Might be a silly question...

Yes folks, here's another one for you guys. I was finally blessed with a nice
sturgeon yesterday. In the future, would it be safe to use that same leader again?
I am just curious that's all.


Thanks in advance,
Jedmo

Wire? Is it kinked? Are the hooks bent?

 If it's not nicked up and you didn't get close to maxing out the "test" of your line go ahead. 

 But, rigs are cheap, especially if you tie your own. If you hook the "Fish of a lifetime" (that you have release anyhow) how will you feel with a old rig on?

Retire it.  Never a good idea to reuse.

Don't re-use it.  The coated wire gets nicks in the coating and the saltwater that gets in there will cause the wire to corrode (even though it's stainless), that section will be weakened then.  I've picked up wire leaders like that (admittedly after sitting around for a year) and was able to break them with my hands.

You might be able to re-use the hooks and certainly the beads though.

hang it on the wall as a keepsake,,, for the price, go new, or tie a new one for yourself. 

Not a silly question,

I caught my first keeper yak sturgeon in Nov. after everything was cleaned up the leader looked OK, but when I slid my fingers down the leader (mono) it had been roughed up pretty good.

Congrats again

Dale L

For the price of a new complete rig you can by a spool of 7-Strand wire and crimps.  Add in a pack of hook for $5.00 and you can make 3-4 rigs for what one costs.

It's interesting that up here in Portland area we don't use wire leaders at all.  I'm not even sure we're allowed to.  The regulations call for a single barbless hook and most sturgeon fishermen use a 5/0 - 11/0 barbless octopus hook snelled to about 3 ft of  50-100 lb dacron leader.   Oh and no one seems to ever use sturgeon snares either.   Anyway, I've never really found the need to change leaders even after catching a dozen sturgeon (mostly the smaller 3 ft variety) in a day.

Anyway, just an alternative rig/point of view to consider.

Brian

i use 40# fluoro, and just check to see if the leader is knicked at all. if it is - retie

I bought a spool of 80 lb dacron and some owner cutting point 6/0 and 8/0 hooks. I tie my own, and while I haven't caught a legal sturgeon yet, it holds up great for big bat rays 

But, even with the dacron leader, I always change leaders after a big batty and plan to after I catch a legal sturgeon. However, if you're hooks are still sticky sharp you can reuse those. Owner hooks can get expensive quick!

BTW, I think a 300 yd spool of 80 lb braid costs about $25. I tie 20" to 25" leaders so I expect to get at least 250 leaders out of this spool. That's a lot of bat rays! 

Thanks for the input fellas. I do make my own sturgeon leader. The one I used to
catch my last sturgeon was with a plastic coated leader. Now it is all kinked. I will
try and make some on 80lb mono and see how it will hold up. Hopefully I can land
another one so I can see which one works best. I'll keep my fingers cross and my
toes as well and hope for another sturgeon.

Jedmo