Why You Should Use a Heavier Leader Line Catfishing

In today's video Chris Souders of Slunger Cat Outdoors talks about why he uses a heavier leader line than main line and gives you tips on why you should as well. Hope you enjoy and Thanks for Watching.
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[@mch.l.trecords9169]

I have been fishing for 25 years of my life and personally my minimum recommendation for a catfish setup is at least a 65 lb test braided main line and at least a 3 foot 30 lb test fluorocarbon leader line but if possible a 80 lb braided main line and a 3 foot 40 lb test fluorocarbon leader line is preferred.

[@larrysylvester4438]

I use 65 lb braid main 50lb mono leader

[@joebuck66]

Great information. Thanks for sharing.

[@chrissouders476]

Thank You and thanks for watching

[@alanwilliams3912]

Great thoughts and excellent delivery. Thank you!

[@chrissouders476]

Your very welcome. Thank You

[@garyrenfroe454]

Thanks Chris, good information

[@chrissouders476]

Your very welcome and thank you for watching

[@whiskerwhisper]

Awesome advise, Chris

[@chrissouders476]

Thanks Brother

[@danielbarnes6376]

I always look forward to the videos thank you for another one!

[@chrissouders476]

Thank You Daniel and your very welcome

[@PalmettoCats]

Great tip Chris.

[@chrissouders476]

Thank You Sir. Hope you have a wonderful day!!

[@jeffyoung2089]

Thanks Chris!

[@chrissouders476]

Your very welcome

[@nevadasmith8363]

love the vid. its good to know u pay attention to details.

[@chrissouders476]

Thank You Nevada Smith!! And always little things can add up quickly!! Thanks for watching

[@nevadasmith8363]

@@chrissouders476 your welcome

[@arkyhunter2750]

Good information 👍.

[@chrissouders476]

Thank You

[@hookedonbassncats]

Great explanations Chris. Think it's time for me to go to a heavy leader line just for the fact i don't have to replace my leader is often.

[@chrissouders476]

It definitely gives you peace of mind!!

[@sniper12589]

another great informative video. I used to run straight braid no leader when I was younger and just started fishing for flatheads. it was a sliding drop shot looking rig, basically a sinker slide a beed and then hook. then I tied off a sinker to about 12-16 inches of 25# line that I looped and attached to the sinker slide. when I would tighten up my lines after I casted it would suspend the bait right off the bottom and kept my bait from snagging in all the tree roots. I did that for the longest time until I lost a pretty nice flathead one night years ago. as I was reaching for him I noticed he was hooked deep and I was pulling his head up to me I literally watched the line not exactly break but just pulled apart nice and easy. I then started running heavier mono leader lines but the leaders would spin and tangle in the current with my bobber rigs and drop shot rigs. now the local river I fish up in north east Indiana isn't very large and casts are kept on the short side so these past 2 years I have settled on maxing out my line on my rods and am back into running both my styles of rigs without leaders and have had great success. I figure it is also 2 less knots to worry about having to tie as well. so far things have been working out great landing my fair share of flatheads with little to no problems with my gear

[@chrissouders476]

Confidence is key in anything you use no matter what it is. And if it’s working for yeah keep it up 👍. Thanks for watching

[@billyorton1452]

What size circle hooks do you use and what type of rig do you use. Thanks

[@glenbarham797]

Good video. I still use the same size leader as main line but have been thinking about changing. Years ago when I bank fished below dams a lot I would use lighter sinker drop line and would bring in good fish after breaking the sinker off in the rocks. It was a lot of fun catching big fish on 15' polls in current but I am too lazy to walk the rocks to do it now days.

[@chrissouders476]

Haha me to buddy!! And yeah I use a lighter sinker line as well. Helps if you get snagged.

[@clarkcartwright2543]

Thanks for the video I’ve been using braided trott line for me leader in dark green color just for the same reason you says plus there small jaw teeth rub regular line into and I don’t lose fish and bull crap on there line shy .

[@chrissouders476]

Awesome way to solve a problem!! Great advice

[@jbreawilliams4507]

Quick question one of my rods take 14 lb mono or 30lb braid and other rod takes 15-30 lb should I be using braid from the bank to get more on the Spool grew up using mono thanks

[@charlesmoore9118]

I agree 100%. I saw many cats roll at the bank and the side fin snap the line. Heavy mono kept this from happening as often. I still wanted to loose only the hook on a snag so I put a fuse in the leader, % knot strength is the answer. All you have to do is know where the weakest point in the rig is and make it not the main line. I use a knot on the leader that makes the heavy line break just below the main line strength. This way you can break off from a snag without loosing main like yet get the abrasion resistance. Give it a try, you need to balance drag, main line strength, leader strength and knot weakness. I finally found a use for a knot with 50% strength!

[@chrissouders476]

Hmmm interesting never thought about that. May give it a try!! Thanks for watching

[@primal_inc]

could you make a video explianing what makes catfish more active ? does moon phase,barometric pressure play a role and why?

[@chrissouders476]

Absolutely!! Great question 👍

[@rubenroyer9488]

When it comes to fish cover, I had an old river rat once tell me "If you ain't snagging, you aint bragging".

[@chrissouders476]

Haha that’s a good one there and the truth!!!

[@2StansFishing]

I'm on the heavier leader side of the debate also for the very reasons u outlined! Awesome job detailing the pros of using heavier leader. I fish the James River in VA n I currently use 40# Solar collector Big Game main line n 50# Clear Big Game leader.

[@chrissouders476]

That’s some good line your using. Thanks for watching

[@BoandBeceadventures]

I use 35# gorilla braid main line and about 20 yards of 50# mono top shot. Sometimes I get hung in a snag and will break off but the funny thing is my line never breaks at the braid/mono connection. It always breaks off at the hook.

