Line to Leader Connections...

[Drewman]

In a post below about leader construction I saw reference to tying a flourocarbon leader directly to the mainline. I have been thinking about this for a year or two but have been nervous about trying it. I believe they do this for saltwater fishing.
Usually I make my leaders up with a Sampo swivel at one end and a Berkley snap at the other. To simplify changing leaders I then tie a split ring to the end of the mainline. If the leader gets trashed, I just snap a new one to the split ring.

Do any on you fellas tie directly to your mainline? If so, how does the knot stand up to repeated casting?

Thanks!

[Drewman]

bump...

[RK]

Hi Drewman,
I've never tied flouro to a superline when muskie fishing (don't use Flouro for them) but I do it when I put a mono or flouro leader on superline bass and walleye fishing. It works fine. Just make the connection with a double uni-knot, and be sure to lubricate the knot *extremely* well when you cinch it down. Flouro really breaks down under friction heat, and you can reduce your line strength badly. Learned that the hard way bass fishing. The best lube is actually some sort of scent like the bass heads use. Spit doesn't work as well. The knots seem to handle going through the guides just fine. Just keep an eye on them I guess.

RK

[Skyman]

I always tie in my flourocarbon leader inline. The knots that I use are the fisherman's, uni-uni and albright. Those are in order of ease to tie. The Albirght is the most difficult and with superlines has a tendency to slip if you don't use a lock.

The advantage of tying inline is that you can make your leader the length of your rod without it hindering your reel. The knot passes smoothly through the guides so you don't have 12" of wire and then your lure hanging from your rod making accurate casts difficult. I use a 7.5' musky rod so the musky will have to roll up 7' of line (has happened though) before the fish comes into contact with your main line.