I got destroyed in the rocks by a bass last time I was on Cutty. Needless to say it broke off.

I typically use a 3-5 foot leader with 50# ande mono, crock swivel, and a snap.

I'm hoping to try a longer leader with a direct tie from braid to mono. Can some of you share what you use. (feet, type of leader, knot....picture of knot if possible)

Hitting BI next week and I want to try something different out.


I know many of you will say that using braid in the rocks is the main problem but I ain't changing. I do use back country alot but use braid whenever possible.

Thanks for your help.

I use 50# Powerpro with a 40# mono leader tied with an Albright knot. I almost never have a problem with break offs in the rocks.
http://www.powerpro.com/using/albright.asp

I use 50# Powerpro with a 40# mono leader tied with an Albright knot. I almost never have a problem with break offs in the rocks.
http://www.powerpro.com/using/albright.asp

Thanks. How long of a leader?

I use 50# Powerpro with a 40# mono leader tied with an Albright knot. I almost never have a problem with break offs in the rocks.
http://www.powerpro.com/using/albright.asp


agreed with the pp and albright. i use 50-65 lb flouro. be carefull if you use a leader longer then your scope when casting, the knot can weaken after going through the guides repeated times....and it sucks to lose a cow due to a knot failure:wall:

also, when fishing eels/sluggos, there can be a lot of line twist so a barrel connection can be very advantagous.

I use 30Lb FIRELINE and a 5-6 ft (yeah that's right 5-6ft) 50-60lb leader tied w/a swivel. I get VERY few breaks on the mainline and I fish boneyards almost exclusively. You get used to tossing a long tail pretty quickly. I tried using a line-line knot with a spinner and it just don't work. after a few casts it pops on a guide.

i feel over-gunned all of a sudden....8-10' 80lb Jinkai with either direct tie to the plug or an 80lb breakaway clip. I usually use 230# swivel, but an albright could eliminate that.

i feel over-gunned all of a sudden....8-10' 80lb Jinkai with either direct tie to the plug or an 80lb breakaway clip. I usually use 230# swivel, but an albright could eliminate that.

:wiggle: Thats when you are fishing for giant tuna right??? 230# swivel!!! holy cow. you must have one heck of a breakoff story to be using overkill like that

Stay away from braids in the boulders, Coventional tackle has an edge here in the leader department, why? because you can use a leader of 12 foot! I use the albright knot and do not have a break off problem It casts right thru the reel, cannot do that with spin gear, a 12 foot leader is a big(huge) advantage...I use either 60lb ande clear or orvis mirage flouro in the 62lb test...If you try to use a leader that long with spin gear you will end up with a twisted mess. you have to use a barrel swivel to prevent line twist .Most people cant cast a spin rod with a 12 foot trail........The other big mistake people make is fishing with there drag way to tight...loosen up on it a bit instaed of trying to horse a fish out of the structure....I know dave and a few guys here like braid but in my opinion it has a place and rocks and boulders are not that place...A truly large bass will make short work of the stuff....As soon as that stuff touches a reef edge etc...gonzo. We tried the stuff and went right back to mono...Bottom line: losen up the drag, dont horse fish, and use a longer leader..

Also, use single hooks (like with a live eel), that fish can twist and turn all she wants and wont straighten or tourqe your trebles !

Thanks. How long of a leader?
10' or so.

Stay away from braids in the boulders,
I have to respectfully disaggree with you on that Bill, I don't have any problems with braid break offs, and u know the boulder fields I fish. Had several good fish wrap me in the rocks last night, landed them all.

I have to respectfully disaggree with you on that Bill, I don't have any problems with braid break offs, and u know the boulder fields I fish. Had several good fish wrap me in the rocks last night, landed them all.
Dave, I know and dont take this the wrong way but, those are ok fish, not 35+ pounders those fish will make short work of braid...If you used braid on block island in the late 80s when nothing was under 35lbs you would not keep braid on long. I respectfully submit that we are on a different page with the type of fish we are talking about, I just dont consdier teen fish are 25lb fish big fish that fight hard, yes they are awesome to catch and certainly noteworthy as a good night but truly big fish....no not in my opinion. In the boulders with a pile of hungry fall cows in the 30lb class its a different story IMO..

