Fishing leashes: types, how to choose material for a leash and make it

What are fishing leashes and what types of fishing are they used for?

A leader is a small piece of line, fluor or leader material that is attached to the end of the main piece. And hooks, spoons and other baits and equipment are already mounted on the leash. For long casts, the leash is attached not to the main line, but to the shock leader. Sometimes, to connect equipment to the main gear, a special elastic insert is used - a feeder.

When a fisherman is preparing for fishing, he can prepare in advance the required number of leashes with already prepared equipment. This is especially important in cases where an angler wants to try several fishing options in one trip to a pond.

Sometimes the hook may become dull. In this case, it will help if you have several leashes with sharp hooks in stock. This element of the gear must be prepared taking into account the characteristics of the fish that are going to be caught.

Example of using a leash

A leash is also used for camouflage. The main line can be visible, which can easily scare away fish. A thin leash will lull her into alertness. It is known that this circumstance is very important when catching crucian carp or bream.

When fishing, the hook often catches on something underwater. For example, he can stick into a snag. In this case, you will have to lose the leash, but the main equipment will remain intact.

When catching predators, the leash is used for other purposes - a situation is possible, especially when catching pike and pike perch, when they can easily gnaw through the fishing line. In such cases, you can, for example, use a steel or tungsten leader to eliminate this possibility.

Everyone should know how to make leashes

What could be simpler - buy a leader material that you trust, choose the necessary spinning accessories and assemble equipment for any fishing. There is no need for great skill; moreover, everyone should be able to make leashes for pike with their own hands. The necessary tool is in every home. But the fishermen’s hands were always in place.

Preparing the tools

What tool will be needed:

• side cut pliers;
• small side cutters or nippers;
• round nose pliers;
• fishing pliers (with an internal protrusion) for unclamping the winding rings;
• set of diamond files;
• shoe needle.

Photo 3. Processing the ends of the leashes.

Manufacturing process

The technological process for making leashes for pike fishing will depend on the material chosen. In one case, the most popular option would be to form a loop using tubes. In another case, by knitting loops in knots. Every angler knows how to make a leash in the latter case, making similar loops on every fishing trip. The first option should be discussed in more detail:

Almost everything is important in fishing. We are talking not only about the characteristics of a particular type of fish. Many other factors also matter.

Its distinctive feature is that its refractive index of light is almost the same as that of water. This equipment causes a lot of controversy in the fishing community. It is believed that such a leash can compete with steel in strength, while it is transparent and, for the most part, invisible to the fish.

Others believe that when catching predators such as pike, its use is pointless, because the pike will easily bite it and jump off the hook.

It is believed that it acquires the required degree of rigidity only when its thickness exceeds 0.5 millimeters. The use of a fluorocarbon leash has become most popular when using light baits on those fish that are unable to chew through it (this applies, for example, to perch).

Reviews for fluorocarbon leash

— Under certain conditions, there were clearly defined situations when a fluorocarbon leash defeated other leashes with a devastating score. It is undesirable to use thin diameters when fishing for pike; several of my “Japanese” teeth were chewed off last year, but the total number of bites was higher than that of my comrades.

Select a fishing line and make a loop at the end. It is desirable that the knot be neat. Protruding ends should be cut off. (Picture 1).

Types of fishing leashes and leash materials

For the manufacture of leashes, various leash materials can be used, each of which has its own characteristics that determine their use. The choice of the appropriate option depends on the characteristics of the fish being caught.

Monoline and braided line when catching peaceful fish

These materials are used in most cases. Typically, a thinner line is used for the leash compared to the main one.

Soft leashes

Fluorocarbon line

This material began to be used in the seventies of the 20th century. The chemical and physical characteristics of this material are similar to Teflon. It is used both for leashes and as the main fishing line.

One of the important features of this material is that it is not affected by moisture even after a long stay in water. Because of this, it does not change its strength characteristics even with prolonged use.

Such leashes are invisible in the water, but very durable. They are suitable for catching most types of fish, including some predatory species.

Fluorocarbon leaders are used by anglers in almost all types of fishing.

Steel wire, also known as “steel”

At first glance, it seems that it will be ineffective because it is relatively visible in the water. However, when fishing for pike, which can easily gnaw through a regular leash with its teeth, such leashes are irreplaceable.

Steel leashes are heavy and durable. They can be twisted, but it is not recommended to bend them several times in one place. In particular, you need to pay attention to this circumstance when organizing their storage.

This gear is used in the vast majority of cases for pike fishing. It is rarely used for catching other types of fish.

