BassCody's thread on what Monofilament to use lead me on a quest. I had replied over there that a buddy of mine uses 12 lb Trilene Big Game almost exclusively and after posting that I did a search on that line to see what types/colors they make. I found the regular TBG, but I also found that they have Trilene Big Game Leader. I was surprised because when I looked at the strength of it (on the Walmart site http://www.walmart.com/ip/Berkley-Trilene-Big-Game-Fishing-Line-110-yd-Leader-Coil/21578470?action=product_interest&action_type=image&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=74899615187&category=0%3A4125%3A546956%3A111667%3A1079504%3A1079524&client_guid=ecd81f6a-e98e-4173-8a70-981f5fce655b&config_id=2&parent_item_id=16880447&guid=2bca8aa4-a66a-4474-bc5f-701df78e9237&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n) I found that they offer from 100 lb test up to 400 lb test. Does anyone use leader line that heavy for anything??? When I use a leader (which is rare unless I'm fishing with braid or I'm Carolina rigging) it's always the same or a little lighter than the main line. If I went heavier it would be because I didn't have anything else on hand.

 

So, what are the guidelines for leader lines? What do you use in what situations and why? Is leader line specially formulated or what? What's the big deal about leader line vs regular line as leader line?

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

 

BassCody's thread on what Monofilament to use lead me on a quest. I had replied over there that a buddy of mine uses 12 lb Trilene Big Game almost exclusively and after posting that I did a search on that line to see what types/colors they make. I found the regular TBG, but I also found that they have Trilene Big Game Leader. I was surprised because when I looked at the strength of it (on the Walmart site http://www.walmart.com/ip/Berkley-Trilene-Big-Game-Fishing-Line-110-yd-Leader-Coil/21578470?action=product_interest&action_type=image&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=74899615187&category=0%3A4125%3A546956%3A111667%3A1079504%3A1079524&client_guid=ecd81f6a-e98e-4173-8a70-981f5fce655b&config_id=2&parent_item_id=16880447&guid=2bca8aa4-a66a-4474-bc5f-701df78e9237&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n) I found that they offer from 100 lb test up to 400 lb test. Does anyone use leader line that heavy for anything??? When I use a leader (which is rare unless I'm fishing with braid or I'm Carolina rigging) it's always the same or a little lighter than the main line. If I went heavier it would be because I didn't have anything else on hand.

 

So, what are the guidelines for leader lines? What do you use in what situations and why? Is leader line specially formulated or what? What's the big deal about leader line vs regular line as leader line?

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

 

Yup, for saltwater fishing you do use 100 to 400 lb leader.

 

.

Yep Salt fishers use that... Could you imagine a Carolina rig with a piece of 400 pound leader? You would need a good set of Belgiums to pull that knot tight! Or Jacks....

Leader is much more stiff and tough than regular line and is used for saltwater fishing.  We freshwater guys go with regular mono or fluoro most times.  I pick a leader that is smaller and less observable as the leader on heavy main lines such as Carolina rigs.  Same for dropshots where I use 10 lb braid as mainline and 6-8 lb fluoro as leader.  Lighter line gives baits more natural movement and gets more bites.

Leader line is more abrasion resistant and stiffer than it's main line counterpart.  Abrasion resistant for open water, catch Kingfish and you will know why.  I don't target fish that would require a 100-400# leader.  I use anywhere from 30-60# leaders and I've caught triple digit fish.

Inshore I cut my leaders from mono, Big Game is 1 brand I use along with Ande, these leaders are 20-40#.  My leader is predicated on where I'm fishing, my rod and my target fish.

 

In freshwater I cut from Pline floroclear in different sizes for my leaders.

Yes, in the salt. When tournament fishing for sharks we step up to 600 mono with a 4-6' single wire leader.