how long's your leader?

[2na]

Do you need this? I think it will depend on your application, how you fish. If you are going to be throwing lighter lures, say under 2 oz, and not for distance, a shock is probably not necessary. But if you are going to try to get distance on your cast the shock will save you some lost lures. I usually cast tins and pencil poppers up to 3-1/2 oz, so I use a shock leader to minimize my snapoffs on liftoff.

On my spinning reels I use 15 lb PP running line with a 40 lb PP shock tied with a uni to uni with a drop of superglue (to cover sins). The shock has to be long enough to wrap 3-4 times around the spool up through the guides back down to the to the bottom guide, then a 80# Spro swivel with a Trilene knot, and on the other side 40 lb fluoro leader with a Crawford knot (I think I'm the only one who uses this knot - use what you like). The uni-uni knot flies right through the guides, never had a problem. Once you get comfortable with the setup, shorten/lengthen the length of the shock (in my case the 40 lb PP) to the swivel to suit your own taste, but you have to have at least the 3-4 wraps around the spool (more is excessive, less is ineffective).

[1dozenraw]

Shock leader... conventional... if I'm throwing heavier stuff. Not usually for 2-3oz plugs.

3-4' leader (not past the tip) ... spinning.

I use 40-50lb mono on both. I never use a long (through the guides to the reel) leader for spinning, partly because I'm throwing 2-4 oz plugs and don't need it.

If I'm using conventional I may use one depending on what (how heavy a load) I'm throwing.

I just don't like the knot going through the guides on a spinning rig because of the way the load on the guides is compared to a conventional.

My knot for joining the mono leader to braid is either an overhand to uni or uni to uni.

[t.orlando]

No more shock leaders for me. Usually start with a 4ft leader, then keep cutting back as needed to about 2, then change.

[Clogston29]

3' - 5' depending on where I'm fishing and with what rod. Usually only use 5' when I know I'll need it for "handlining" fish around obstructions and guiding them to my landing spot in the rocks. I'll go down to 3' if I'm deep wading to make casting easier. 4' is most common. All my leaders are tied to a swivle, no shock leaders.

[Rockport24]

I usually go 3-4 feet tied to a swival.

[cow tamer]

I had trouble with a 9' spinning rod, going more than 34", as I'd have a tendancy to real the swivel up through the rod tip at night.

[Kierran]

Between 3 - 5 ft. of 45-60# fluoro w/ a Spro barrel & 80#Breakaway.