Leaders

[mike5097]

Since my ten year old started steelheading with me, I am going through hooks and leaders like crazy!
I normally tie my leaders with Maxima Chameleon leader material. It's getting pretty spendy replacing it though.
Is there really a difference in leader material compared to mainline mono?
I am going broke buying leader material and am wondering if any of you just tie up leaders using regular mono.
Could I get by with a mainline of 12Lb Maxima, and leaders of 10Lb Maxima?
Thanks for any advice!

[smoky]

Its been working fine for me.

For Steelhead I use 10#Ultragreen on the main and 8# Ultragreen for leader. 8# and 6# for low water.

Take one of those empty leader spools and have them put mono on it.

[Jim]

Mike,
If your question is can I buy mono in a refill your spool size instead of leader size the answer is yes...its the same stuff. Heck, in my broke years I used cheaper mainline and better leader. Also...what size hooks do you use? I have about 4000 2/0 that I would donate to a young boy....well maybe few less at a time but nonetheless If he needs hooks I would be happy to send them your way.

Thanks,

Jim

[rob allen]

Maxima leader material Is identical however you can take your empty spools to GI Joes and have them refilled rather that buying new ones. It still might be cheaper though to buy a large spool. also teach your boy to tie egg loops and get him his own leader dispenser. he is not to young to do some of this himself :blush: )

[mike5097]

Thanks for your advice on the leader material!
I've asked around but was told by several people to stick with leader material!
Now I can tie up hooks with wild abandon!
.
My son Nick was bored with trout fishing, and when he was nine, he saw his first steelhead he asked me why we don't fish for the big fish.
I told him that steelheading wasn't easy and he would have to put in alot of his time in before he got good at it.
He replied that that was OK with him, and has taken to it like a duck to water!
Thank god he is a "reader" and has read every book and article I have on the subject of steelheading.
I have had a heck of a good time in the last year relearning steelheading through his eyes, and am constantly amazed at his fresh look on things!
He has mastered the trilene knot and is practicing his egg loop but still can't get it consistently. He just isn't a natural at tying knots, but bless his heart he tries hard!
He can break down his Abu 5500, clean it, and put it back together, has his own gear and takes care of it.
For a ten year old kid I'm pretty impressed with him!

Mike

[Pilar]

Very cool Mike. For leader I save the leftovers from spools used to fill reels. There is always some left and it makes good leader. Much cheaper too. The leader spools are $2.5 for 30yds and reel fills are $8 to $10 for 220 to 400yds. It depends on the line. There is always 20 to 50 yds left so I get a reel filled up and at least one leader spool for free.

Good job on getting your son into something that is good clean fun all day long. I wish someone had started me early like that.

[parker]

Mike

Something that you local store may or may not do for you.

Over the years, I've just collected a bunch of those one-shot Maxima spools. I just go in to my favorite tackle store and have them slap on a couple hundred yards of bulk Maxima Ultrgreen on them. At any give time, I've got spools of 8, 10, and 12 lb test Ultragreen for leader material.

It's all the same line. Just get it in bulk and you're good to go.

I seem to use a lot of 12lb. Ultragreen for main line and 10-8 for leaders for steelhead. 20-12 for salmon. You really have to work hard at busting off a big steelhead on a 12/10 combo.

Like everythng in fishing, it all really depends on the rivers that you fish. The rivers, and how you fish will dictate what you should use for a mainline and leader.

[4Salt]

Another thing to consider is having him use jigs and floats. MUCH less tackle lost that way as opposed to drift fishing. :smile: