Leaders ( Home Made )

[Tom]

Is there a certain length leader used when trolling with dipsy's and spoons or is it just what you make them? What lengths seem to be working for the experts? I'm trying to get to that status. I'm going to use Stren high impact fluorocarbon 20lb. That was recommended by my local tackle shop,but if there is something else that is better suited I would appreciate any imput. I've heard of jet divers I think their called,would the leaders be the same lenght as the others if I was using reef runners? Thanks for any info.that I can get so I can spend more time doing real fishing than QUESSING. THANKS AGAIN !!!!!!!!

[Juls_WI]

It's usually the length of the rod. Since you dont take the dipsy's or jets off the line, you need to make the leader as long as possible without making it so long that you can't net the fish. Know what I mean?
If I am wrong...I would like to be corrected..;-)

As far as what line to use, what you have sounds pretty good. You can only try it and see if it works for you.

Good luck to you..

Juls

[Hutch tackle & guide services]

I agree, the length of the rod. I also recomend using a quality B.B. snap took hook the dipsy or jet to the main line. I used the same stuff for leader material this year out there and had no probelms. HUTCH

[yknot]

I make my leaders 6' long for all types of fishing; dipseys, jets, in line weights, or riggers. For walleye or salmon trolling, I have found that it makes no difference whether I use 15#, 20#, or 25# leaders, as long as it is good fluorocarbon. In the past, Stren fluorocarbon was the worst leader material I encountered. It had no knot strength, it was brittle, and the abrasion resistence was non-existant. When we didn't break off fish, we were constantly changing leaders. Seaguar is a much better product, followed by P-line. I might change a leader once in eight or ten trips compared to changing eight or ten leaders per trip with Stren. Make sure you buy "fluorocarbon leader material" not fluorocarbon filler spool material. There is a big difference. Yes, it costs more, but it is worth the extra couple bucks.

Frank

[ETT]

Maybe when you said Reef Runners you meant Rip Sticks made by Reef Runner, but if you meant the deep diving Reef Runners they can not be run behind Dipsys or Jets. Spoons, Harnesses and stick baits (shallow diving "minnow" plugs) are what can be run. Good luck, and have fun learning. We also use Seaguar pure flourocarbon (25#) for leaders - 6' long, and they are for the Dipsys or Jets.

[John]

Fishing here in Lake Erie I use nothing shorter than an 8' leader. I usually like 10' leaders and I also use the floural carbon line. When using a big leader, you have to use a long handled net and use have to walk the fish back once it is close to the boat. The reason I use the longer leader is so that the Dipsy and Jets have less chance of spooking the fish.

[Fuzzy]

Check out Slide-Divers next time - the unit can be set anywhere offering a lot more flexibility. They work great.

[yknot]

I have never known of dipseys or jets spooking fish. My son had a charter out and broke two leaders. He didn't realize that he was out of spare leaders and leader material. He had to tie snaps on the two foot long remnants and fish with what he had. The fish wanted that quick snapping action on the Stingers that day and he ended up limiting out. The majority of those fish were on the short leaders. Go figure.

[Fish Obsessed]

We have been using 6-8' leaders with good success. One point that was mentioned in another post, I would definitely agree with, do not use Stren Fluorocarbon Line. This line breaks way too often, just like was posted earlier- no knot or abrasion strength. I went back to using 17-20 lb. Mono, and had great results with the eyes, and steelies. I would like to try the other mentioned Fluorocarbon "leader line" (Seaguar) next year.
Someone please advise where I could get this line?

[just fish]

Cabelas or Rodmaker Shop in Strongsville has several choices of quality flourocarbons to choose from.

[Tomr]

Has anyone used Fireline as the leader material? I was wondering how it performed. I am considering using the 4-10 lb. strength.
Thanks for your reply's.

[Tim FRick]

One other thing to consider is to use slightly less pound rating line then your main line. By doing this if you get a snagg you will lose the lure($3) compare to losing your dispey and lure($14). Just always check for nicks each time you reel in a fish. AS for using fireline for leader materrial would be bad, due to it being less abrasion resistent.
Good Luck!!
Tim FRick

[john]

Frank, then why do you and Brain have a minimum of a 6 foot leaders on your dipsies if length does not matter. I have sen your leaders both rapped around your reels on your rocket launchers as well as when you guys have been netting fish next to me when we have trolled next to each other out there.

I do not think you always need to use an 8 foot plus leader, but many times Walleyes think the same way as women, and length does matter.

[yknot]

When I sit down and tie leaders, I pull six feet of Seaguar, cut it off, and put a snap on each end, six feet of Seaguar, cut, tie, etc. I don't spend a lot of time measuring. Some may be a little over, some a little under. As long as it's close. The main reason for 6' is because that is the distance from finger tip to finger tip. Seaguar comes in 25 meter spools (78') which makes 13 leaders per spool.

Frank

["Hooked On It"]

I use seaguar #25 test fluorcarbon about 6 feet long as talked about above. This seems to work better than anything I've tried and does last longer. A few of the guys mentioned above that use it are some of the better trollers out there. Give it a try.
Bret