Fishing Leaders Explained: How and why to use a leader

Fishing Leaders explained. What are leaders and how and why to use a leader. In most fishing situations, it is a good idea to use leaders for fishing lines. Even if you do not need a leader to prevent fish from biting through your main line or for better visibility, using a leader will mean you will not be cutting line off your spool each time you change you hook or lure.
In this fishing tutorial, full time fishing guide Capt. Chris Myers will explain different types of fishing leaders and when to use them.
0:00 Introduction
0:33 What is a fishing leader?
0:59 What are leaders made out of?
2:24 Why do we use a fishing leader?
5:01 Using a leader to save your main line
6:30 Wire leaders
7:47 Knots for tying on leaders
8:38 Attaching leaders with swivels
10:11 Leader line vs fishing line
11:41 How long should a fishing leader be?
This is the mono leader I use for light tackle saltwater fishing
20lb (redfish,trout,drum) - amzn.to/39enkVJ
30lb 9small snook and taropon)- amzn.to/36bukR9
40lb (medium snook and tarpon) - amzn.to/2MlVm1i
#learntofish #howtofish
Capt. Chris Myers offers saltwater light tackle and fly fishing charters one hour from Orlando and Disney. www.flatsfishingtrips.com
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[@warrengriffin7126]

That was one of the best tutorials I've seen on KZbin. Concise, full of info, and presented well. I learned exactly what I searched for by this. Thanks!

[@glendacrouch1877]

I have watched many leader videos. Yours is by far the most definitely best explanation of any! Best & easiest to understand for the novices out there. I am going to share this with many! Thank you so much for bringing this video to an easy understanding!

[@CaptChrisMyers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DubaiVentureTV]

Great content captain! Got all my questions answered. I love FG knot into my braided to a leader line. Thanks 🙏

[@lone5ranger]

Well done Capt. Answered a lot of my questions!

[@CaptChrisMyers]

Thanks

[@michaelreed7819]

Very clear and to the point. I learned a lot.

[@constantinec9957]

Great explanation. Thanks Captain!

[@michaelscott7890]

Thank you, sir! Great detailed info. I may subscribe.

[@secretamericayoutubechanne2961]

The more you get into fishing the more complicated it gets. Im targetting snook in the Jupiter canals bridges at 5 pm Dec. 10 2023, but . . . ITS HARD

[@errolflyne4630]

very good video. i do the way just as you explained. good for me master.

[@timothyturner9134]

Never in my life have I used a leader and I’ve never had any issues that I know of … guess it’s time to try it out and see if I improve

[@4492573]

Hey Capt. I like using the FG knot with a leader over 3 feet. Under 3 feet. The improved Albright knot. My friend uses a double uni and nothing else. Thank you for the video. The leader is most important, people get confused about what #test for main line. Most cases , 10# is enough like you have said. The leader is what I focus on. Cheers Capt.

[@CaptChrisMyers]

Have you ever had the FG come unraveled? I have tried it several times with several finish "locks" but most times it comes apart

[@andymetternich3428]

You may not like this idea, but because 1, braid is expensive and 2, I don't like my leader knots rattling/ banging through/against my guides/tip top(because it will eventually weaken any knot,causing a failure), I connect the line/leader with a. figure 8 loop to loop connection. I used to do a lot of Carolina rig/live bait fishing, so I can comfortably and accurately cast even a 4 foot leader from a 6 foot spinning rod with the leader outside of the tip top. I used this method to change to different leaders as different fishing situations dictate. Sometimes if I feel like it, I connect with a double Uni knot, but ALWAYS the leader stays outside the guides, if I can help it.

[@Mendozer7502]

For My main braid line I tie a Berkley knot to my swivel. Then a double pitzen knot with my flourcarbon line from my swivel to another double pitzen to my snap.

[@kittenslapper]

FC with an FG knot. Takes longer but after the 1000th tie it’s easy with a bobbin. 28” through the eyes smooth. I also end the day with about 8” left.

[@CaptChrisMyers]

I have tried several different ways of tying and finishing the FG and know others who use it but it has always been very inconsistent and eventually comes apart when I try it. It is definitely the smallest. I just wish it would not come unraveled when i tie it.

[@MisterMahseer]

Can you use Flurocarbon as a mainline, and use the same line as a leader (connecting them with a swivel)?

[@CaptChrisMyers]

There is fluorocarbon fishing line which is very similar to monofilament. You can use this instead of braid or mono. You can also use the fluoro fishing line as leader material but it is generally not as stiff and abrasion resistant as the product sold as leader. If you do not need a heavier piece of leader than your main line, there is no need for a swivel. Unless you are using a lure than spins and twists your line, I would eliminate the swivel and tie the leader line to line like this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGqbm6CkgrV_erM

[@MisterMahseer]

@@CaptChrisMyers Appreciate the advice, Thank you !!

[@guyb7005]

Sorry - I don't get it, I'd rather cut a little of my main line and preserve a stronger leader, esp. if the leader already has a hook or lure on it ($$). Then if the leader gets nicked on branches, rocks, clams, anything it would be tough enough to last so I don't lose my lure. I use metal leaders with swivel clip for the convenience of quick lure swapping instead of pulling out scissors and cutting and tying knots all day. What I sacrifice on visibilty doesn't affect the bites as much as the next guy and I save on losing lures. That's just me.

[@andymetternich3428]

What species do you fish for?

[@glendacrouch1877]

It would definitely depend on the fish & their teeth. Stong leader or lighter leader.

[@cshouse316]

Double Albright

[@CaptChrisMyers]

I have used that knot many times to tie my mono leader onto my wire or cable but never used it for braid to leader.