Thoughts on leader strength vs main line

[MRWood]

I'm wondering what the thoughts are on leader lb test vs main line lb test. When steelhead fishing our leader lb test was always less than the main line so you would only lose the the hook and yarn if you got snagged. I was watching one of the fishing shows today (they were fishing Kuyquoet) and their mainline was 25lb test but the leaders were heavier. If the line snaps with heavier leaders it's going to be at the mainline and you lose everything including the flasher.

Do you guys generally run heavier mainline than the leaders? If not what is the reason?

 

[trophywife]

couple different reasons. i run lighter leader with spoons.20-25=more action for spoons.
for hootchies i use mostly 50lb. way more whip as the leader is stiffer,plus if you are releasing alot of coho and small springs the leader lasts longer. 50 also works better for hali teeth. 50 also wont cut into yer hand, actually reduces line cuts.

 

[Dogbreath]

The reason I use lighter test for river fishing is so the leader doesn't spook fish-who cares about a hook and piece of antron-I'll generally go for 10# and that can land most anything.

In the chuck it's 25# main and 40# leader occasionally 50# leader for reasons as stated above.

It's not about losing gear-that's a very Canadian way of looking @ the situation IOW are you a tightwad?

 

[MRWood]

It's not about losing gear-that's a very Canadian way of looking @ the situation IOW are you a tightwad?

Haha....I'm the ultimate Cdn with a little Scotsman mixed in.

 

[Seafever]

Teeth!!!


Minimum 30lb leader on anything for Chinooks......because they can cut a light leader pretty easy.

Also a flasher will snap a light leader when fish is hooked.

That said , you don't go heavier than 25 on Apexes.......screws up the action....but that is why I am not too fond of using big Apexes for Chinook, because you can't go heavy on the leader.

Sharp teeth trumps fishing skill.

I use 20 or 25lb main where I fish (which is deep). If I lived where you only had to fish 40ft down, I'd probably go heavier on main.

 

[profisher]

25 main and 40 leaders except 20 pound leaders for spoons. I will drop down to 20 pound leaders with bait if I'm fishing a really bad seal area...like the Victoria waterfront and Constance Bank. Otherwise I'm not worried about breaking 25 pound main..it only happens a handful of times in a season.

 

[trendsetter]

For salmon gear I run 30lb mainline and 30lb leaders for bait and spoons. 40lb leader for hoochies to increase the action. Seems to work well as I haven't snapped any gear off in two years except for one seal and one bad knot.