Steel wire - twisted

Kevlar leashes

The use of this material to create leashes began relatively recently. Kevlar combines softness, ductility and high strength.

Such leashes have gained popularity when fishing for trophy fish using a line or carp using nipples. When using Kevlar equipment, it must be checked for tooth marks and replaced if necessary.

Kevlar leash

Tungsten leash is a good option for pike

Tungsten guide materials demonstrate high strength. The material is lightweight and does not affect the play of artificial baits. The cost of tungsten leashes is relatively low. The disadvantage of this material is its ability to remember shape. It is considered impossible to straighten such material.

Titanium leashes

The titanium leash is durable and heavy. The material does not remember its shape. This option has not gained wide popularity due to its high cost. Some fishermen prefer the use of titanium leaders when catching large fish.

Titanium leashes are one of the options for leash material used for pike

Leash materials

Most fishermen always use a steel leader for spinning fishing. And it doesn’t matter whether they catch with an oscillating or rotating spoon. On a wobbler or jerk bait. Even the smallest pike can easily bite through the fishing line. She can handle both monofilament and braided fishing line.

Before choosing a material , you need to consider one detail. In terms of carrying capacity, the leash should be at least as good as the main line. If you make the leash yourself, you need to take into account that all its components (swivels, tubes) must have the same load-carrying capacity.

Braided steel leash

The strength of a steel leash is no greater than that of a monofilament fishing line. You should not forget about this, otherwise you may suddenly find yourself without a pike.

High load wears out the leash. Gradually it loses its original carrying capacity. In order for the leash not to fail at the most crucial moment and to last long enough, it must be twice as strong as the main fishing line. For example, the fishing line is 5 kg, and the leash is 10 kg. This is a standard combination that is successfully used by all experienced fishermen.

Tips for fisherman: How to put live bait on a tee on a pike - Detailed review

An equally important quality of a leash is its length. Many people believe that it should be as large as possible in order to protect the fishing line from the insidious jaws of pikes. They are wrong. For a spinning rod, 30 cm is enough . And with a kilometer-long leash, casting bait will not be an easy task.

But if the bait is a jerkbait, it’s better to play it safe. In any case, you need to make sure that the length of the bait does not exceed the length of the leash, but also does not restrict casting.

Steel wire

A more durable option is steel wire. It should be used when fishing with bucktail spinners and jerk baits. The maximum that a pike can do with this leash is bend it. But straightening it out is a matter of minutes. Moreover, you can do this by hand without any additional tools.

But high rigidity does not come without reason. Steel wire is very visible in water. As already mentioned, whether this is important for the pike or not is unknown. But fishing while looking at a shiny piece of iron and remaining calm is an impossible task.

The wire can be painted , and the store sells already painted rods. But still, wire is not the best material. For ease of fishing you need something softer.

Titanium-nickel leash

A very expensive , but excellent in all respects, leash made of titanium and nickel alloy. It is durable, soft and does not lose its qualities over time. Just like the steel leash, the titanium-nickel leash is available in braided rope and wire.

Fluorocarbon leader

A very interesting and controversial material is fluorocarbon . It is generally accepted that pike bite it 100% of the time. But it's not that simple. This material is increasingly found in anglers’ recommendations for spinning pike fishing. Why would this happen?

The thing is that under the fancy name “fluorocarbon” can hide almost anything. In the original, such a leash should be made entirely of a compound of fluorine and carbon.

However, many manufacturers use fluorocarbon only as a leader shell. That's why it's so easy to snack on. In addition, it wears out greatly over time , allows water to pass through and is difficult to tolerate ultraviolet radiation.

The leash, entirely made of fluorocarbon , does not absorb water and is not afraid of ultraviolet rays.

Before spawning, pike are caught with a jig with vibrating tails or twisters. Foam rubber fish and spinners perform well. After spawning, the predator bites well on rotating spoons and wobblers.

What types of fishing leashes are there?

Based on the operating principle, leashes are divided into several types:

1. Those who float neither sink nor float. This happens because their density is the same as water. Used where there is a lot of underwater vegetation.
2. Those who drown when casting immediately sink to the bottom . They are usually relatively thick and heavy. They are used in places where there is a clean bottom.
3. Pop-up leashes tend to rise up. Their area of ​​application is a muddy bottom or the presence of underwater vegetation.
4. Invisible leaders are invisible to fish. They are beneficial for catching shy species. They are used in clean water.
5. Hard leashes are used for fishing with jerk baits and jig baits.

