How long must the leader line be?

[Ninja]

Please help the newbie, just how long must the leader line be for carolina rigs? (and mojo for that matter) Does it depend on conditions, structures, lures or weight? Must it be 2ft or 4ft? As a newbie I have nor worked it out yet. At the moment I set it about 2ft... cause it looks lekka....catching is not to bad.....please help! :?:

[VX70]

I tend to fish it short (1 - 2 ft) in cover and long (2 - 4 ft) on the open flats! The longer the leader the more natural the bait looks! Remember that the leader must be lighter than the main line so when you get stuck you just lose the hook and worm and not the whole rig!

[robfisher]

No doubt that VX is spot on? I tend to use a leader of just over one foot because I find the longer leader harder to cast with?. But when I fish in the open which is not very often (I still find myself casting onto the shore or grass or rocks and dragging the bait back to the boat from the shallows) I make it longer? my gut feel tells me that a longer leader makes the lure more appealing to Mr Bass? but that?s just my theory and not based on fact.

[Fab]

Hi Guys!!!!

I have mine about 400-450mm long.... Too long around structure allows Mr Bass (as Rob calls 'em) to wrap you and normally he wins.... Bass and bark normally triumph over graphite and line!!!! But I must admit I fish it a bit longer out in the open like VX, but, not as much as 4'..... 3'max....

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[Ninja]

Thanks Guys, make sence. Will start to apply it, so much to learn but fortunately so much experience to tap from, thanks again

[pomerob]

Norkie everyone has a different style of retrieve, (tip up, tip down, pullss, jerks, steady, stop start and so on) therefore giving different actions to your lure. The best is to try a couple of different lenghts in the swimming pool and choose what works best for you. Also see the difference between the deep end and the shallow end.

Pesonally when I am fishing shallows or with a floating plastic like a snapback I will only use a leader of 5-8cm, to me this gives the best action at that angle. When I go deeper 6ft+ I use a longer leader of approx 30- 40cm. Dont worry about the fish seeing the bead and weight this makes noise and attracts the fish, my theory is it makes your lure look like its after something making it better looking to the fish.

Use it don't use it, thats my 2cents worth.

[robdog]

Do you mean like a dropper in fly fishing Rob?

[pomerob]

I suppose the bead and weight could be like a dropper, but I wouldnt expect mr bass to pick it up, just get their attention and the lure should do the rest. What would you eat the crumb or the custard slice???? :lol: