ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT LEADER? (I bet NOT) Tackle Tips Ep.4

[@Spraymo1]

Great suggestion on split rings. I’ve actually had a clip fail while a fish thrashing in the net. At that point I never really trusted them but this is the perfect resolution. Thank you!

[@rickie2sticky66]

HOLY F***!!! LOL got like $8K of lures just visible in the background!!!

[@inferno715]

Shorter leader for a wider figure 8 is a pretty good tip. 6” seems a little too short to me, but I’ll probably set a few up shorter than what I’m using now. I’ve had too many lures eaten head first, I want that leader at least as long as the bait in case it folds over in their mouth.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

inferno715 that’s not a bad idea either hope it helps you out!

[@kava8902]

I've never had a bucktail eaten head first

[@Hellotoanewday]

I like the split ring idea. Nice job.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Phil Hoeppner never going back to snaps. Thanks for watching!

[@kurtriedmuller8223]

Thanks Doug I'm new to this game big help happy new year!!

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Kurt Riedmuller hope you have a great 2020 filled with musky experience!

[@mark-pg4mm]

Doug, what line do you use for musky? Brand and Lb. Thanks

[@TuffEsox]

As you state, it's a matter of personal experience & preference. I have used literally the exact opposite leader set-ups in a couple situations for seemingly similar reasons outlined in the vid. But, I have continually been switching little things up here and there every season in the never-ending pursuit to achieve maximum performance. You have provided some excellent tips! I will definitely be trying some of these out in 2020. Great stuff! Can't wait for open water!

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Bob Parteka thanks for watching Bob looking toward to coming to speak this winter.

[@timlong1462]

Just an anecdote on the 6" leader ideas, I just caught a 45" on a mini medusa and it ate head first and it was practically in its stomach. If my leader was anything less than 9" it would've been into the braid. I was using 90lb 1x7 wire which you didn't really cover, but I've liked it a lot so far. Also had really good luck with the staylock snaps over the years. I think the key is changing them after a month or so of fishing. I make my own leaders so it's easy and cheap.

[@kava8902]

He said use 12" fluorocarbon leader for baits like medusa. He said 6" for bucktails and smaller topwater.

[@FishcastAngling]

Good tips! I agree 100 percent about avoiding snaps, way too much potential for them to open up or break. However, if a person wants something like a snap for changing lures another alternative is the tactical angler brand power clips. I have used the power clips a bunch and would highly recommend them. Something I do that’s a bit different than most, instead of a short leader I usually use like 6’ long 100 lb p-line cxx leaders that I fg knot to my braid. When tied right the knot slips through the guides no problem and a person can figure 8 with any length leader they reel it to. With the long leader it’s also much easier on the fish if they gator roll in the line when it’s a long thick leader as compared to a short leader to the braid where they end up rolling in the braid.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Fishcast Angling great advice. I have friends who tie 5-6’ leaders like you are talking about they love them as well. Thanks for watching!

[@roryshannon6488]

Very well explained. I’m new to this. I have been fishing Green Bay and have yet to catch a musky. I have a lot to learn and your videos are very helpful. Thanks Doug. I saw you last week under the I43 bridge on the fox.

[@coryfrandy3613]

Thanks for the great advice Doug !! I’m changing up . 👍

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Cory Frandy sounds like a great 2020 resolution lol

[@Cheeze24]

We started seeing a lot more fish when we switched to fluorocarbon leaders and split ring on suicks, the action looks much better.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Lib Tech I agree they look 10x better with a split ring on them.

[@GregK9]

Interesting. But what's making the difference the fluro or the split ring?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Split ring

[@GregK9]

@@dougwegnerfishing - yeppers! I'll stick with wire for Suicks but will add the split ring. My theory on leaders, if you can cut through it with a knife, a musky can cut through it with her teeth.

[@IRieAsAVirus37]

So are there any I guess Barrel swivels in the leader connections just wondering how it would affect the spinning of a bait like a Bucktail or something,if I'm relaying that "Right"?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Yes there is a swivel on each leader they will not twist up.

[@gmanking86]

Any cons to a split ring on the leader and using the bait the way it comes?

[@MFcomm66]

Great explanation of leader material and use.

[@Charactermatters650]

What about a stronger Tactical Anglers clip? We use them in the salt in New England for the big stripers - Have had some good battles and no fails. Have you tried these?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Haven't tried them.

[@DewBoating]

What size barrel swivel are you using? Type, brand, strength? Also what size rings?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Split rings are #7s barrel swivels are #6 I think.

[@OutofluckpikerMJK]

Its very interesting as a Scandinavian pike fisherman seing you guys using so short leaders.. I run mine at around 18", and most suggest a leader of 22" and up, weather fluorocarbon or titanium/steel wire. I dont like using so long leaders so use around 18-19" in both Berkeley Steelon and Trilene fluorocarbon. Never had a problem, with either snap or leader. The thougt about using long leaders is that if the pike rolls it will surely end up in the pikes mouth sooner or later, and guys have had this problem happening and thus reccomend longer leaders. I know of some on the tube, sponsored guys, running a fluorocarbon leader as long as his rod, with a nice tiny knot on to the braided line. He just cuts a bit after some fish and fish on. Interesting seing you use stiff leaders too, that is not used over here. It is available as jerk leaders, made of pianowire, i have some, and sometimes use them when im only about to throw glidebaits which is called Jerkbaits over here ;) Yeah, i know, really dumb but yeah, i try to not use the term jerkbait as they are glidebaits but yeah, you do jerk them as a bass/perch jerkbait which is also called jerkbait over here, even more confusing as now you have to know what fish the guy is targeting, to know what bait he uses! 😅😅😅 Prefer Berkeley steelon 45lb on everything i jerk/twitch and use fluorocarbon on everything else, sometimes even flurocarbon on those baits i work, i do notice a difference in the "pop" you get, but not a game changing difference.

[@JamesLDurham]

I’ve straightened split rings on a fish, so obviously it wasn’t strong enough. So where do you get your split rings?

[@kz3048]

Doug, Great video... Is there a disadvantage of having a split ring on your leader and connecting that split ring directly to the lure? So basically ditching the solid ring on the leader..

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Yes the diameter of a wire leader is much smaller than a welded ring there for a possibility of the thin wire working out of the split ring.

[@sgangling]

Thanks for the info. Such an important topic.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

SG Angling super important!

[@Fingolfin3423]

Good video. I try to avoid wire leaders since they bend and ruin themselves a lot faster, which leads to further pissing money away on them. Doug's right, though, in that they do serve a purpose with certain applications. I've had great success with fluorocarbon. With regards to using split rings and not snaps, that's a hard habit to change due to the ease of using snaps. If you only have one rod, or just a couple, you find yourself changing baits more often, making snaps a lot more handy than split rings. Oh well. We've all heard stories of fish being lost on older weakened snaps, including Joe Bucher's story.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Fingolfin3423 thanks for watching!

[@dmouse522]

If you're brave..you can make your own with the DuBro tool. Much more reasonable. I've landed my largest with them...so far ;)

[@Ucannod]

A must watch

[@dougwegnerfishing]

appreciate that!

[@scottthayer3335]

Great video! Great info! Thanks.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Scott Thayer thanks man glad you liked it many more to come!

[@l_b-man]

How about Titanium leaders? I use them a lot and they never bend, they are very strong and light. If done well they will last hundreds of casts.. But only if done well..

[@dougwegnerfishing]

They are good but they don’t show any wear. They will break at some point without any kind of warning.

[@AndreasZachbauer]

Why do you use a swivel also for baits that do not rotate? Wouldn't it be much more low-key to have a steel ring on both sides of the leader?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Andreas Zachbauer the baits can rotate in the air when you cast. Just eliminates any change of line twists.

[@AndreasZachbauer]

@@dougwegnerfishing OK, I see. Thanks for the fast reply. What do you think about visibility of your leaders in relation to cautious muskies (do they even exist)? We in Austria use like 2m of thinner fluorocarbon (0,5mm) between the main line and the 0,9mm leader for pike fishing in clearwater lakes.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

I don’t think they are to line shy.

[@sawyerjames3243]

Can u buy those leaders you're talking about with the steel ring?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Sawyer James yes contact Gean from Leaders and lures serve them on google.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Search*

[@Mjohnson4477]

Does water clarity matter on your leader choices? For Walk the dog topwater I presume you use the short wire leader? You didn't really cover that one

[@dougwegnerfishing]

MarK Johnson no i don’t think they are leader shy at all. Also yes short 6” wire for WTD baits. Thanks for watching!

[@alexebben7554]

Doug, can I ask what length leaders you use for trolling green bay? Same length for fluoro and wire? Any input is appreciated. Hope to see you on the ice this winter if it ever gets cold enough!

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Alex Ebben 5’ 80# floro

[@whutzzzup]

nice tip Doug! thanks. i have a question. Does color matter? What did you find worked best so far. We're talking about the same bait. Cloudy days, sunny, night, stained and clear water. Also, you once said that you can use only the reel's handle to work a glider without working the tip(long rod hitting water). I tried but didnt figure out how..

[@dougwegnerfishing]

whutzzzup color matters 110% You May need a higher gear ratio reel like a Lexa 7.1 or 8.1 for the gliders.

[@whutzzzup]

@@dougwegnerfishing Im using the tranx 401hg. I'd like to hear your take on that(colors) :) I might not be the only one. Once again thank you for sharing the knowledge and passion. It is really appreciated and helpful. It's always nice and fun to watch your videos. Happy musky year to you and your love ones

[@dougwegnerfishing]

I can do that for ya always looking for new video ideas for you guys!

[@DannyDare134]

Hey Doug what weight split rings do you use

[@dougwegnerfishing]

To be honest I’m not sure. I use the Leaders and Lures #6 split rings for all my stuff. Bucher #6s have worked well for me also.

[@kenbrown5449]

How long will you use a Fluoro leader if there is no damage to it? I crimp #90 leaders for use on my more expensive swimbaits when I'm bass fishing where pike are present. I will usually make new ones each season. Thanks for another great Tackle Tip!

