Two stage leaders for the braid boys.

topbanana

Well-known member
I've been out today and it went spot on with a two stage leader I read about on the Whitby site, these lads have tried everything.

For the two stage leader ( I know it sounds an impractical nightmare ) I join braid to braid with uni to uni then mono to braid with a spider hitch in the braid joined to the mono with the yukatan knot. 100lb braid and 60lb mono just to add a bit of stretch to the set up. Make the mono leader long or short enough depending how you view it lol so the knot sits above the guide on the butt section to avoid ring wraps. I've never had ring wrap with a braid leader so I use a relatively long one.

Ok that's the explanation out the way and it worked a treat today with no problems regarding ring wrap and pulling for breaks was also no problem with me either losing/straightening hooks or busting the rotten bottom. Not once did the leader/leaders let me down.

Just thought I would share this for anyone interested. For the record I was blasting 7oz namix and pretty big baits.
 
Definitely mate. I clip most my rigs up except for really heavy ground. Like I say it sounds like a chew on but I've got complete faith in it now. I fished the Tyne yesterday for example and got hung up twice solid. Here we go I thought but I just wound down wrapped the braid round my priest and pulled out of it resulting in a ball of mono leaders etc. Tied properly it's very, very strong and adds that bit stretch into the set up.
 
I am gonna try that mate, always looking for slight improvements and the only thing I hate about using braid is the way clipped up rigs disengage in mid flight. Many thanks for the heads up.
Been working on some new design combined rotten bottom and bait clips as well, variations on pix I have seen lately on the various sites, I think I have just about got them right now but need to do some more testing. Will post a pic when they are right.
 
I was the same mate, but when I changed to a more powerful rod I can't keep big baits in the clips now on the cast. I guess its because with a full braid set up the only stretch is in the rig body, that's what lads on here told me anyway. Hopefully this 2 stage leader will help.
 
I always thought this is the way to use braid on long rod, I use 80lb whiplash to 80lb mono, then to 80lb rig body,
also I use 45lb whiplash to 80lb braid to 80lb mono then same rig body cast well off T1000
I was pulling kelp stalks out on Sunday without any 45lb line parting, think the mono gave it the stretch ?
 
What trace line are people using? My pal was having problems with sakuma 'rubber band' trace line. Swapped to low stretch ultima 80lb and problems all but dissapeared. I find you need to have your traces tight, ie all slackness removed or traces will unclip. A smooth casting style helps too.
 
How many turns do you need in a spider hitch for braid Nicky?

Just 3 turns mate. I honestly don't look into what I use for rig bodies that much. I buy bulk spools of whatever is cheap. At the moment I'm using some shakespear beta stuff. I'm not fussed on spending fortunes on shockleader.

I use mainly pulley rigs with braid, I know you don't like them chukka, I have no problems with them. The way I look at it is it adds more stretch, when I get a bite I lower the rod to put slack in the braid as a tight line is meant to put fish off. Don't know if this is true or not, then I wait for it to take off with the pulley acting like a running ledger to an extent and wind into the fish.

This only my opinion though.
 
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