Leaders for bill- gamefishing? What's your choice?

[John F]

I've been using a 2.5 m long Aussie plait double line straight attached to the snap swivel. This in turn is attached to the lure leader (usually a 2.5 m mono)...

Would like to see what others use.... Bimini to a mono leader? How long?

Long double (bimini) straight to the swivel? How long?

Wind-on? How long?

What are the pros and cons of each?

This could be strictly targeting bills or general gamefish...

 

 

[shagnrelease]

Marcos, my big game rigs are all the same 2-3mtr double with either a bimini or aussie plait, 7mtr 300lb wind on leader to snap swivel.
the lighter stuff has a short 1-2 mtr double with a 3 mtr leader.

[REEFMAN]

Shag do you use Wind-ons for all your rigs, even the lighter stuff? Do you make your own or do you use the commercially made ones?

[shagnrelease]

I very rarely use a wind on any of my gear under 50lbs, generally on my 30lb outfits I just albright a leader on.


I like to make up my own but I generally get a bit lazy. So I have a 20 or so bought ones (suffix or momoi) with me at any given time, with my store bought ones I bind them up at the splices and coat with UV bond, Paul Borcherd makes some fantastic leaders he made us a few for the columbia and the quality was fantastic.

[John F]

Thanks!

[whodat]

Pelagics and saillies, 130lb seaguar fluoro or yozuri pink about 3-4m straight to a snap swivel, no double line. Drop to 80 then 60 if no bites. Little bit of cable (15cms) if its a mackerel known area... aka under 80m here. (that's as deep as we've caught them).
 
Marlin, 200lb seaguar fluoro or yozuri pink about 4 meters. Don't need more for the size of my boat and fish we have at Inhaca. Again, no double line or aussie plait.
 
 

[John F]

Thanks whodat... BTW how was the fishing yesterday?

[Capt. Hook]

So many choices regarding leaders.
 
For Konas & Feathers
On my 20lb tackle - 600mm bimini joined to 6-10m 50lb joined with double fig 8 and then another 600mm bimini to the snap.
On my 30lb tackle - 600mm bimini to 6-10m 100lb wind on crimped to snap.
On my 50lb tackle - 600mm bimini to 6-10m 100-200lb wind on crimped to snap.
On my 50lb that has 80lb line - 600mm bimini to 6-10m 200-400lb wind on crimped to snap.
My lures will have leaders from 2.4m for surface and 4.5m if I use birds or weights.
For comps all leaders are 6m and lure leaders 2.4m
 
For Rapalas and Halcos etc.
20lb-30lb-50lb joined to 7m 20lb-30lb-50lb flouro with double fig 8 and then to 300mm American wire (5-7-10) joined by small swivel
 
For Live baits and Strip baits
20lb joined to 5m 30lb flouro with bimini and double fig 8.
30lb joined to 5m 50lb flouro with bimini and double fig 8.
50lb joined to 7m 100lb flouro wind on
80lb onto 10m 200lb flouro wind on
 

[benniejordaan]

Personally I like to keep it simple - I'm lazy! I also don't like to keep tons of different line sizes. With a small selection I can do a lot!
 
20 or 30Lb class - Bimini - double figure 8 - 4m 80Lb leader - fig 8 - snap swivel
50 Lb class - Bimini - cats paw - 9m wind on 450Lb leader - crimp - snap swivel

[whodat]

John F, fishing was solid.. needed to fill up the freezer before i go back this Sunday already... 17 yellowthin, 15 couta, 8 cudas, just 2 on the boat, was enjoyable. Got some issues to take a look at on my trailer, not going out until its all sorted.

What knot do you use to tie the swivel to the aussie plait?

[John F]

Good stuff! My trailer is almost done... Tomorrow will assemble the whole lot and hopefully launch saturday...

Double to swivel I use a uni knot 5-6 turns... On 50/80 lb ... Very strong!

[TUNAMAN]

Marcos on the 20 - 30 pound stuff I will use leaders from 40pound fluoro to 80 pound. Bimini to 2 X figure eight. No snaps as in my opinion it defies the light leaders and tied on to whatever rigging is to be used. I make my leaders 6 meters for general fishing.

50-80 bimini to windon leader. Leaders 80 pound up to 400pound depending on target species. Leaders 6 m long with snaps at end. Crimp 2mm leaders and larger diameter.

Braid 30 pound to 130 pound. Pr knot on fluoro of about 4 m longs. Leaders from 80 pound Fluoro to 200 pound. I tend to settle on 100 - 120 pound now. More strikes but more chance of losing a fish.

[CAPTAIN MORGAN]

Hi, on our 30lb we use a behimini with 80lb floro along with a snap on swivel, on our 50 and 80lb rigs we do the Ausie plate with 100 and 400lb wind on leaders, but don`t use snap on swivels but pigtails and grommets as these are super strong. see pic`s.