There are also combined options. At the same time, leashes of various types are offered in the kit.

What are the leaders, types and types of leader materials - what you need to know about fluorocarbon, twisting, titanium leader material and hardmono:

Nuances of choosing leashes for pike fishing

The basic criterion for a pike leash is that it cannot be bitten by a toothy one. Now you have a choice among ready-made ones for sale or decide on your own homemade material.

Fluorocarbon

There are no other leash options when fishing for perch and pike perch. When fishing for pike you need to be careful in using them. Often, they are used by jig fishermen. Since fishing line with a diameter of 0.35 mm is slightly better than steel, it will already be noticeable.

You have to choose between strength and camouflage. In addition, large individuals cut such leashes. So choose between 0.3 and 0.4 mm diameter.

Notes:

1. Never use flucarbon on wobblers.
2. A leash made of 0.25 mm fishing line is made up to one meter long for small individuals.

Special leader material

It is not difficult to make such a leash 0.3-0.4 m long. The basis of its fishing line is a braided material in the form of a tight braid, with many thin steel veins. Also covered with a protective film. It is sold either by the meter, or by 3, 5, 7 m. For its fastening, crimping tubes and fasteners with swivels are used.

Also, ready-made leashes of the required length are already on sale. Such leashes have almost no effect on the action of the bait, do not deform and are very durable.

Notes:

1. If there is strong resistance from the pike, the leash can twist into a spring and permanently receive marks from its teeth.
2. When individual veins are separated from the leash, such leashes should be replaced.

Steel

The main disadvantage is minimal camouflage. Often used when quickly moving bait (jig, spoon, wobbler).

Among the advantages are the strength of the fishing line and the ability to cut through algae. Thanks to the latter, the angler does not pull out a bunch of algae along with the tackle.

You can find on sale either a special material for steel leads or one already made from it, or you can use thin guitar strings or another alternative of 0.3-0.4 mm steel wire. But still they cannot compete with special steel ones. They make leashes of 0.2-0.3 m.

Titanium

According to the characteristics, the leash is similar to the steel one, but its distinguishing feature is the lack of memory. That is, it will withstand many pike attacks and at the same time remain smooth and elastic. There is only one remark - this leash is very expensive.

Tungsten

Often, a leash is used on wobblers. Like the 2 previous materials, it is durable and visible in water. Lighter than steel. Sold ready-made.

The disadvantages include the weak wear resistance of the fishing line. So, after 2-3 pike attacks, such a leash begins to twist. Requires constant inspection. If it is possible to buy a titanium one, then do not waste money on a tungsten one; in all other cases, a tungsten leash is better than other materials.

Leashes for peaceful fish

When choosing a leash for peaceful fish, you need to take into account that the following requirements apply to them:

1. It must be resistant to wear.
2. It is important that this accessory has sufficient mechanical strength so that the fish does not fall off the hook.
3. Sometimes it is necessary for the tackle to have a certain degree of stretch.

It is important that the leash can be used with the right types of fishing knots. In most cases, it is enough to use a fishing line with a thickness of 0.1-0.16 mm. If a fisherman uses a leash of minimal thickness, then it is recommended to use a rubber insert - feeder. It is located between the main line and the leader, making the tackle more elastic. The length of the feeder is usually 5-12 cm.

Fly fishing rod with feedergam leash

For peaceful fish, it is important to choose a tackle that ensures high sensitivity to bites. Otherwise, she will abandon the bait at the first sign of danger. Therefore, it is necessary to use thin and long leashes. If the bite is weak, their length can be increased.

This kind of gear is easy to make yourself. To do this, you can take monofilament or braided line and tie them using a fishing knot suitable for the occasion. For this type of fishing, carbines and swivels are also used. When fishing, choose the most effective leash options.

What fishing line to equip a spinning rod for pike

You can hunt for toothy predators using monofilament fishing line or braided cord. How to equip a spinning rod for pike depends on the bait and fishing conditions. Nylon has the following advantages:

• Cheapness.
• Extensibility.
• Less noticeable in water.
• Slippery structure that allows you to make long casts with light lures.

It is advisable to wind monofilament onto a spool when fishing with rotating spoons, spinners, crank wobblers, and spinnerbaits. These types of lures do not require sensitivity from the tackle, so stretch line is preferable. See the review of the top 5 monofilaments here.

When fishing with spinners, especially those with large stubborn blades, the line will inevitably spin. In such a situation, the braided cord will quickly become unusable and will have to be thrown away. Monofilament survives such “tests” better and its loss will not have such a significant impact on the fisherman’s finances.

