Thread: Leaders for toothy fish

Originally Posted by bodebum

That looks cool. Would a weighted float act the same as a bubble on that type of set-up? Or, why is the bubble preferred?

I've never tried a weighted float. I would guess the bubble float is preferred because it is clear and the fish's attention is drawn to the bright colored straw instead of the float. The weight of the bubble float is also adjustable, depending on how much water you put in it. I have also seen colored bubble floats, but I always use clear because I would think you would get a lot of cutoffs due to fish hitting the float instead of the straw. I normally catch more spanish with a fast steady retrieve, but have also seen people using popping corks do well too.

Originally Posted by bodebum

That looks cool. Would a weighted float act the same as a bubble on that type of set-up? Or, why is the bubble preferred?

Tato uses a weighted float with great success---catches almost as many as I do.

Tying mono to wire is where I'm having a problem. I tend to use a small swivel so I can get cut off in style.

THE UNI LEADER KNOT
1. Tie a half hitch in the leader and thread the main line.

2. Pull the hitch tight, then tie in a five turn Uni Knot.

3. Tighten the Uni Knot, pull the two halves of the leader knot together and trim.

Shock leader rule
For every ounce of lead that you cast, multiply by 10 and convert to Ibs.
Leader length should be 5 times around reel, up-to the top of the rod and back to reel.

I've had great success with the yucatan knot:

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Originally Posted by Haywire

Tato uses a weighted float with great success---catches almost as many as I do.

Tying mono to wire is where I'm having a problem. I tend to use a small swivel so I can get cut off in style.

Or do as Lou does ,use a length of broomstick.

[QUOTE=Traxxx;97139]THE UNI LEADER KNOT
1. Tie a half hitch in the leader and thread the main line.

2. Pull the hitch tight, then tie in a five turn Uni Knot.

3. Tighten the Uni Knot, pull the two halves of the leader knot together and trim.



John G. has suggested this knot on an old post. I have used it for a few years now and this knot hasn't failed me yet! Very easy to tie.

Originally Posted by usa

Or do as Lou does ,use a length of broomstick.

I think I will try that. I'm getting tired of breaking bubbles against the pilings and I seem to be too dumb to adjust my retrieve.

Will the uni leader knot work with any size single wire or is it more specific to certain sizes? Thanks

Originally Posted by Doubleyaker

Will the uni leader knot work with any size single wire or is it more specific to certain sizes? Thanks

The uni leader knot is best for mono main line to a heavy mono leader. I use an albright knot for attaching a wire leader to mono main line. I have a small spring loaded clamp with rubber coated jaws attached to my cart to hold the wire while tying the albright knot. Hard for me to tie without a third hand.

What do you guys use for leaders when fishing with lures for Spanish? When I was down at the pass a few weeks back, I hooked into a couple of good ones (one on a Rat-l-trap, the other on a Gotcha), but they cut my 30# mono like butter within a few tugs. I can totally see using 50# mono or wire with bubble rigs, but I'm not sure what the solution is with normal lures.