Been using a leader length that Gman recommended, that is; with the lure between 1st and 2nd eye, having a couple of winds of leader around the spool - so enough if you need to retie etc.

After looking at that vid that Bunzo posted up I see the cat casting with braid at his trigger finger, so a lot shorter leader. Watched quite a few vids of GT fishos and alot do seem to have shorter leaders. I would have thought fishing over shallow coral heads and tropical reef bombies longer leaders would be advantageous.

 So, is it anglers find casting better with a shorter leader as the joining knot is already up the guides? Whilst I don't get nearly as much wind knots as when I started out I still occasionally do fall victim to them. Can someone please enlighten me as I think that joining knot could be the culprit.

Here's a vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6IYkqxC4K8
Nomis posted up. It's about the Terez rods but it's got a slow mo of the line furling through the first guide. I could imagine the knot wanting to keep going.

currently i have gone for a short leader when fishing for gts etc in the tropics, they are not a long fish, much shorter in length than an equivalent nz kingfish for example. i find having a shorter leader i get much better length and less hassles with my casting. when casting i have braid in my trigger finger.

Thanks crew. Good oil there. Yeah using some of your varivas there Tony, but yes PR on a long leader might be my wrong ingredient to the recipe. Thank you.

YeeHaa wrote: Most people use normal brand  mono leaders. They are a lot stiffer and big diameter,  which could cause many casting problem. If you use shot leader, PR knot is the best. If you use long leader FG is the best. I use long leaders most the time. You can land your big fish a lot easier as well. I use Varivas casting sock leaders they are super soft and thin, Also fisherman leaders are very fine and nice too.

The varivas 130lb is excellent for both casting and jigging, and good value for money at $40 or so for 50 m.

What length are a short leader / long leader in your opinion, Tony?

I am afraid I am very old fashioned.... I just do about 18inches of double on my braid, then tie that to a swivel, and have that on a 3ft or so trace to my lure. Swivel is about 3 inches from the rod-tip when I cast.
I am not happy about doing otherwise, as I have found any knot at all in the line going thru the eyes on a cast causes problems, and as those problems happen when the lure is going maximum speed, any glitches can make a serious mess of things very quickly.
As for a fish getting into the coral, I reckon if a fish gets your line to coral, doesn't matter if it is braid or nylon, under those sorts of loads and speeds, it's just gonna pop anyhow.

That Varivas leader is not just nice and supple which helps it sit on the spool it is also thin for it's breaking strain. Very reliable, rate it highly.

Aaron32987 wrote: YeeHaa wrote: Most people use normal brand  mono leaders. They are a lot stiffer and big diameter,  which could cause many casting problem. If you use shot leader, PR knot is the best. If you use long leader FG is the best. I use long leaders most the time. You can land your big fish a lot easier as well. I use Varivas casting sock leaders they are super soft and thin, Also fisherman leaders are very fine and nice too. The varivas 130lb is excellent for both casting and jigging, and good value for money at $40 or so for 50 m. What length are a short leader / long leader in your opinion, Tony?

My 2 cents
Shot leader = PR knot sets out side the rod tip then lure hanging a little below the half rod length.
Long leader = 3-4 rounds leader on the spool then lure hanging a little below the half rod length.
PR knot is stronger than FG, if you use shot leader you have to wear casting/jigging gloves and also a bit hard to land a fish.
FG knot doesnt need a tool, soft knot and strong. But FG knot require very soft leader materials. If you dont make the FG knot nicely, the knot can be very weak.
At the end of the day, nothing is perfect, that is life

FG knot with 15 cross wraps, followed by 2 x sets of 8 alternate half hitches over both braid and leader, with strong pulling after each set with gloves to 'set' the cross wraps (mono will be shiny and poke through the wraps). Then a further set of 4-8 alternate half hitches just on the braid, flare off the leader tag with lighter and that is it.

Aaron32987 wrote: FG knot with 15 cross wraps, followed by 2 x sets of 8 alternate half hitches over both braid and leader, with strong pulling after each set with gloves to 'set' the cross wraps (mono will be shiny and poke through the wraps). Then a further set of 4-8 alternate half hitches just on the braid, flare off the leader tag with lighter and that is it.   Basically what this link describes: http://goodcatchfishing.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=33   Give it heaps tied on the tow bar of your car or something - no way I can break one of these yet with a whole heap of force over the rod / reel.

fish i wrote: Stick with the PR knot.. or what ever know u know how to tie. [/TUBE]