Are your fishing line and leader up to the task?
Whether you are an inshore, offshore, freshwater, or saltwater angler, your fishing line and leader set-up will impact your fishing experience, for better or worse. Choosing a reliable set-up that you know will not break while fighting the fish of your dreams is essential.
Leaders
Think of a leader as an extension of your fishing line. It’s the line section between your main fishing line and your hook/lure. Leaders allow for a better presentation to the fish, provide a longer lifespan for your main fishing line, and are designed to withstand whatever rock beds or sharp fish teeth it may encounter.
Where you are fishing and what you are fishing for will determine which leader you need to purchase. The two most common types of leaders are fluorocarbon and monofilament. For large toothy, hard-fighting fish, steel leaders are sometimes used. The primary differences are abrasion resistance, UV light resistance, stretchability, reflection, sink rate and price.
Lines
As for your fishing line, the same rules apply when choosing which suits your needs best. Your fishing line choice is crucial because it needs to withstand the weight of the fish as you set the hook (increasing your catch success rate) and compliment the rod, reel, and bait/lure you are using.
There is a sweet spot for choosing the best line for the occasion. Here is a quick rundown to help guide your choice.
Monofilament Line: Also referred to as “mono,” this line is arguably the most popular line for anglers. It’s known for being affordable, abrasion-resistant, and its ability to stretch along with its wide variety of color options.
Fluorocarbon Line: One of the significant advantages of this line is its low visibility in the water. This allows for a very natural presentation, especially in high-pressure waters. This line is also known for its sensitivity, giving the angler improved communication (transfer of energy) between the fish and the line.
Braided Line: Due to the braid's tightly woven fibers and structural integrity, this line showcases unparalleled strength, performs best in waterways with heavy vegetation, and is the go-to line for deep water fishing.
West Marine offers a wide variety of fishing lines and leaders from trusted brands like Power Pro, Berkley, Seaguar and P-Line to help you catch more brag-worthy fish!