy fish.
If you are saltwater fishing, or trying to catch a sharp-toothed fish like a northern pike, you should make sure that your leader is stronger than your main line. Also if you are trying to catch a big fish that is likely to put up a fight.
How Long Should my Fishing Leader Be?
Fishing leaders are usually around 26 to 32 inches long. The length of line however, will depend on your type of fishing.
- Short leader – Use a shorter leader if you are fishing in water which has poor visibility. Shorter leaders are also useful if you need to increases the lure, fly, or bait movement.
- Long leader – Use a longer leader for surf casting, or in shallow, slow moving, still or clear water. Longer leaders are also better if you are using live bait, and for trolling.
In general, the clearer the water you are fishing in, the longer leader should be.
Short leaders would be less than 26 inches long, and long leaders would measure more than around 30 inches long.
How do You Attach a Leader to a Fishing Line
Two of the best knots to attach leader lines are albright knots, and double uni knots.
Albright Knot
The albright knot is easy to tie, and can join different types of fishing line such as monofilament to braided, or braided to wire. It is one of the best types of knot for joining lines of greatly unequal diameter, or different materials such as monofilament to braid.
The image below shows what an albright knot looks like.