If an angler goes fishing for pike with silicone lures, twitching, or plans to fish with spaced-out rigs, then you can’t do without a multi-filament cord. Its non-stretchability ensures maximum sensitivity of the gear and makes it possible to register any bites of a predator.

Tips for fisherman: Catching asp with a spinning rod - the best videos - What to choose for fishing

The braid, with an equal diameter with the fishing line, has a higher breaking load. This allows, other things being equal, to choose a cord of small thickness, which will ensure casting range, thinness of the tackle and better sensitivity.

To equip a spinning rod for perch, you should prepare the following components of the gear:

Leashes for predatory fish

When catching predators, you need to take into account that they are much more aggressive. Catching them involves high mechanical loads on the gear. Therefore, various high-strength driving materials are used.

Typically, predatory fish are larger in size compared to peaceful fish species. This places additional demands on the strength of the leashes. It should be taken into account that some species, for example, pike and pike perch, can mechanically damage the fishing line leash. This is associated with the use of leashes that are made of one metal or another, as well as fluorine.

Fluorocarbon is suitable for catching cautious predators, since such a leash is invisible in the water.

Fluorocarbon leaders are invisible in the water

The use of Kevlar allows you to catch large fish. Such a leash will be clearly visible in the water, so it is only suitable for fish that are not shy enough.

The use of steel is classic when fishing for pike. This material is dense and heavy, but it prevents the bait from playing freely. Therefore, such leashes are used when fishing for catfish and striped fish, but are rarely used for other types of fish.

Titanium products are used when fishing with large artificial baits. In this case, visibility will not significantly affect the situation. However, this material is relatively expensive and is not widely used.

Titanium leads assemble well on crimp tubes

The use of tungsten leashes is effective when catching almost any type of predatory fish. These accessories provide good animation of baits and ensure high durability of the gear.

How to choose a leash for catching a predator, what leash material to choose for pike, pike-perch, perch:

Braided leader material is often used in carp fishing:

Types of leader materials for carp

Modern leader materials for safe carp fishing have a fairly large number of characteristics in which a beginner will very quickly get lost. These are specific colors (or even transparent invisible leashes), buoyancy (sinking, floating or neutral buoyancy), breaking load, length, thickness. And many others, to a greater extent, are understandable - only for pros.

However, the most important and generalizing parameter (especially for beginning carp anglers) is the degree of their rigidity. That is, all currently existing leader materials for carp can be divided into 3 main groups: soft (without a protective shell/braid), soft (but with a shell/braid) and hard (classic - nylon or exclusive - fluorocarbon).

So what are they individually?

Soft woven materials without sheath (braid)

The main advantages of soft leader materials (without braid) are the most natural (natural) presentation of the bait (due to a high degree of elasticity) and low resistance to external influences (that is, the carp will not “feel” the leader when tasting your bait). Their main purpose is carp fishing on ponds or lakes with a hard or silty bottom (including areas “overgrown” with underwater vegetation). That is, virtually anywhere where there are no snags, shells or other sharp objects/obstacles at the bottom (in particular, stones). Because the material is, after all, SOFT and WITHOUT protective braiding.

To catch carp on a hard bottom, it is better to use leashes made of soft/sinking materials, which, when immersed, will ideally “follow” its contours. For muddy or grassy bottoms, leader materials with neutral buoyancy are ideal (by the way, they can become sinking at any time - after rubbing with soft lead).

Guide material without sheath from Kryston

And now - honestly about its shortcomings. Despite many advantages, as mentioned above, these materials are not only extremely soft (which is fraught with endless overlaps during casting), but also completely unprotected from external (cutting) influences. And if seasoned Karpolovs struggle with the first “trouble,” for example, by applying a special gel (which gives rigidity to the leash in the air and dissolves in water), then with the second, God himself will not help. That is why the carp type of leader materials are still soft, but in a protective shell.

Soft woven materials in a sheath (braid)

Unlike the previous version, this type of product is, in principle, the same elastic (although the very first models did not differ much in this quality). But it is also effectively protected from cuts (due to a special braiding on the outside), and as comfortable as possible (not overlapping) when casting (even during power casts - over long distances). Just to ensure that the part of the equipment where the bait is on the hook is optimally mobile, it is necessary to remove the protective sheath on the leash (i.e., you need to “expose it” by 1.5 cm from the eye of the hook). Of course, this can be done with a sharp knife, teeth or nails, but it is better to immediately purchase a special / branded tool. As a rule, it performs several functions at once (3 or even 4).