[@chrissouders476]

That must be the weakest spot/knot. Thanks for watching and sharing

[@UncleHarley]

Good video bud!

[@chrissouders476]

Thank you Sir!

[@grdray2138]

Awesome video and information. Those sandpaper type teeth on a cat are terrible on line. Thanks for the info, God bless Chris.

[@chrissouders476]

Your very welcome and thanks for watching. God bless you as well

[@larryoliver9915]

is there certian way to tie a 3 way on your line

[@EasyLifeOutdoors]

Great video! Is catfish crazy season 1 complete or just took a week off? Love the show!

[@chrissouders476]

Thanks for the support and season on is in the books and we are getting ready to start filming season two next week.

[@rkbeck351]

Hey Chris, love your videos keep'em coming!! Have you ever considered using AFW wire for your leaders? I have been using the AFW Surflon 60# nylon coated leader wire for years with great success. It's flexible and super, super abrasion resistant. You don't have to worry about your leader getting chaffed from structure or from the catfish's fins or rough teeth. Yes it's a little more expensive, but we'll worth the peace of mind knowing your leader isn't going to break off on a monster cat.

[@chrissouders476]

Hmmm never herd of that!! May have to look it up. Thanks for the information!! And thanks for watching

[@rkbeck351]

@@chrissouders476 if you can send me an address I'll send you some that I make for you to try out!

[@aqua.scape69]

Do you have a link to the product your using? Thanks

[@earniederboven5100]

Dang u got enough rods behind you... Great video and info thanks

[@chrissouders476]

Haha 😂 noooooo!!!! Lol Thanks for watching

[@collinthomas8823]

Is there anywhere you recommend to go out with on a guided trip would be two guys

[@chrissouders476]

What part of the country?

[@collinthomas8823]

@@chrissouders476 4 or 5 hours from indiana if it's a good place we are willing to travel I'm down from fatboydans neck of the woods

[@chrissouders476]

You got a couple different options show me Catfishing in ST Louis, River city cats, Hooked on Cats all are good and id recommend them all.

[@robbiesmith9786]

What about steel leader I use them in ohio some times because u never know what your goin to hook I thank them fish in sky lake are line shy lol I hate pay lakes tho

[@chrissouders476]

I don’t use steel leader because of how hard it is on the fish if they swallow the bait. I just use a heavier leader line and that normally does the trick. Thanks for watching

[@glennmeadows6892]

For the longest time all i ran was just main line till i watched you,cat fish dave,an justin kayak catfishing the success rate on my catches went thru the roof and the frustration disappeared lol

[@jeffmorris8768]

Glenn,Kayak catfish,and Dave,actually use a smaller diameter,for their leader.

[@williamcook8644]

IAM with you they can have hole rig which you no sometimes might have 10 rig but when that big one bites you never know when it is that fish life time

[@chrissouders476]

That’s right!!

[@lencarter4637]

@chrissouders Sir what are the advantages of using no roll sinkers over bank sinkers? I have bought a few no rolls and have found that my baits are being stolen and I don't even see my rod tip move or hear my bait clicker. Help!!!!

[@chrissouders476]

Hmm this is interesting! What kind of bait are you using? How stiff are your rods? And last give me some details on where you fishing?

[@lencarter4637]

@chrissouders Sir I am fishing just in 17ft. Of water to 6ft of water just beyond a perch bed. There's a lot of grass or weeds in the water but not getting any cats to bite. I saw a few turtles in shallow and there was fish jumping but nothing was biting the perch. I am just learning to try cut bait and had a filleted perch side on and still nothing. My rods are medium heavy and heavy action.

[@lencarter4637]

@chrissouders I'm trying to go to different spots but it is difficult because of the traffic of people on the Lake.

[@lencarter4637]

@chrissouders I'm trying to learn how to tie the different knots and rings but haven't quite got them down yet. I'm going to get some 3 way swivels to get the baits and things more or further apart from each other.

[@lencarter4637]

@chrissouders what do you think Sir?

[@zachwalls461]

Bnm silver cats Abu 7k and 65. Cast king mono 100lb leader and 100lb hi vis rip cord braided. Over kill here

[@chrissouders476]

That’s a good set up for sure!!!

[@gradyvago5426]

LOL....Yep, 65 pound braid with 80 pound mono leader, about sunk my 14' boat trying to break off a snag. Be careful if you try that from a boat.

[@tuttle3631]

I use a smaller leader in case I snag up. It's easier to break 40lb. mono than 80lb. braid. I understand why one would want a stronger leader it's just not for me

[@chrissouders476]

Completely understand and it’s truly what you have confidence in that matters!! Thanks for watching

[@tuttle3631]

Love your videos. Keep em coming.

[@chrissouders476]

Thank you will do

[@samkrochmal1322]

How much heavier is your leader line than the main line?

[@williamcook8644]

Who the hell gave the one dislike crazy

[@chrissouders476]

Haha 😂

[@bajadan2769]

A catfish

[@bubbz0687]

Is there anything this man can't teach you about fishing for cats? 🤣 or get you the info you need?

[@jeffmorris8768]

I have done that for year,s.I use 85 pound kastking braid,with a hundred and 30 pound meat caster braid for my leader.i told kayak catfish one time why he used a smaller test leader and he told me it was a shock leader.I said i understood why he called it a shock leader.I said when and if the day come,s you hook a hundred pound plus fish and it break,s you off,you will go into shock.I beleive he might have changed it since then.Catfish could care less about the size of your leader.

[@chrissouders476]

Yeah there are times when I’ll forget to grab my smaller leader line and go channel catfishing and do just fine with the 80lb I normally use.