Using a shock leader ?

**gillchaser999** · 05-22-2024, 10:27 PM

Anybody that uses 2# line use a heavier leader ?
After losing a nice fish earlier this week , I got to wondering of what I could have done differently that would have increased my chances of landing that fish .
Even if I had gotten close enough to land , I would still would have faced the issue of getting it up a 4-5’ bank above water level .
I know a net would be ideal , but I’m not sure I’m for dragging another piece of equipment around with me while I’m bank fishing.

So my thoughts went back to where I was using 6# braid with a 3# Floroclear leader .
I’m thinking of adding a 6-8’ leader of 3-4# Floroclear to my 2# line .
That way I’d keep the cast ability of the 2# line , but once I got the leader to where I could grab it , I could drag or swing a fish up the high bank .
It’ll also increase the strength of the line tied directly to my jig and less likely to be cut by the fish’s teeth .

I’m going give it a try and will let you know how it works for me .

Anyone try this already ? What did you find out ?

**gillchaser999** · 05-23-2024, 04:18 PM

Well , I got a chance to fish for about forty five minutes today .
Instead of trying the shock leader idea , I switched reels on my 4’10” Major Craft Fine Tail Glass rod to a Shimano Stradic spooled with 3# Floroclear.
I fished the same jig , a 4.6mm Tungsten bead jig with a 1” Black curly tail .
Casting distance was just slightly under what I was getting with the. 2# Floroclear.
Most casts were around 60’ .
I caught 11 assorted species . The fish didn’t seem to notice the slightly bigger line .
One of the small gills wrapped around a stick , and I was able to pull stick and the fish in over the riprap .
I don’t think I could have done that with the 2# line .
I get about the same casting distance with the 3# Floroclear that I got with the Daiwa braid , but without the cons of using braid .
This maybe the way to go .
Taking a couple of combos , one loaded with 3# test for areas with high banks , 2# for those areas where I won’t have to swing or drag the fish to land them .

**dannypeoples** · 05-23-2024, 05:19 PM

I use 4 - 5 feet of 2lb trout magnet SOS line with ester (either 1.75 lb or 2.3 lb). The water in my neck of the woods is usually stained so no need for a FC leader. The 2lb SOS line has offered decent abrasion resistance when the fish swim into structure. If the ester caught on the same structure it would surely break.

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**dannypeoples** · 05-23-2024, 05:20 PM

That Finetail is looking sharp!

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**skeetbum** · 05-23-2024, 07:24 PM

I think you’re on the right page about solving the leader issue. I use a leader for abrasion and the mono I use is 4 pound so no issue there either. Hope you get it figured out.

**BIGFISHNFREAK** · 05-23-2024, 07:42 PM

I use 4lb izor xxx , my water is super clear with at least 25 ft visibility , it doesn’t seem to spook them at all. My problem is the quagga mussels are very sharp and grow fearless in the vegetation .

thanks for the ideas.

**Ketchn** · 05-24-2024, 06:11 AM

pretty sure that first fish won't require a shock leader bro .....just saying

but I used to use them when I chased catfish back when , I used 20 lb. tied to my 10 lb. , they can chew thru 10 pretty easy when they get up over 3 or 4 lbs.
maybe use some of that there hair like braid stuff , might be the ticket

**Alphahawk** · 05-24-2024, 07:05 AM

Been using shock leader ever since I started fishing Ester lines. Also use it when trout fishing and using the Infinity PE from Varivas. I tried forgoing a shock leader with both lines and lost a ton of fish. I know saltwater guys who use braid that have 20 feet of shock leader tied on. Just no forgiveness in no stretch lines rated at 2 pounds.

Regards

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**Ketchn** · 05-24-2024, 07:17 AM

interesting bro , I would think with such light tackle yawl use it would be hard to break off if your drag is set right ....

**gillchaser999** · 05-25-2024, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Ketchn

interesting bro , I would think with such light tackle yawl use it would be hard to break off if your drag is set right ....

Breaking off while fighting a fish isn’t a worry . It’s when I get it to the bank and I’m four feet or more above the water level that’s the problem.
My thought was once I got to the leader I could drag or lift the fish with the leader .
Also some of the fish I sometimes hook , such as spotted bass , have these little teeth that cut 2# line like it’s nothing.

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