Beginners Tips: Tying Leaders

[cchobot]

How do you all tie your leaders for use in the surf? Any Tips? What terminal tackle do you use & do you tie at home or on the fly?

My leaders: My current setup goes:

- Braid of choice to Spro size 2 power swivel via a double palomar
- to about 5 ft of 52# Mirage Fluoro via a clinch knot (not improved - longish tag end)
- to a Breakaway FL1 (80#) clip via another clinch knot (not improved - longish tag end)
- to a lure of my choice
- and hopefully to a large striped bass

I pre-tie a bunch at home and keep them in a sealed bag in my leader wallet.

What are you all using?

[scottw]

hey Chris, didn't I see somewhere that they've upgraded/improved the breakaway snaps? you didn't have them in stock for some time..


I use a uni/ uni braid to leader...double wrap and a clinch to a snap

I keep one snap pre-tied to my roll of leader material in my plug bag pocket so I can rip one off..uni/uni to the braid and good to go quickly

[clogston]

bombers and other small lures - 3.5' long 30 lb mono leader, small breakaway snap and krok swivel

any plugs big enough to swim well with larger terminal tackle - 4'-5' long 50 lb mono leader, large breakaway or coastlock and krok swivel

eels - 4'-5' long, 50 lb mono leader, gami LB hook (not LBHD)

all leaders are pretied, coiled and held with twist ties and carried in zip locks (except the eel leaders which I carry in the plastic bags that the hooks come in)

[Back Beach]

Spro 80# or 130# swivel.

50# big game mono.

6/0 gami octopus snelled to a 36" leader for eels.

I sometimes pretie, but mostly fabricate on site to ensure freshness of the knots.
Yes, I can spin up a snell knot in seconds while being pounded by wind and waves.

For plugs I will either tie direct or use a large coastlock if its a swimming lure.

[cchobot]

Originally Posted by scottw

hey Chris, didn't I see somewhere that they've upgraded/improved the breakaway snaps? you didn't have them in stock for some time..

Not sure if they've been improved or changed, I'd be interested if you can track down a link on that. I do know they're in huge demand and short supply at the moment. They're basically worth their weight in gold. I use the FL1 and I know I have exactly 10 left (found 2 while cleaning out my car yesterday) if anyone doesn't know what they are take a look:

[scottw]

pilfered from another site:

My local shop guy gave me a couple improved snaps to try and I have to say they are MUCH better then the breakaway. They are slightly heavier wire with the same basic design but have the starting bend in a better spot to put lures that have split rings on much easier. Also the plugs come off a lot easier as well due to a subtle bend in the set up. I have only fished with them one night and I like them. Don't need a light to change plugs...that is a plus. Also, they have a couple other cool styles. I forgot the name rolosomething tackle from new jersey I think but I will find out and post...so far these seem really nice. Have any of you used them? the snaps on the left in the photos are both breakaways the one on the right are the new ones (not made by breakaway, I think they are actually made in Germany and imported to NJ)

I queried because I'd like to try them but everytime I ask they are not available, thought maybe they were reworking them but apparently these are
from some other manufacturer, maybe we could track them down and keep em' in stock...I'll let you know if I get some more info Chris

from another manufacturer

[scottw]

note...CC Tackle is apparently stocking them, maybe you can get the ordering info from them, everything I've read from those using em'is positive, easier to get the plug on and off apparently

[kevin]

i use a line to line (UNI / UNI) from 50lb braid to, NOW, 60lb mono... on the mono side of the uni 4 wraps and I double up on the braid with 7-8 wraps.

plugs- coastlock

eels - tie direct with palomar or if pre-tied snelled- to 6/0 Gami Octopus ( actually I am starting to like the 7/0 4x strong for my eels)