Steel Leaders

I was fishing out at MBK yesterday and lost 3 fish that felt like freight trains when I hooked em. When the fish hit and started taking line I situated myself and prepared for the sleigh ride execpt each time the line broke right when I began applying pressure.
My question is are steel leaders cost effective to make or do most people have tackle shops make them? Also if I were to make them, what type of cable do I need? I'm not interested in the pre-made shark leaders because I need a 2oz buck tail jig at the end instead of a j hook. Last question what length and # rating should I use?

Thanks a lot for your time and I will post many pics if I can land one of these things.

-Tim


 

There're plenty of steel leaders sold at most tackle shops and so you can make your own rig.  Most species we caught using steel leaders are not leader shy (shark, baracuda, etc...) so I would go for a minimum of 50lb strength.  As far as leader length a 24" - 36" should do the job.

wire leaders as sonny said are for line shy and/or toothy critters. 30lb mono will hold almost all the species we have locally (sturgeon may need bigger). I would bet the knot failed. That usually is the weak link in the set up. I would practice tying 2 or 3 knots perfectly. And make sure you can do it when OTW. I pretty much use a uni knot for all my leaders. The other one is a dropper loop. The other issue with crazy strong leaders is if you get hung up you'll never be able to break it....30lb is hard enough to bust

my .02

I've had good success with the palomar knot for a line-to-lure knot. very easy to tie & holds well (in my experience anyway)

EWB is right about the line strength being a problem if it is too high. I now fish with 20 to 40 pound spectra for most rockfish,lingcod, and halibut, BUT I have a 10-12foot piece of 30 pound test mono between the lure & the spectra (call it a leader or a topshot, whatever you like). This really helps if you get a snag that must be broken off. If you are hung up on a rock the spectra won't stretch, and the mono will give out first usually without much pulling at all.
I have used a 9-to-5 wrapped  uni-to-uni to join the spectra & mono, but there are better knots out there for this application I'm sure.

wire leaders as sonny said are for line shy and/or toothy critters. 30lb mono will hold almost all the species we have locally (sturgeon may need bigger). I would bet the knot failed.

Yeah the wire leader is for sharks because that's what I'm thinkin' it was. I mean no disrespect but I've been tying the palomar for about 15 years and there were no swivels, snaps, or other knots involved so I'm not thinkin' knot failure. Also each time the line (20# braid) came up with about 2' of abrasion from the break.
I totally agree that the 30# mono will handle any local gamefish and is about impossible to break from the yak (I haven't yet and I troll in the kelp  ). I use 30# on my heavy setup but I was fishing for rockfish and I was using my "bass rod".

Thanks for the replies.

-Tim

Haven't folk been catching Barracuda there lately?

I bought some of this stuff at a clearance sale and tied some Sturgeon leaders you can use reg. knots don't need crimps.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_92390_175003002_175000000_175003000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

I would stay away from steel leader they sell at any sporting goods store. I have seen someone
catch a huge sturgeon and lost it because the cable slipped off the sleeve. Make your own if you
are going to the steel leader setup. This way you can fish with confidence knowing nothing will
fail on you. My .02 cents as well. I make mine of 60lb coated steel leader by 7strand and a A5
sleeve 7strand. Goodluck!

Jedmo

40# braided on the spool, and a 15' topshot of 30# fluoro.  Join with a Uni to Uni.