Leaders for Bluefish

[Maine Guide]

Looking for some advice. I was fishing for stripers a few days back, and started pulling in small blues. I switched over to a steel leader, and could not get a hit. When I took off the steel leader, I started getting hits again, but the blues kept breaking me off.

I've read before that many of you will use heavy monofilament or flourocarbon rather than a steel leader. What is the minimum pound test that you will use (even for the bigger blues)? What length? How do you prefer to attach to the main line? direct or with barrell swivel, etc.?

Thanks for the advice.

[Clammer]

M-80,s=========

[KLMulder]

I tie my own and like a 1 to 3 foot leader, I use 50 to 80 llb test and have a barrel swivel on each one, I will put a fish finder on my line and then a snap swivel to be able to switch leaders out when ever I need to.

KL

[fishsmith]

I like a 50lb mono leader (if a good size blue hits it right it's a gonner,but that the chance I take).

I also tied lures directly to 20lb test spider wire with no problems.

I like the heavy leader, because it's easer to pull the fish into a boat, I got a quick refresher the other day that bluefish + a net + treblehooks = lots of untangling time.

[chief10]

I use 80lb big game. tie direct to plug at one end and then to a swivel to the main line. I check the leader frequently when the blues are hitting and missing just in case they nick the line.It holds up well and you can fish a surface plug pretty well with it.

[Fishpart]

Clammer, we need to load you some plugs with RDX and fish them on a detonating cord leader. That'll give those bluefish something to chew on.

[STEVE IN MASS]

Man, some of you guys really HATE bluefish.....just send them to me, packed in ice......

As far as leaders, if there are small blues around (less than 5-6 lbs), I find 40 lb leader material (mono) is fine......just be sure to check it for nicks and shreds after each hit/catch.....I've actually landed 10 lb blues on a hi-lo of 40 lb test without a problem.....

If you talking choppers......sorry, wire is almost the only way to go.........I know, I hate the wire too...........

Most times that your're bitten off with the smaller ones, it's not the fish that you have on, it's the other ones that are in the "blitz" that come by and cut you off.....and if you're in a good blitz, wire or 500 lb test leader ain't gonna help, cause they can come by and just cut your main line......no getting around that.....

[bloocrab]

Tie-ing knots with 80lb. mono is no joke, especially with small swivels....novice knot-tiers stay away from that one..

With plugs: - If I'm playing with 4 - 8# choppers...a 6" clear coated thin wire-leader does me just fine (stay away from black unless your chunking bottom, IMO). From shore, mono will eventually cost you while playing with bloos. On a boat, if you KNOW there are alot of bloos around save your plugs, they don't always float to the surface ya know. I attach the pre-tied wire to the main line via the swivel and attach the lure to the snap on the other end of the wire. Braid will not work like wire, I dis-proved that to myself this season already. I was just lucky the first dozen times or so.
With Larger bloos (12#s and up), you MUST use heavier wire. Or you'll be changing the thinner wire frequently. Or simply move out of that area (right Clammer?)

With bait: - When I bait for bass, there are a lot of variables that come into play before I change to wire. I'll allow myself 2 cut-offs in a row in a certain amount of time, before changing to wire. BUT!! I have to believe there are HUGE bloos OR at least some Bass in the mix. There are many variables to this situation, too many to type up today.
Something to be aware of: When bait-fishing with wire...and STILL getting cut-off, more than likely...this is what's happening. The first bloo-fish chomps into your bait. His head starts thrashing violently. The bait may slide up your leader during this thrashing. When it hits the swivel at the top of the union (where the wire ties to your mono) it will get hung up at this point. If another bloo-fish was following the one on the hook, he'll chomp at that bait on the swivel. If he catches some of your mono....seeeee - ya.


In your case, the leader shouldn't have played a part in your not hooking up after you switched to wire. As thick as they have been appearing, a leader shouldn't make a "hit' of a difference. More often than not, they'll hit it. There are exceptions however - maybe you didn't give it enough time...or maybe your instance was one of those "exceptions"

Good Luck...

...I know the picture sux, but it's just to give you a basic visual idea of how it happens.

[Clammer]

They are gonna put me back in consuling////////////////////

[bloocrab]

oops...Steve beat me to it. Adding to what he said...the swivel that connects your main line to the leader with your plug at the end, WILL also attract hits. In a heavy blitz, after your on.....get him OUT of the mass of blood thirsty teeth.

Sorry for the double-reply.

[beachwalker]

Try Stainless wire braid leader.

I found some 18" 50lb wire leader from US lines and it is excellent.
It is significntly less visible than the black leader and works great. Though the leader isn't invisible it is great for blues, albies, bonito and mackeral. I have landed a bunch of Bass with it this year but if there are NO blues around I will switch back to a Mono leader(25 - 50lb) that I double Uni or swivel to the mainline. When I use the double uni I am able to make it long(4') so when re-tying I have plenty of leader to work with. Clean it up nice and you have no problems casting. Provides a much better wear point at the guides.

Good luck

[beachwalker]

Bloocrab,

Nice diagram. How do ya do that ?

Great description.

[Maine Guide]

Folks,

Thank you for taking the time to respond with all of your tips.
Your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

[Roop]

another option is Tiger Wire, available at craft stores, used for making jewelry, cheap, knots well, coated, catches fish.

[basenjib123]

I find that I catch more Blues with Mono/Fluoro leaders than with wire. I usually use 40-50 lb test for them. I have to laugh at all of you "Bluefish haters"....How can you hate a fish that will out fight your "almighty striper" with ease? ...I mean heck, a Bluefish will outfight a Striper pound for pound any day of the week! I guess if your going out for the meat and not the sport, thats different. But don't you think a fish that fights as hard as the Bluefish deserves a little more respect?

[Mr. Sandman]

I use 40 # floro from the surf, 50 from the boat. and feel it for nicks with each fish. I will cut and re-tie as necessary. (I use a snap)
I have some wire leaders for when the action is hot and heavy and the fish will bite anything that hits the water...but IMO floro works best when there is no blitz on.

On charter boats they use 100# test mono and it is a rare event when they bite thru that.

Here is what one blue did to a scup while my wife was reeling it in, you would be hard pressed to do that with a fillet knife no less your teeth!

[Mr. Sandman]

forgot to post

[bloocrab]

Nice diagram. How do ya do that ?

MS Paint...and a semi-steady hand on the mouse. S-B.com presented me with a WACO drawing tablet at one of our get-togethers but I just used the mouse on that last chicken scratched picture

Thanks again JohnR & >>S-B.com<<

...don't you think a fish that fights as hard as the Bluefish deserves a little more respect?

AMEN!

[beachwalker]

Still pretty damn cool Bloo.......

[NEXT2NUN]

Bloo you da man. Now if you could just teach me how jig Muskeget channel. Been killin em on live scup, thanks for that too.

[bud8fan]

I have been using 30lb test Stren Hi Impact lately when fishing dawn and dusk time frames. When I am out hunting for "Momma" I usually use 50lb flourocarbon.
I havent had any problems with cut offs yet but as the blues get bigger I am sure I will!

Is it my imagination or are there more 2-3lb bluefish in the bay right now than there has ever been in the past??
Seems like no matter where you go you find those pesky fish!



Russ

[bloocrab]

Thanks fellas


Bud8, your right ... this batch is even smaller than the last.