Today, many fishermen decide to increase their chances of catching fish by using leader fishing line. A leader is a length of line attached to the business end of the main fishing line. This is the separate length to which lures are tied. The main fishing line and the leader fishing line are usually connected by tying them together with a knot (or knots) or by tying each fishing line to the separate ends of a swivel.
Fishers use leader lines because it provides extra protection against sharp rock edges, reef, and of course teeth. The second most important reason for using leader line is the fact that certain types of leader can make it difficult for fish to see the line connected to the bait. Needless to say, this decreases the angler’s chances of going home empty-handed.
When it comes to choosing a leader line, every inexperienced fisher should know that there are two main types of leader and each is used in different situations. Read on to find out more about monofilament leader and fluorocarbon leader.
Monofilament Leader
Monofilament leader fishing line is made of one strand of line. This type of leader line usually costs less than fluorocarbon leader. Monofilament leader absorbs water, stretches, absorbs sunlight, and has good quality abrasion resistance.
This type of leader line allows the angler to wind the trace or leader all the way through the guides and onto the reel. Monofilament leader line is suitable for bait fishing (surf, reef, boat), deep water jigging, and trolling.
If you decide to fish in reefy territories, you should be aware of the possibility of getting snagged, which is precisely when monofilament leader can come in handy (thanks to its abrasion resistance). The stretch of this type of leader line can save the day when trolling lures as it will help act as a shock absorber when the lure gets hit.
Fluorocarbon Leader
Fluorocarbon leader line is a single filament line that’s generally more expensive than monofilament leader. Fluorocarbon leader absorbs little water, sinks, and has a ‘refractive index’ which is why fish can’t see it. This type of leader fishing line is more abrasion resistant than monofilament but it doesn’t stretch as much as mono leader line.
Fluorocarbon leader is ideal for lure fishing in clear waters (lures are much more appealing to fish when the leader line is practically invisible) and for fishing around snags or pylons. Due to its low water and sunlight absorption, fluorocarbon lasts for a longer period of time and doesn’t break as easily and quickly as mono.