I have 20lb big game test line....

My setup is like this: 20lbs test line -> 2oz weight -> 2ft after the weight my clear 12in leader with hook....

My thoughts are this:

20lb test line -> 2oz weight -> black metal 12in leader -> add the 12in clear leader with hook ?

That way I can just use the clip on the black metal leader to attach jigs??

Happy <><ing everyone

Kev

There is no easy way to switch from bait to plugs unless you carry 2 rods.Only use ''black leader'' if bluefish are around.I gotta get off this ride I'm gettin dizzy:chatter

It looks like this is what your thinking about doing...

?????:confused:

...Now heres my opinion on that. NO WAY!...way too much hardware...scary lookin too!!!....:)...

..The best thing to do is to practice tying knots!!!.....also the 2 rod thing is a way to go. Thats what I do when I'm planning on having the best of both worlds...;)

....One of the biggest issues is "SPECIES"...what are you targeting??...

....If your targeting Striped Bass...(FORGET THE WIRE LEADER)...if there are Bluefish in the vicinity and you don't want to lose your (gear)..tie a wire-leader on, and have a blast!!..if you don't know whats in the area ...fish for the type of fish you want to catch.

ie: Striped Bass = Mono or Flouro leader

ie: Bluefish = Wire leader

..If your specifically targeting Striped Bass...Go with the mono-type leader (50# BigGame..etc..)..some type of shocker....now as far as switching lures...I don't really care for snap swivels when I'm S-Bass fishing...(I've had a couple open up on me) ...and since then I've tried to stay away...don't get me wrong, I will use them sometimes when I'm trying to figure out what lure the Bass will be hitting...then I'll usually get rid of the snap. I have a tendency to switch lures often so I've also had to learn to tie a quick knot..(usually a polamar knot)...quick, easy and strong...

...Some people have their lures individually prepared with its own leader and just cut it at the joining point of the mono leader and the main line and tie on the new lure/leader set, keeping the other lure on its own leader.

..I don't go that route. I prepare a bunch of mono leaders ahead of time and place them in a CD carrier in 3 foot lengths...(thats also where I place my hooks to keep them from tangling ;) )...what I do is when I want to change a lure...I will cut it off at the end of mono leader and tie a new lure on .....once I reach the third lure.....I swith the leader. every time I switch a lure, I lose length on my leader...so after three switches I put a new leader on. The reason I don't prepare my lure with leaders ahead of time...is because in the heat of the battle it gets too messy and since I fish alot around rocks....the leader tends to take a beating sometimes....I also carry the extra spool of 50# with me, just in case, and don't forget your cutting device!!!...I use braid, so when I change the leader I need something sharp, teeth just don't do it for me....:rolleyes:

....if you don't have two rods, and you still want to bait/lure fish with one rod, use a fishfinder, decide the species your targeting...if you decide to swith to a lure just take off the sinker...and leave the fishfinder on (just make sure to close it so you don't snag on something)..this way, if your fishing for Blues, and you have a leader on....just connect the lure to the snap. If your fishing for Stripes, cut the main line at the swivel...slide the fishfinder off...and tie on a lure with a mono leader.

...This probably isn't the best way.......but its the Bloo way :D...and since you seem very interested, I figured I'd share a different approach. MY STRONGEST SUGGESTION IS ......


.......PRACTICE YOUR KNOT TIENG!! ...and be patient...and of course ....Good Luck Fishing!!!...

Another alternative to the cd carrier is 4 by 6 photo album. For bass, I'll have some off set 6/0 hooks on flouro leaders and swivels, and for blues, crimped sleaves, steal leaders. I do the same with eel leaders, fluke and tog rigs ect...This really helps organize your terminal tackel.....keep some nail clippers handy, it'll make swiching lures alot easyer, unless of coarse you got sharp teeth like me.....gota tie?

Originally posted by bloocrab

....If your targeting Striped Bass...(FORGET THE WIRE LEADER)...if there are Bluefish in the vicinity and you don't want to lose your (gear)..tie a wire-leader on, and have a blast




Would using the black leader all the time with the clear leader for stripers, and attaching jigs off the black leader effect the number of fish I catch? I know blues run into the river where I fish..This is why I'm asking.....thanks

Happy <><ing


KEV

Most people I know want to use as little hardware as possible. Bass certainly will hit when using wire if they are actively feeding. However, when they are neutral, they can be leader shy.

