Fishing with Capt. George Tunison | What to consider when determining leader length
A question those new to inshore salt angling always ask, “How long should my leader be?” When using braid as the main line, leader length depends on the application, water quality or visibility, present structure, as well as the species and size you’re pursuing.
For general lure casting, use the longest leader you can comfortably and accurately cast. With ever-increasing fishing pressure, my leaders have gotten much longer but still not a fan of leaders so long that the knots pass through the guides on every cast, although knots like the FG (netknots.com) make passage easier.
If you’re casting a brushy shoreline, making accurate casts and/or skip casting looking for a reaction bite, a short 20 to 24-inch leader works, as well as promoting pinpoint accuracy, but I also spend equal time two-handed pitching as well as casting, so for me a longer 4-foot leader works better. When the tide drops and the fish move out from under cover to the grassy, shallow pothole cover, I’m also going to a much longer leader.
When bottom fishing tarpon and sharks using braided main line, I’ll add a swivel then a 15 to 20-foot mono leader (adding a short piece of wire for toothy types) making handling an unhappy set of snapping jaws with a new toothache safer than dealing with a cut-your-wet-hand-to-the-bone braided main line and short leader.
Offshore in clear Gulf waters, snappers and other desirable bottom fish can also be very line and leader shy, as well as clear water coastal tarpon with excellent eyesight.
For general fly fishing, make your leader about the same length as your rod. Strictly close-in casting heavy cover mangrove shorelines or lily pad bass hangouts, I’ll move down to 6 feet. Bone and permit fishing in the beautiful, gin-clear, shallow waters of the Keys, 12 feet or more may be called for.
Buy expensive, pre-made tapered leaders or easily build your own. Start with a 4-foot butt section of 50-pound tied to 3 feet of 25-pound, tied to 2 feet of 15-pound. Fish as is or if needed add a short 6-inch heavier mono or single strand wire bite tippet. Experiment. Attach your leader to your fly line with loop to loop connections or cut off the fly lines welded loop and attach the leader with a nail knot.
What pound test leader on my inshore set-up? Hard question that depends greatly on the structure or lack thereof, the species, size, as well as the angler’s skill and often plain luck.
Talk about skill and luck, consider George Hogan Jr.’s world record 41.5-pound. redfish on 2-pound test. For general daytime snook fishing, I’ll fish 25 to 30-pound but fishing the bridges at night, 60 to 80-pound.
Line color. As a longtime fan of extra-long leaders, braided line color was never a concern and always used regular green Power Pro but switched to sky blue. I lack conclusive proof this has increased my daytime, blue skies, hook-up ratio but it makes me feel good and confidence is a huge part of being a successful angler.
There are many useful monofilament to braid and leader building knots (netknots.com – each knot illustrated with animation). Pick your favorite and learn to tie it correctly. For the stiff fingered or sight challenged, buy an (original) Tie-Fast, which is a great $10 device that makes tying pro grade knots and multi-piece leaders a breeze. (Local tackle or Amazon)
Time is running out to bring home red snapper for dinner. Summer season closes July 31 and remains closed till Sept. 1. Everyone has their favorite snapper rig but a simple knocker rig works fine. Tie on a swivel then add the leader. Thread a sliding sinker onto your 50 to 80-pound, 4 to 6-foot leader. Add a soft bead then tie on a non-stainless, inline circle hook or just a non-stainless circle, in federal waters.
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at captgeorget4@yahoo.com or (239) 440-1621.