Tournament Leaders

[canyongear]

Leaders and Mainlines according to
IGFA..this came about after a discussion on leaders and lengths.

In actuality the leader is limited to length by the rules AND by the length of the mainline if doubled in any way in accordance with the IGFA rules as follows (in short not actual):

2-20# TEST
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2-20# Leader: MAX - 15 feet, that includes any snap, swivel or connection on the mainline end to the actual end of the lure or hook.

2-20#Leader and Mainline: MAX - 20 feet, total from the mailine beginning at the knot, braid, crimp etc which includes the length of the above leader as stated.

2#-20# Double Mainline: MAX - 15 feet of double mainline.

21-130#TEST
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21#-130# Leader: MAX - 30 feet, ditto above for the leader

21#-130# Leader and Mainline: MAX - 40 feet, ditto above for total mainline and leader.

21#-130# Double Mainline: MAX - 30 feet of double Mainline.

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What is interesting to us is that you actually penalize yourself "in total length" for not using a double mainline. As follows:

2-20#: by not using a double line you loose 5 feet of total length of double mainline and leader combined.

21-130#: ditto above you loose: 10 feet.

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In other words,

the longer the double mainline is to it's maximum length by line class above..the leader length must be adjusted accordingly to not exceed the total length of double line and leader combined.

On the same note,

Total leader length is dictated by the double main line length at maxium.

Max Double Line Length = What Leader Max:

2-20# test: Max Leader length = 5 feet

21#-130# test: Max Leader length = 10 feet

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On the flip side the Total Double Mainline Length Max is dictated by the leader length at maxium.

Max Leader Length = What Double Line Max:

2-20# test: Max Double Line = 5 feet

20#-130# test: Max Double Line = 10 feet

Then there is everything in between..which must add up to total leader and double line lengths allowed..

confused yet?

If this is not accurate..chim in.

out..

[Bert Rodgers]

IMO wind on leaders eliminates the need for double line longer than a simple loop for the leader.

Bert

[canyongear]

Bert a question..then a comment.

Do you have anything to do with Real Estate/Mortgage Schools?

Windons meaning direct to the hook? right?

[sancocho]

IMO wind on leaders eliminates the need for double line longer than a simple loop for the leader.

Bert

Correct!

Why to use a long double line?

The mates grab the double line to release a fish? NO,

Passing the long double line in the tip of the rod its a legal release in a tournament? NO,

suerte,

[captwally]

I know a little about this so...

1. If you are only going by IGFA rules, then you are catching the fish for a record. Therefore, a release does not matter.
2. If you touch the double it is automatically a disqualification by IGFA rules.
3. IGFA rules do not matter unless you are fishing for records or in a tournament that specifically goes by them.
4. Wind-on leaders still have to measure to the specified lengths.
5. If you are interested, www.igfa.org click on the fishing icon at the top then click on IGFA Rules. Every rule that has to do with record fishing is there.

As far as tournaments go, most of them require the swivel, or anything free of obstructions on the line above it, to touch the rod tip, or the leader to be touched, not the double line, by anybody on the boat for it to be a legal release.

Join the IGFA they are still one of the good ones.

[frankypettolina]

bottom line is 30 feet of leader on over 20 pound test, and 20 feet of leader on 20 and under- why make it confusing.

[ifish42na]

Here are the IGFA leader rules, clearly stated:

LEADER
The use of a leader is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications:

The length of the leader is the overall length including any lure, hook arrangement or other device. The leader must be connected to the line with a snap, knot, splice, swivel or other device. Holding devices are prohibited. There are no regulations regarding the material or strength of the leader.

Saltwater species:

In all line classes up to and including 20 lb (10 kg), the leader shall be limited to 15 feet (4.57 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 20 feet (6.1 meters).

The leader on all classes of tackle over 20 lb (10 kg) shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall be limited to 40 feet (12.19 meters).

Freshwater species:

The leader on all classes of tackle shall be limited to 6 feet (1.82 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 10 feet (3.04 meters).

[canyongear]

bottom line is 30 feet of leader on over 20 pound test, and 20 feet of leader on 20 and under- why make it confusing.

Frank,
the purpose wasn't to try and make it confusing..the purpose was to actually have a discussion on the combinations of double line and leader lengths and still be within reg's..

I actually did this for myself..and thought perhaps someone else might benefit from the information.

The leader length is clear and so is the double mainline length's..what isn't so clear is the combination of the two combined.

Basil,

do most of your customers go direct to the hook? or use a leader to the windon?
not talking tournament fishing..just a general question.

[Bert Rodgers]

Bert a question..then a comment.

Do you have anything to do with Real Estate/Mortgage Schools?

Windons meaning direct to the hook? right?

Not related to the Real Estate School guy in FL but I do have RE interests in MD(not sales).

When Billfishing the wind on goes to a snap swivel and the bait is on a short leader (30" for sails and whites, 48" for blues).



Bert

[canyongear]

so what does the wind-on leader become in tournament fishing a second leader? Im not sure how this is addressed if anyone knows?

In otherwords, if your using X lure or bait rig with a leader that then connects to wind-on, is that legal? or is it considered one leader even if the wind-on and X lure leader are diffrent #tests? as long as the combined length does not exceed the 30' lets say.