Soft braided leader material from KORDA

Hard materials (nylon mono line and fluorocarbon)

Even before the Kryston company released the world's first braided lines in the late 80s, most carp fishermen (who at that time had the “secret knowledge” of carp rigs ) actively used ordinary nylon mono-line to make leashes. Naturally, later, when braided lines (in a large assortment) appeared on the shelves of fishing stores, many carp anglers switched to them. But on hard areas of the bottom, everyone also used hard (but reliable) mono, since soft braided cords in a protective braid had not yet been developed.

Nowadays (due to the popularization of sport carp fishing), a significant part of the international market has already been captured by fluorocarbon. The ideal material for a win-win (i.e. guaranteed) bite is perfectly sinking, absolutely transparent, reliable and rigid (virtually eliminating all chances of the fish leaving). Especially for installations such as chod-rigs and combi-rigs, carp companies have created a separate type of “soft” fluorocarbon, which can be given curved shapes using a special device (over steam). These companies did not forget to modernize the classic mono, increasing its “memory effect” and reducing weight (for optimal buoyancy).

Korda IQ Fluoracarbon (fluorocarbon)

“Sophisticated” leash materials

It’s definitely worth noting that today there are “cool” leader materials designed specifically for sophisticated carp anglers. Basically, they are a combination of classic/soft braid and some hard materials (mentioned above, mono line or fluorocarbon). That is, according to the principle of the “design” of leadcore, inside these products there is a fishing line, and outside there is a soft braid (maybe covered with lint - for optimal camouflage in algae). Seasoned Karpolovs immediately liked these new “tricks”! Since with their help, for example, it became possible to create knotless types of tricky gear, which is virtually impossible to do when using “traditional” leader materials.

Leashes for various types of fishing

The use of leashes depends on the fish you plan to catch. Experienced fishermen will prepare the required number of equipment so that when fishing they use pre-prepared gear.

When choosing a fishing line, you need to pay attention to the following:

1. You should prefer not the cheapest options.
2. When checking the breaking load value, you need to take into account what kind of fish you plan to catch. The value specified by the manufacturer must be reduced by approximately 30% to obtain the actual value.
3. You need to squeeze the line with your fingers. If after this it begins to curl, then it is better to refuse to buy it.

It is believed that a high-quality leading thread will shine. If a tackle is sold with a hook already attached, it must be well sharpened. Depending on the type of hook, you can determine the purpose of the gear:

• if it is elongated, then it should be used with live bait;
• short is suitable for use with plant bait;
• A barbed hook is suitable for worms or other types of bait.

When using leashes in different types of fishing, the requirements may vary. For example, for a float rod or donkey, they are simply tied to the main fishing line, loop to loop and other knots.

Leash for float rod

When fishing with a feeder, it is necessary that all the equipment is mounted on the leash.

Several different options are prepared for fishing. The length of the leash can be from several tens of centimeters to one and a half meters. However, when fishing with a slowly falling bait, their length can reach 2.5 meters.

The role of the leash

Initially, a strong leash (in the very first versions, made of wire) was designed to prevent a pike or some other predator from biting the fishing line . It was a pity to lose the artificial bait. Later they noticed that when fishing with live bait, the leash can successfully play the role of a sinker and even allow the baitfish to be in the water column in a more natural state. That is, this tackle to some extent made it easier to catch large specimens.

Tips for fisherman: How to catch pike with a spinning rod from the shore - How to best use

Another reason for using leashes may be the bottom of the reservoir. If there are a lot of shells and sharp stones on it, the line can quickly fray after several casts. The leash will pass such a test with success.

True, he himself often actively clings to the unevenness of the bottom, this must be taken into account.

By type of material from which they are made:

How to do it yourself

Metal leashes can be made with your own hands. To do this, you need to take the following steps:

1. Using wire cutters, cut a piece of wire of the required size.
2. Using pliers, make a loop to connect to the main fishing line.
3. On the other side, another loop is made to attach the swivel.
4. The bent ends on both sides need to be wrapped around the main part of the wire.

To make a leash from fluorocarbon and synthetic materials you need to perform the following steps:

1. A piece of thread of the required length is cut.
2. The crimp tube is put on.
3. A loop is made into which you need to insert a swivel.
4. The tube is being crimped.
5. The second edge of the fishing line is processed in the same way.

Homemade fluorocarbon leash on crimp tubes
Making your own leashes for fishing with your own hands:

For some types of fishing, making a leash yourself is very difficult. In such cases, it is preferable to purchase ready-made gear.