Braid wind-on leaders - anyone use them?
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: The Work-Up
Forum Description: Game fishing related topics here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=130041
Printed Date: 27 Jul 2026 at 2:01pm
Topic: Braid wind-on leaders - anyone use them?
Posted By: Fishb8
Subject: Braid wind-on leaders - anyone use them?
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2019 at 4:50pm
|
Have used some for a couple of seasons and like the idea of them but wonder about their visibility. From below, a mono leader will be visible against the sky....? You can make a very thin 300lb leader in braid. ------------- Be yourself; everyone else is already taken |
Replies:
Posted By: Marligator
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2019 at 5:10pm
|
Roy, a mate of mine in Whitianga uses 500lb ones to good effect, he has used them for a number of years.Personally I am not overly a fan of them, because if you get tangled and the fish takes off you are not going to break it, so you go swimming with the fish. 500lb is still reasonably thick probably diameter of 150lb mono whereas 300lb will be a lot thinner and you run the risk of cutting your hands badly if things go pear shaped. But in saying that they are nice and limp so will not affect lure action much. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: MATTOO
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2019 at 6:23pm
|
I run some, but on smaller gear. Hasn't restricted my hook up. But as mentioned above handling a big fish by the boat. I'm still uncomfortable with that for me. ------------- Still cruising in my now sweetas pimped out Southern 755 HT0! |
Posted By: terrafish
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2019 at 9:53pm
|
I would be cautious of them. Risk of tangling to high, too easy to cross a wrap, any trace slippage would be painful, body/tail wrapped fish could wear thru quickly and as matt said, a big fish by the boat, be uncomfortable with that. nicely understated. If you gunna use em be carefull boatside |
Posted By: Marligator
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2019 at 10:36pm
|
Roy, thinking about it that mate of mine in Whitianga will be using those Kevlar one's of Nathan's (Red Gill Lures) as he is good mates with him, he also sells Red Gill Lures. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: Fishb8
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2019 at 7:10am
Tracing using cheap Showa gloves from ITM gets a great grip - no need to take wraps, just hand over hand. Bent this hook on a very large Mako - perfect release! ------------- Be yourself; everyone else is already taken |
Posted By: swordfishsteve
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2019 at 8:46am
|
Guys Ok for using the Dyneema Braid wind on leaders I would suggest gloves like these: https://www.reelrepairguy.co.nz/product/963253 as the Dyneema can be a little slippery when dealing with big fish boatside. Yes be carefull if you are going to wrap leader as there is no stretch in Dyneema, only the mono bite leader which you can break 400lb but it takes a very good pull, I would suggest just pinch pull the Dyneema if required. Having sold hundreds of Dyneema wind on leaders I have only one client who did not like the feel of them, also having caught hundreds of Marlin using them I do not think they are an issue with fish visibility spooking the fish from striking lures or baits. IMHO Anyway each to their own, all about learning what works for you best! cheers swordfishsteve  ------------- REEL REPAIR GUY - Swordfishsteve, That Is Who I Am and That is What I Do : See More At :www.reelrepairguy.co.nz |
Posted By: Fishb8
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2019 at 4:49pm
|
On a couple of big lures, I've gone the whole hog with braid bite leaders, too. Spliced loops shackle for double hook, one end. A strong swivel connecting to the braid leader, connecting to a hollow braid mainline. ------------- Be yourself; everyone else is already taken |
Posted By: MATTOO
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2019 at 4:52pm
|
Fishb8, Do you mean hollowcore braid when you say braid. ------------- Still cruising in my now sweetas pimped out Southern 755 HT0! |
Posted By: Fishb8
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2019 at 9:35pm
|
Yes, 60 lb Jerry Brown hollow core. From reel to hook - all braid. It's not as rough as many think ------------- Be yourself; everyone else is already taken |
Posted By: MATTOO
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 6:28am
|
Ok, same page now. I do run a few rods from softbait, jig, casting, deep drop and trolling gear with solid braid through to swivel. Then I attach trace for corresponding style. I have never had a real problem that I'm aware of in hook ups. And handling has been ok but I can't remember choosing to handle the braid for something large, use a gaff at that point. My hollowcore use is generally topped with mono. And that can vary in length. On my casting units I'm using a 2-3 m topshot and regularaly grab that when fighting a fish. It has girth and seems nice to handle. I think I just err from handling thinner formats. As for visibility say when trolling I can see how it could be more obvious from below. But as Steve above mentioned I have not been aware of any detriment to my hook ups. ------------- Still cruising in my now sweetas pimped out Southern 755 HT0! |
Posted By: Grunta
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 7:18am
|
I've used the ones that SW Steve does for a few years now and they work a treat. Regarding braid being thinner and potentially dangerous boatside, I don't lead the wind-on - the angler can crank up that last bit of drag safely once they get a turn or two on and bring the fish boatside. Provided they're on to it enough to back off if it runs then that has worked fine to date. Generally once Stripeys settle down, they seem to be reasonably relaxed until you start pulling hard on the leader. Bringing them swimming boatside using just the wind-on seems to work pretty well Interested in others experiences and thoughts on this... |
Posted By: MATTOO
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 7:33am
|
Certainly a fan of a relaxed fish boatside. It's my preferred style, even with sharks I have found this last stage of the fight done in a slow motion affair while boat in motion has paid off with positive results. ------------- Still cruising in my now sweetas pimped out Southern 755 HT0! |
Posted By: Fishb8
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2019 at 7:41am
|
I like to pull leader at winding speed so the angler can step back, continue winding and back off the drag. Owing to a hand injury, can't close fist fully on left hand and don't think I can grip the leader so I'm either the angler or photographer. ------------- Be yourself; everyone else is already taken |