Shock leader advice

[bigandy]

Hi Guys, back to fishing after a good few years break. i used to fish with straight mainline then my trace. Everyone seems to be using shock leader now, I have tried this, Igot told it needs to be twice the length of my rod and of breaking strain 60lb up over. I have tried using it, I have 18lb main attached to 70lb shock leader then my trace. I can understand using this over rough ground/ rock marks, I have been fishing the tyne mainly and have found the shock leader to be a right chew on. I don't like having to tie fancy knots to keep my knot small, i feel it clipp my rod eyes when casting to. Last week I ditched the shock leader and fished with my main and trace with no problems, I would like some advice regarding peoples opinions when it comes to reasons for using please and if you think I am making a mistake niot using a shock leader.
cheers

[endurothumpers]

hi i'm also just getting back into fishing and never used to use shockleaders and i was always getting crackoffs.i was out yesterday for the first time in years beach fishing and i used a 60lb shockleader with 18lb mainline no crackoffs no problems.i think the shockleader is for the safety and taking the strain of casting the lead not just for fishing rough ground.i must admit though tying the shockleader on was a bit of a pain but i'm sure with practice it will get easier

[shaun]

people say for every ounce of wieght you use, you use 10lb of shockleader, so 5oz wieght = 50lb shockleader but this is more for powerfull casts. i use
40lb(0.65) line for my shockleader and use 5oz and 6oz and its fine and makes a much smaller knot than your 70lb will therefore not catching eyes.

[gary2010]

its for the safety of people around u when casting, i use 18lb mainline with a 60lb shockleader i reel the shockleader on my reel from 1 side to the other then have a drop to my reel i would say about 10-15 turns on my reel then a drop to my reel, sometimes i use a longer shockleader when fishing on the pier sometimes i have a shorter. i tie the albright knot for my shockleader now and sometimes the bimini twist.

Albright Knot | How to tie the Albright Knot | Fishing Knots

[kensr27sz]

if you are fishing rocky areas you could use 40 lb up over straight through , shockers are mainly used when fishing sandy or mixed ground marks when using lighter 15 to 20 lb main line , to get more distance . if you are using 5oz leads drop down to 50lb shocker or even 40 lb if you are not power casting there fore the knots will be smaller , or even use tapered shockers but they are expensive . hope this helps .

[Stewart 1971]

Shockleader is there for safety of everyone around you. Here is why

Death by lead & the shock leader ? - World Sea Fishing Forums

One person has been killed and others seriously injured due to people not using it. I hope I'm never fishing anywhere near you if you are using 18lb line and no leader, that is a death waiting to happen.

Tieing a leader knot is not difficult and once learnt takes seconds while it only takes one mistimed cast and a crackoff to seriously hurt someone.

Rant over

[dizzydaz]

i use 60 greased weasal most of the time unless im on a beech and there is nobody around then il just use 30lb straight through
on another note a few times i have used tapered shockleader wich runs from 15lb right upto 60lb but i have noticed with this is that you dont get a long enough piece from it as its already been cut pieces

[lukey]

I didn't use one at first but swear by it now especially for safety as I nearly clocked a friend in the head with a 5oz lead when trying to give my rod a good whip.....every time a see youngings fishing Now a always offer to show how to put them on.......

[Stewart 1971]

i use 60 greased weasal most of the time unless im on a beech and there is nobody around then il just use 30lb straight through
on another note a few times i have used tapered shockleader wich runs from 15lb right upto 60lb but i have noticed with this is that you dont get a long enough piece from it as its already been cut pieces

What tapered leaders are you using Daz? I've used the Daiwa ones and the Varivas ones and they are all more than plenty long enough.

[Stewart 1971]

people say for every ounce of wieght you use, you use 10lb of shockleader, so 5oz wieght = 50lb shockleader but this is more for powerfull casts. i use
40lb(0.65) line for my shockleader and use 5oz and 6oz and its fine and makes a much smaller knot than your 70lb will therefore not catching eyes.

If the leader knot is catching your eyes it is because the leader is not long enough. If the rod tip is still in recovery when the knot is passing through it will rattle through the eyes because of the tip vibration. Try a longer leader and see if you notice a difference.

As for 40lb leader IMHO that is too light. The leader is there for safety to protect against abrasion and with thinner line this will be much more of a problem. I usually use tapered leaders 15lb - 70lb over clean ground and for parallel leaders use 80lb over mixed - rough ground and I rarely if ever have a problem with the leader knot rattling through the eyes.

[adam123]

i usually use 18lb or 20lb line with a 60lb greased weasel leader and even though its fairly time consuming tying the Bimini twist when you loose your leader i'd rather waste time doing that then feeling nervous about cracking off and hitting somebody with a six ounce lead, also thanks 'Malcolm tucker' for the advice on a longer leader so the knot doesn't rattle through the rings i will have to try that.