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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MupeT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: leader
    Posted: 16 Mar 2010 at 9:54pm
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what is a shock leader?
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote snapazapa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Mar 2010 at 10:42pm
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Shock leader is basically an extra length of line attached to your main line,lets say your line is 10kg,you attach 20/30kg line to it so as to absorb the stresses on the line while casting,you can generate alot of power with some of the new surf casters nowadays,usually i made it twice the length of the rod,when i upgraded to a powerplay i found i was snapping the trace off so had to use a shock leader,hope this helps 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kiwicaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Mar 2010 at 10:43pm
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A shock leader is a length of heavier mono or braid attached to your main line to take the "shock " of the cast.
Its typically long enough to go the full length of the rod and go around the reel 6 or more times.
The strength of the shockleader is determined by what sort of weight your casting and what sort of area your fishing .
Normal 3 to 5 oz weights over mainly sandy beaches a leader of around 15kg is fine.Bigger weights and/or rougher areas going up to 20 kg is not a bad idea.


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote got no boat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 12:55pm
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What is the best way to tie them? Any one got pics?
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MupeT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 6:00pm
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so is a shock leader difrent to ya trace?
 like you have main line swivel trace (thats heaver than ya main line) sinker... ledger rig
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote snapazapa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 6:50pm
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Main line=shock leader=trace
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote NZTurtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 6:51pm
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Yep, shock leader is between mainline and swivel. Trace on the end from swivel. Also helps with braid and not slicing your finger off...
Used to use blood knot to blood knot for nylon IIRC. Make sure you have casting guides and it sometimes helps to position the knot so it comes away without disrupting your mainline - otherwise you break off and that sorta negates the need for a shock leaderCry
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kiwicaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 6:59pm
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Theres a lot of knots you can use for the mainline to the leader .I use a uni knot to uni knot most of the time .
If you put "shock leader knot " into google you will get a lot of results pick out a few different types and try them out. So you find the knot that works best for you and whatever line you are using

Ideally the knot will be one you can tie with cold wet hands and gives high strength .

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote snapazapa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 7:56pm
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Originally posted by got no boat got no boat wrote:

What is the best way to tie them? Any one got pics?
 
havent used my surfcaster for a while but i think i use to tie back to back unis.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MupeT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 9:18pm
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so then does that mean the "shock leader" is wound on to the real (up to the swivel) as well ay?
will the knot not get caught in the guieds? then obstructing the cast?
also is it always needed to have a shock leader?
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote xsspeed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 10:46pm
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I've been using the slim beauty knot, search for that on youtube. Or else search slim beauty in the walkabout section and its in there (thats where I came across it)
 
 
Edit: Yep just mainline knotted to the shock leader, not always needed, but helps on lighter line to prevent bust offs when you load up your cast.
 
I am using tapered shocker leader (a slightly different approach to shock leaders - I don't recommend them around the rocks as I found out) and lost one on fri night thanks to the mother of all snags, then nest cast was just trace>swivel>mainline and loaded up the cast as per usual and CRACK trace went flying out to sea.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote ancient mariner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2010 at 11:28pm
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Back to back unis are bloody good knots, especially if you double up the mainline before tying it. Not sure about surfcasting, but I use them for straylining, rockfishing and they travel through the guides with ease and never had one bust!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kiwicaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2010 at 7:48am
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Yes the leader goes around the reel at least 8 or more times then the full length of the rod and then a a meter or two more.
You dont want the swivel getting too close to the tip ring as theres a possibility of the swivel causing damage to the tip ring if you wind it into it.
The knot can catch a bit some times but if you set it up so the knot is as small as poss its rarely a problem.
The distance that you may lose from it is more then made up for with the fact that you can realy lean into the cast and hit it rather then just lobing it and hoping it dosent crack off.


The other thing with the leader is at the last part of the fight when your trying to drag the fish in once you have the leader on the reel your now fighting the fish with 15kg line rather then 6 kg.


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote snapazapa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2010 at 5:37pm
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Originally posted by MupeT MupeT wrote:

so then does that mean the "shock leader" is wound on to the real (up to the swivel) as well ay?
will the knot not get caught in the guieds? then obstructing the cast?
also is it always needed to have a shock leader?
 
 
dont need to use it if ya dont want to,i found i had to,never had any problems with the knot catching,it does pull down quite small,i was fishing muiruwai so needed 4/5oz sand grabers hence why i needed the s/leader.
i left enough on the reel(s/leader) to grip when casting.
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