Should you use a leader when feature finding?
Do you use a leader, and if so what material and breaking strain?
Calum Kletta
“Whenever using braided main line, I will use a shockleader so there is no chance of a crack-off leaving tackle in the lake. My 15lb Kinetic Braided main line will be tied to a shockleader made out of the Kinetic Spod Braid, this is a very smooth and abrasion resistant line and it’s the perfect diameter and strength for a shockleader.”
Lewis Read
“Nope. 20lb Kinetic Braid straight through on the spodding/leading/marker rod – with a Biminis Twist Loop on the end which effectively means it breaks at about 35lb. ‘Our’ braided main lines are rated to knot strength using common Grinner or Palomar knots – which are genuinely awful knots to use with braids! By using a Biminis I can make that knot a 95% knot rather than a 60% (at best) linear knot.”
Craig Mortimer
“I will always use a leader, and I like to use the thinnest braid I can get away with as a main line which in-turn helps me cast a lot further. The leader is there to protect me from cracking-off the whole set-up on the cast and also gives me more protection when it comes to running the lead over the bottom of the lakebed.”
George Benos
“I use a braided leader of at least 60lb breaking strain. The main reason for the heavy breaking strain is I double up and use the same rod for both my marker and spod work. I find that using the thicker leader eliminates the need to use a finger stool as doesn’t tend to cut into your finger.”
