Leaderboard

With the 2.75 NG's I was using a 3oz lead on 15lb Gardner Pro Blend, with the 3.25 The Ones I use 3.5oz lead on 15lb P-line Floroclear. Since I went onto the higher TC rods I have suffered a few crack-offs when going for it. I'm not comfortable leaving leads, hooks or tackle in a lake due to my incompetance, but the amount of weed means I'm not going to risk tethering a fish on a leader. I would much rather the run ring and lead comes off the line guaranteed, so a fish is just trailing a hooklink. I also don't like braided leaders either, even less than normal leaders. Braided leaders need double the strength of mono. So for a 3oz lead, in theory, you would need a 30lb mono leader, for braid you need 60lb. I also like my fingers, I do make miscasts, hence my crack-offs, but braid can cut through to the bone. I don't feel comfortable wearing a glove or finger stall, it actually worsens my casting, more miscasts and slipping versus protection. I say 'theory' above about line strength against lead size, I think that line has most definitely improved since the days of Bayer Perlon, Maxima and Sylcast, but most we were using in 8lb, not the 15 we do now, so we needed a shockleader more. I used to use Black Amnesia, in 20 or 30lb or Drennan Grey Greased Weasel in 40lb as my shockleader. They are softer than clear, or other colours in the respective range, more supple and cast better. (I do still use them on my marker and spod rods) I will say, on giving it the big one, check the mainline to hooklink or leader join, every cast. Not all lines can put up with a big chuck. Some lose strength, ping for no reason, yet are ok with a leader. Others can stand the abuse. Others may say different, but I like a casting line to be supple, not stiff, it has to be a good diameter versus strength. So when it says 15lb, it should be 0.35mm. Thicker lines obviously reduce casting distance. I worry about thinner lines than 0.35, they may well be 15lb, but can they stand the abuse of repeated regular casting?