Dave, I know and dont take this the wrong way but, those are ok fish, not 35+ pounders those fish will make short work of braid...If you used braid on block island in the late 80s when nothing was under 35lbs you would not keep braid on long
Canalman and myself have had several nights in the rocks with multiple 30+ pounders and not had any trouble. So, I stand my ground..:heybaby:

Canalman and myself have had several nights in the rocks with multiple 30+ pounders and not had any trouble. So, I stand my ground..:heybaby:

Understood there dave, stand your ground...I respect that....Still my advice to anyone is to stay away from it, the best fisherman I know hate the stuff, guys that have been around a heck of a long time, it sinks to fast, cuts hands, is terrible with knots, cuts like butter on reefs, at a certain store I know they are not even selling any, no one wants it so, maybe you can get all you want a real cheap price.....The stuff sucks and I stand my ground.

Understood there dave, stand your ground...I respect that....Still my advice to anyone is to stay away from it.
OK, opinion is good.
I just don't like mono, not saying it's bad, I just got so used to braid, I hate the feel of mono now.

OK, opinion is good.
I just don't like mono, not saying it's bad, I just got so used to braid, I hate the feel of mono now.

For some reason it works for you...whatever, the point is the majority of people I have spoke with and feedback in the tackle store is that they hate it unless they are on a sandy beach or in a boat etc...


Acually this is off topic, the guy wanted to know about leaders....the longer the better....but still the problem with most break offs is the drag is to tight......

F18, i use braid in the rocks also, like you i got very used to braid. If i was throwing convench like #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& i would probably go mono, but the benefits of braid on spinning to me are just the way to go. I use 50 or 65pp..tied to a spro swivel.and then 60 or 80 ande mono, say around 5 or 6 feet...this works well for me and fish up around 30.
I have like all of us lost a few cows in the rocks, but most times its the mono shredding and snapping instead of the braid.

....but still the problem with most break offs is the drag is to tight......
Yup, great point Bill. Also, I like to try to turn the fish right away to give it less chance to get in the rocks.

You guys should get rid of the Training wheels already and fish convench....:rotf2:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/TNBrat/Emotions/Rant-On.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/TNBrat/Emotions/Rant-Off.gif

You guys should get rid of the Training wheels already and fish convench....:rotf2:
http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10002/thumb_postwhore.gifhttp://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4/jupiter_thirteen/postwhore2.gif
VS baby!!

Acually this is off topic, the guy wanted to know about leaders....the longer the better....but still the problem with most break offs is the drag is to tight......

I think the guys problem may be that his drag is too tight. He gets some broken split rings and too many bent hooks. :tm:

Thank you all for sharing you opinions on the topic. Like anything else I'll have to try the differrent methods and see what works the best for me. Might have to get a Calcutta this winter too. :hihi:

VS baby!!
Damn Strait!!!!!

Get the TE you won't regret it

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&,

I'm intrigued by your advice. I was under the impression that conventional equipment can't cast far enough in boulder fields to be as effective as spinning gear. Maybe it has something to do with exactly where you fish. From my rocks I believe I need to be able to generally cast 100 yards in order to get to the deeper, fishiest water. How far can you cast with conventional equipment? I know this is getting off-topic, but since you catch a lot of big fish, when you're fishing a boulder field, how deep is the water where you're hooking big fish? Thanks, LB

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&,

I'm intrigued by your advice. I was under the impression that conventional equipment can't cast far enough in boulder fields to be as effective as spinning gear. Maybe it has something to do with exactly where you fish. From my rocks I believe I need to be able to generally cast 100 yards in order to get to the deeper, fishiest water. How far can you cast with conventional equipment? I know this is getting off-topic, but since you catch a lot of big fish, when you're fishing a boulder field, how deep is the water where you're hooking big fish? Thanks, LB
I wont touch this..........100 yards??? enough said:confused: :confused:

Sometimes you get the bear.......sometimes the bear gets you.

You guys should get rid of the Training wheels already and fish convench....:rotf2:
My way or the highway???
WTF!!!!:whackin:

Tounament casters use 'conventional gear :boots:

I'll stick with the "training wheels" for now - only just graduated from the fly rod :hihi: