Doubling up

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:21 pm

Hi all,

Can I double up my 18lb main line to use as a shock leader for 4oz weights, or would I be better off buying some 40lb line for shock leaders

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:12 pm

never heard of it being done but i cant see it working, firstly the knots would be a nightmare, mainly as theyed be fairly big and therefore rubbish for casting and retrievig.

also 18lb plus 18lb (=36lb) wouldnt be strong enough..

much safer easier and more efficient to get proper leader, remember, the reason for a shock leader is safety, so best not to skimp or compromise.

graham

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:08 pm

ir there was any weed about it would make it a nightmare if it wasnt perfectly tight.
shockleader is cheap and a MUST so just go get some before you put a 4oz lead thru someones head

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 4:06 pm

and use 50lb leader to allow a bit of a safety margin. The other reason for using a leader is that being right behind the rig it sits on the sea bed and can stand up to the reulting abrasion so it will save you the cost of lost leads (and fish) as well.

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:20 pm

Thanks for the replies lads, I'll get some 50lb line for my shock leaders, as you say better safe then sorry.

Superdaft.

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:18 am

also, make sure you use enough of it and good appropriate knots....keep checking the knots regularly while you are fishing too.

i've heard some nasty stories of leads comming astray during casting....

graham

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:45 pm

also make sure your rig body is made of the same or stronger lb line,pointless having 50lb shockleader when your rig bodys are 30lb.i rule of thumb i have is 70lb all the way,incase you need to "weight up" ,strong current/tides etc.

all the best

Andy

Guest

hi sd im no expert but when i first used shookleaders i found it a pain getting good small knots ie 60lb sl to 18lb ml untill i was told about tappered shookleaders ie one end 18lb and the other 70lb know i get good knots and a saft line to cast with hope this may help, you can get them on a multy spool of five for about 6 quid there well worth it i think
steve

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:15 am

dontcatchmuch wrote:

hi sd im no expert but when i first used shookleaders i found it a pain getting good small knots ie 60lb sl to 18lb ml untill i was told about tappered shookleaders ie one end 18lb and the other 70lb know i get good knots and a saft line to cast with hope this may help, you can get them on a multy spool of five for about 6 quid there well worth it i think
steve

I agree DCM-I use the Varivas tapered leaders which can be joined to the mainline with a simple neat bloodknot happy

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:32 am

For joining shock leader to mainline
Take the shock leader ans make a knot like the first part of tying your shoelaces but thread the end through again.

Then take your mainline through the loop that you have made in your shock leader twice

Wet and pull the shock leader tight

Then with the end of the mainline put 5 to 6 turns around the shock leader

Then pass the end of the mainline though the loop at the end of the twist and wet and pull tight

Trim off ends

Sorry if the pics are a bit blurred but I have difficulty explaining the knots I use unless I'm actually showing someone

The clear line is 60lb mono and the yellow is 40lb mono just so that it would show clearly. The knot would be even neater with a thinner mainline.
Cheers
keith big grin

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:54 am

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aquarium/diary/rigs/leader1.html Half hitch grinner rabbi2? Easy to tie but the knot is quite wide and can catch smaller rings and level winds.

I use the albright..it turns out a bit longer but more narrow. Looks complicated to tie but after you've done a few it's easy to do on the beach in the wind/rain etc

As for tapered leaders...I think your likely to loose more rigs tying to a lighter line, especially as most knots are constrictive and lowers the B/S.