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Ken Brown no more than 30 days of fishing. If there is any kind of damage to the floro it gets changed immediately. Thanks for watching

[@grantd.5438]

Do you ever tie the braid directly to the Fluro? I normally use a modified FG with some knot sense to tie the Fluro right to the braid (mainly so I can reel the line through the top eyelet if I need to cast in a tight spot from the bank OR to make a bigger figure 8)....thoughts on this method? Big fan of the channel!

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Grant D. Have a few friends who do that and have 4-5’ floro leaders. Do what works for you. You can buy solid steel rings from Leaders and Lures to eliminate the snaps and split ring to that.

[@mnsportsman7005]

Instead of a steel ring on the end could you just use another split ring? If not does Thorne Bros sell those steel rings that you can use instead of snaps?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

mnsportsman 700 yes thorne does. Last time I was in the shop they were out but give them a call they will help you out. Otherwise contact Gene at leaders and lures 815-6540-902

[@mnsportsman7005]

Doug Wegner Fishing Ok thanks Doug.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

No problem thanks for watching!

[@veithr3293]

When running a 6 inch steel leader with a soild ring when do i want a quality ball bearing at the top vs not having one?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

All the leaders have a high quality swivel.

[@riverhound9649]

I'm getting rid of all my snaps...I've had so many break

[@dougwegnerfishing]

River Hound1985 good idea!

[@emsp8]

Honestly kind of shocked that you use fluorocarbon for pull/pause baits. I used to do that as well until I was fishing with a buddy and saw his fluorocarbon leader get shredded as a fish struck his suick on the pause. It was boat-side and the fish struck the bait headfirst and got the leader in its mouth. One small head shake and it was gone along with the bait. This along with personal experience and other stories that i’ve heard first hand is the reason that I use only steel on pull/pause baits. I’m sure it’s all about preference but personally for me better safe than sorry. And be out $20-$50 or even worse possibly killing a once-in-a-lifetime fish.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

emsp8 it’s crazy I’ve got a lot of feedback like this. Prior to this vid I had only known one friend who had a fish bite off floro. Might need to change my set up.

[@dmouse522]

Lost a Depth Raider on short fish with fluorocarbon this year. The end looked like it went through paper shredder. Made me scared; and since I have caught all my large fish on wire previously I have gone back to steel.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Sounds like I may be going to all steel!

[@benrollinh526]

You have split rings on all your baits, so why do you want a solid ring on your single strand wire leaders? Why not just connect the split ring to the wire and save the weight and extra joint?

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Ben Rollinh great question. The wire is so thin it could slide out of the split ring with the steel ring it’s diameter is much larger and you don’t have to worry about the wire finding it’s way out of the split ring.

[@benrollinh526]

@@dougwegnerfishing I see, that makes sense... never had it happen on my leaders; but I have thought about it, and change out rings with any signs of stretch or memory of opening. Maybe I'll give solid rings a try and see if it effects any of my baits. Thanks for clarifying.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

No problem thanks for watching!

[@georgevoll2727]

Do you use ball bearings swivels m

[@dougwegnerfishing]

George Voll sometimes depends on the bait.

[@skoalpatrol8115]

Buddy of mine started making his own leaders. Crimps didn't hold up on two fish in one day. 😒

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Skoal Patrol have it done professionally they won’t slip.

[@corkyvanderhaven3391]

Brilliant. Efficient. Bang oN 🌵🧀🎣

[@morrowoutdoors1336]

Can u tag the guy made you leader

[@jdean1851]

Great Tips for 2020" HNY from Idaho!

[@dougwegnerfishing]

J Dean hope it helps you in 2020!

[@muskybites505]

Single strand steel is the only leader that can’t be bit off, after watching giant muskies come up trying to shake a bull dawg they bit off on 130 yozuri flouro I gave up on it. Never had a single strand leader fail in over 400 fish. I make my own from AFW wire. I make a small loop at top I tie directly to with my mainline and a swivel/split ring to connect the lure. Seven Strand wire is garbage, don’t use it!! Their braided wire is good though lol. Sorry to chime in but I am endlessly frustrated by flouro leaders, you will lose fish on it, I promise.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Musky Bites great feedback crazy story.

[@jimmybobsteve3704]

I don't like flouro on rubber either.. Sometimes they just inhale it on the pause and it ends up deep.. Some of the worst hoked fish Ive seen have had nothing but leader hanging out of their mouth.. I think I'll try shortening my bucktail leaders next year though.. 95 percent of my bucktail fish seem to eat on the 8 and typically don't get hooked deep..

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Thanks for watching good luck in 2020

[@benrollinh526]

Agree 💯% with musky bites...I lost my biggest musky to date on rubber and a flouro leader. You'll never see me casting with flouro leader again. I make my own single strand leaders like musky bites and All baits have split rings like Doug.

[@dougwegnerfishing]

Love hearing the stories guys!

[@zoomzoomgt]

The amount of $$$$ on that wall is 👌

[@markhess6061]

Seems like a giant waste of time. Why not put one split rail on the end of 10 different leaders? Instead of 500 split rings on every lore you own

[@dougwegnerfishing]

You can but that split ring will wear out over a few days just have to remember to change it out.