Soft leader material

[ChrisW_]

Following hard on the heels of the previous question on leaders, I thought I would share my experiences with leaders that might make you re-consider your choices.

Up til a couple years ago, I preferred to use 100lb nylon leaders, it had the tensile strenght EXCEPT it didn't have the strenght at the solid ring. The knot was not at fault, the mono cut through at the ring due to the pressure we were putting on the fish. We are regularly catching Yellowtail up to 80lb and Wreakfish over 100lbs all on jigs.

After losing a number of jigs, it dawned that the mono was being cut through at the ring like butter. I changed to a harder mono which made all the difference.

An alternative is to use a leader of your preference but include some loop protection or a plastic thimble with crimp or knot.

[Sea Draggin]

Thanks Chris, I appreciate your input. What are your feelings on Jinkai specifically. Do you find it to be too soft?

[shoefish]

I'd be curious to find out if/when you use mono or flouro for jigging. I have always used Seaguar flouro because it's a harder flouro, but wonder if the mono would give the jig a different action.

[ChrisW_]

Thanks Chris, I appreciate your input. What are your feelings on Jinkai specifically. Do you find it to be too soft?

I've been using Jinkai leader for jigging recently and I like it ! . It might be the answer to a great all round leader material because I am for ever changing my terminal knots. Pony Liu from Jigging Master gave me a link to a Japanese knot site and said that this was one of the knots to use. I'll look it up and post a link later. I'm sure the Jinkai would be very reliable with these improved knots.

[ChrisW_]

I'd be curious to find out if/when you use mono or flouro for jigging. I have always used Seaguar flouro because it's a harder flouro, but wonder if the mono would give the jig a different action.

I'm sure that lighter mono will give the jig more action. As to mono over fluoro? Hard call because much depends on the line thickness since that might have an over-riding effect over leader material.

I usually use 100-160lb Seaguar because I feel it has an edge plus it is a hard material which I prefer up to now. New Zealand is still a pristine fishing destination as Chip will attest to. Fluoro use is not always neccessary because of our fish-rich waters but I still like to use it.

[Sea Draggin]

Chris,
I will give you a tip to try with your flourocarbon. Here in NC we troll for giant bluefin tunas using long 75' lengths of 150 -200lb flouro. One trick we have learned is "stretching".

I take a 75 feet length and tie one end off to the boat. I coil it out, then with a pair of gloves, pull on it. You really have to lean into it and it will stretch 3 - 4 feet. When you get done, it will actually be about 78 feet long.

The effect is it lowers the diameter and makes it limp as a noodle. I have not seen that it takes away any strength, as the tuna would have stretched it in the first minute anyway.

Let me know if you try this.

[Sea Draggin]

As a follow up to this, you probably could stretch out a 75 foot piece, then cut it into three pieces to use.

[ChrisW_]

Thanks for the tip SD. If I re-coil the leader, will it still be limp when I go to use it?

[Sea Draggin]

What we were doing is storing the leaders off the reels at night. We would coil them into 16" to 20 inch coils and lay them flat.

[ChrisW_]

What we were doing is storing the leaders off the reels at night. We would coil them into 16" to 20 inch coils and lay them flat.

Thanks Jim, great advice