|
|
| 6 ARNOLD ROAD, COVENTRY, RHODE ISLAND 02816 |
|
|
|
|
Strategies
for Fly/Light Tackle Fishing by Capt. Jim White |
|
|
Strategies is a column by
RISAA member, Capt. Jim White, a fly-fishing/light tackle specialist
who operates "White Ghost Guide Service" and fishes Narragansett Bay.
Jim is an endorsed professional of Ranger Boats and Evinrude Outboards,
and a professional outdoor writer/photographer who's work has appeared
in The Fisherman magazine and many national publications.
|
| Shock Leaders |
| When fishing light tackle the use of a "shock leader" can make
the difference between landing a good one or loosing the fish of a lifetime
besides a lot of tackle. They prevent lures from snapping off and it
gives the angler something to grab when attempting to land or boat a fish. A shock leader is nothing more than a length of stronger line tied to the casting main line to assure against breakage and to prevent wear and tear where your line is usually stressed and worn the most - inside the guides. Each time you reel in to make another cast your line usually winds up in the same position inside the guides of the rod. Most fishermen pay little or no attention to this, but each cast you make causes friction from the guides and wears on the line. This constant casting will eventually cause a weak spot in the line unless you take the time to cut back on that portion which is always being worn. When the fish are hitting really well and the bite is hot, this is one thing no one wants to take time out to do or the check. When you switch from a light lure to a heavier one it becomes easy to snap it off on the first or second cast. We can all, no doubt, recall this event happening more often than we'd like to admit. At today's lure prices, you're looking at 10 to 15 bucks flying freely into the ocean or bay. You can eliminate a lot of these problems by simply attaching a shock leader to your line. Use a leader that is at least two or three times the strength of the line on your spool. For example: 30-pound test to 15-pound test or 30-pound test to 10-pound test. When your lure is ready to cast, the line should be long enough so that it wraps on the spool at least twice. This will allow a smoother cast. Attach the two lines together by using a blood knot, a nail knot or a surgeons knot. All these knots are good and have a very low failure rate. You can also place a Bimini Twist between the two so your line has some extra cushion when a good fish is hooked. It is a lot easier and safer to grab a leader of 20, 30 or 40-pound test mono that is to grab 8, 10 or 12 pound test. Having a long leader also guards against loosing a big fish if it should turn sideways to your line or rolls on it. This is a common problem in shallow water when a big fish is hooked. I've seen 20 to 30 pound stripers roll on the main line or even the 20-pound leader and break it like store string. The gill plates and spines of stripers are very sharp and so are their scales which is like sandpaper. Using a shock leader is one technique that can help you put more fish in the boat or on the beach. especially when using light tackle or fly gear. This also applies to fly-fishing as well. If you intend on landing a good size striper on fly tackle and you are using 10, 12 or 15 pound test tippets, with nothing else in-between, you are gonna loose an awful lot of good size fish on a fairly regular basis. |
|
|
Back To Strategies
INDEX
|
|