While preparing my fishing tackle for an early morning surf fishing trip. It got me thinking about the difference between a shock leader and a regular leader. As a newbie to Surf fishing, this can still seem like a confusing description of the differences.
So, I did some researched to understand the difference between these two, and this is what I found. So, what is the difference between a shock leader and a regular leader?
A shock leader is tied up directly to your main fishing line and wrapped around the spool at least 5 to 6 times. A regular leader is about 2 to 6 feet fluoro or monoline tied up on a swivel on one end, and your hook is tied up on the other end. The main fishing line is tied up on the other end of the swivel.
Below, I try to elaborate more on the difference between shock leader and a regular leader lines and try to create more clarity in terms of which are best to use for you.
Shock Leader VS Regular Leader
Leader lines
, you will find with a bit of practice and experience, can make your fishing experience more rewarding and fruitful.
If you are not familiar with the underlying objective of using a leader or shock leader, then the difference between them and the ability to choose the right one can seem complicated. Rest assured that it’s not nearly as complicated as you think.
As above, I mentioned that a shock leader is a mono or fluorocarbon line attached directly to your main fishing line and wrapped around the main spool. Lures and rigs are attached to this piece of the line instead of the main fishing line.
A regular leader line is quite similar, in that it is a piece of a fluorocarbon that is attached to the main fishing line with a swivel. Rigs and lures are also connected to this piece of fishing line.
The difference between these two leaders is the length and how they’re tied up to the main fishing line.
Now that we discuss the difference between a shock leader and a regular leader let’s take a closer look at the shock leader specifically, and what its intended purpose is.
What Is The Purpose Of Shock Leader And Why You Should Use It?
The intended purpose of a shock leader is to provide stress/strain relief on the mainline and to protect against certain types of breakages. With a shock leader, a surf angler can cast further and more accurately without worrying about breaking or damaging the line.
How to determine the right length and size of a shock leader?
The general rule of shock leader length is, it has to be twice the length of your surf rod. So you could able to wrap it around in the reel spool about 5 to 6 times, and also ensure for it to work its purpose effectively.
On the size, I learned that the rule of thumb is 10 lbs for every oz weight. So a 3oz sinker would require 30lbs of shock leader.
Why is the shock leader attached to the mainline the way it is and does this help it to serve its purpose better?
The reason why shock leader is tied-up directly to the mainline wrapped around the spool a few times is to protect the knot from any stress and absorb the load from casting.
A shock leader is a length of the heavy fishing line designed to absorb the weight and pressure of the sinker from the main thinner line. Its placement provides added strength.
What is the best knot to attach the shock leader to your main fishing line?
When attaching your shock leader, it must be done correctly to provide the intended benefits. There are many knots you can choose from, but the most popular knot that I found to tie a shock leader to your main fishing line is a double uni knot.
While many online articles are featuring the “best shock leader knots,” most surf fishermen find which knot works best for them, through trial and error.
Now that you know what a shock leader is. Let’s find what a regular leader is. Read on.
Regular Leader
In comparison, a regular leader is not all that different from a shock leader – it’s just not as strong and “powerful.” Regular leader lines are used to help minimize the load on the line.
And they can also stop fish from noticing the actual main fishing line, which is great if you fish from a spot where catches are slim pickings.
When it comes to surf fishing, casting heavy loads and lures can be made easier with a leader. The leader also reduces the risk of losing your mainline as a result of predators biting through it.
Friction can also cause a line to break, and the leader helps to minimize this. When you use a leader, you can expect your fishing line to enjoy a bit of extra stretch or flexibility.
Why You Should Use A Leader For Surf Fishing
When a surf angler uses an energetic casting technique, a heavy load can be exerted on both the surf fishing rod and the line.
By using a leader, you can reduce the risk of unexpected casting accidents and mishaps (sometimes the load can behave unexpectedly and result in injury to other beachgoers.
Another benefit of using a leader line is, when you are landing a big fish, you can grab the leader without worrying about getting braid cut.
How Long Should A Leader Be?
You might wonder how the shock leader and regular leader lines compare in terms of line length. First of all, a regular leader is not nearly as long as a typical shock leader.
Regular leaders usually range between 2 to 6 feet, depending on what you’re up to and your style of fishing.
Some people prefer a long leader; I preferred 3-5 feet fluorocarbon line. I found that this length of leader suits my fishing style.
That being said, there is no fixed length that a regular leader has to be — work according to what feels right for you.
Which Type of Leader Material Should I Use for Shock Leader and Regular Leader Lines?
Type of leader material you use for your shock leader and regular leader will determine how effective the leaders are in improving your surf fishing experience.
Let’s take a look below what is the best leader material options for each type of leader.
When it comes to a regular leader, I have personally really enjoyed working with the fluorocarbon line. It just my personal preference – I know that other anglers have their favorites too.
The reason I like the fluorocarbon line for a regular leader is not that it’s virtually invisible in the water, which is a great perk, but that it’s a high-performance line. The line appears to be much more abrasion resistant than other lines.
It’s also stiffer to work with which is excellent and doesn’t get nearly as many nicks as quickly as other line types tend to. Probably the strangest benefit for me to mention is that Fluorocarbon line is waterproof.
It’s not that bizarre to mention when you consider that a trendy line used for regular leaders. Monofilament line is actively absorbing water the entire time it is in the surf.
It contributes to the line breaking off now and then. The fluorocarbon line costs a bit more, but it is worth it, in my opinion.
For shock leaders, the line can be heavier or thinner than your existing line, depending on the type of fishing you want to do. You can use a mono or a fluorocarbon line quite effectively as a shock leader.
Is a Shock Leader Necessary for Surf Fishing, or Can a Regular Leader Work Just as Well?
When it comes to basic surf fishing equipment, many anglers wonder if a shock leader is necessary. While a regular leader can work in certain conditions, a shock leader is generally recommended for casting heavy weights and lures in surf fishing. It helps prevent line breakage and ensures a successful catch.
Types of Leader For Surf Fishing
Choosing a line leader can depend on the person who is using it. Some would prefer that it has better flexibility others look for leaders that can absorb shock and protect their line from snapping.
Below are types of leaders you can choose from:
Monofilament – It works well on any fishing scenario. It is the cheapest one and the easiest one to work with. That is perfect for catching small fish and fishes with less sharp teeth.
Fluorocarbon – same as the mono it is a single strand fishing line but, it offers low visibility in the water. To a human eye, this line is nearly invisible, but it is another story for fish. One thing is for sure, the clearer the water, the better the fluorocarbon line works.
Steel – Some fish have sharp teeth that can cut through your fluorocarbon or mono leaders easily. If the fish you are pursuing contains sharp teeth, then consider using a steel leader to prevent you from being cut off.
Hybrids – Leader lines under this category is a combination of some or all the previously mentioned lines. This combination is done to provide the angler an alternative that combines the best of the lines into one.
Summary
The main difference between a shock leader and a leader line is the length of the line used and where it is attached to the mainline. The shock leader line provides more resistance and strength to the line than a regular leader line does. Both of these leaders can enhance the fishing experience for the surf fisher.
