Mainline Strength vs Leader Strength

[Tulelicious]

I have always wondered why people typically run a higher strength mainline than the leader line. I understand that it may be done for versitility but is there any other reason you would need to run 10 to 12 lb mainline when you want to use an 8 lb leader? Or would 8 lb mainline work just fine. I've just always wondered this.

[KingFisher85]

That’s what I do, 8# main, 8# leader, unless I'm worried about there teeth cutting your leader line, then I'll do something like 8 main and 12 leader.
Most people run a heaver main line and a lighter leader because that lite leader should be the first thing to snap on a fish or on a snag.
Shoot, in the fall I run 8# main and 15# leader after I get my fill of fish :grin:

[jokester]

KF's right! If you hang up, you want the leader to be the first thing to snap rather than your mainline! This way, you lose your leader, but you also don't keep throwing away your lead and/or losing more of your mainline. If i'm anchor fishing, I sometimes run heavier leader than main (i.e. 30lb main and 40-50lb leader) for springers like KF said, because of their teeth! :shocked:

-jokester

[ 02-13-2004, 09:13 AM: Message edited by: jokester ]

[Fishing Maniac]

I run a higher pound test on my main line so when I hang up my hook it breaks first instead of my main line. Otherwise you could be losing a lot of your main line in a very short period of time. If you are ok with replacing the line on your reel often I guess that's fine but you are also potentially leaving large chuncks of your main line out in the river which may not be good for the fish or fisherman.