If you are bait fishing and are targeting bass, skip the wire. Sure, you may lose some hooks to blues, but that's not a huge investment. If you're bottom fishing, you are just as likely to lose rigs in the rocks... its gonna happen.

If you get chopped off, then switch to the wire. And its not a 100% loss rate either. I landed several blues last fall using only a 20lb. mono leader... I also got some of my lures peeled. But if you hook 'em in the lips, they may not get to your leader.

You can also try circle hooks. The hook is designed to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth which would increase your chances of a blue not munching through your leader.

Bottom line. If you are gonna fish alot, you'll lose some terminal tackle. I wouldn't sweat it too much.

try This Setup,

I always use 20lb big game line.For leaders I use Ande 40 or 50 lb test line.Forget the flurocarbon and all the high tech gizmo line on the market,The fish could care less wheather your using ande at $5.00 a spool or some japanese flurocrap for 30$ a spool.

What the fish do care about ios excesive hardware.Black coated leaders get scratced and shoot light all over the place,might as well be using a mirror.

I always tie my leader direct to the mainline with an "Albright" Knot.In 18 years of fishing the knot never gave out on me once.And people who know me , know I fish in almost exlusivly rocky areas.I have landed fish up to 50lbs with this setup.

I tie on an 8 foot section of leader and cut back as it gets frayed.If I want to use plugs, I tie direct to the plug with a loopknot.I dont have a problem with "Linetwist" because I fish exclusively conventional gear.99% of the time I fish live eels anyway.The Albright knot casts effortlessly thru the guides on my rods and the knot itself never gets beatup from reapeated casting.

This is the setup I would recomend.I hate hardware, its worth the extra effort to tie direct and watch your hookups increase.I dont worry to much about bluefish cause if I get chopped off more than twice in the same spot, I leave and hit new water.

I do alot of heavy jigging in the breachways and inlets, and this system has held up extremely well, never lost a fish due to knot failure and, the times I have been wedged in the rocks it took all the efort I could muster to pull the line out and break it.

For hooks I use Mustad 94150 short shank .


About 5 years ago Joe flip and Myself were fishing on Block Island,We had fish between 20 and 35 lbs for 3 hours straight, nonstop! I mention this because I remember marveling at the fact that my leader held up for the whole deal! It was just to fast a furious to stop and check it and retie.Plus I was out in the water about 30 yds standing on a nice perch.This was no sandy spot either! It was a "Boneyard" Just the way I like it!

Anyway, try the Albright Knot! And stick with the live eels!!!

Ok so after reading everything it seems to me that using my 20lb big game test line, and then my weight....then the 12in clear leader/hook is the best way to go :) Thanks for all your feedback.




HAPPY <><ing everyone


KEV

I agree with #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& about the mono to mono knots. I fished mostly light tackle last year and fished 8-10lb. test tied to a 20lb. mono leader with a barrel knot, fished on spinning gear. I try to avoid twist by making sure my lure is running true or making sure my jerkbaits are hooked in a straight line with no bend.

I do get more twist, but I prefer no swivel much more than I worry about the twist. Its just my preference.

With eels, twist would be tough to avoid... but like #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, I only use conventional with eels, so it ain't an issue. I asked the same question on this board 2 years ago. I use 20lb. mono, with 50lb. leader. I tried 15lb mono and 30 or 40 lb leader and was getting snapped of on fish left and right. I lost some nice fish. I switched to 20/50 and have had no problems since.

I also learned that in saltwater, change your line. In freshwater, I often let it go and got away with it... how often would be better answered by some of these guys with more experience. But the point is that saltwater breaks it down alot faster.

20/50 here too with no hardware except with spinning gear . I fish conventional 85% of the time , always with eels . 30/60 in the canal with 4 and 5 oz jigs . when I bait fish with chuncks and kids ( No they fish besides there must be a law against using your kids as bait or to flush out game ) Ill use a swivel with a fishfinder rig then a mono leader to a hook snelled or with a snap .