Pan Fishing: Leader Needed?

A leader line is a short length of fishing line that attaches the main line to your hook or lure. It is the part of the line that goes into the water and comes closest to the fish. Leader lines are typically made from monofilament or fluorocarbon fishing lines, with each type of line offering its own advantages and disadvantages. Monofilament lines are flexible, cheap, and have excellent knot strength, while fluorocarbon lines are denser, have low visibility underwater, and are more resistant to abrasion.

The main purpose of a leader line is to protect the main line from damage and breaking. Leader lines can also improve bait presentation, making it more likely for fishers to get bites. Leader lines are recommended for most types of fishing due to the benefits they provide.

Why a leader is important for pan fishing

A leader line is an essential part of pan fishing, and there are several reasons why anglers should use one.

Firstly, leader lines are important for protecting the main fishing line from damage and breaking. They act as a safety net, providing assurance that the fishing line will be safeguarded from harm underwater. This is particularly important when fishing in waters with sharp-edged rocks, reefs, and stones, as well as when fishing for species with sharp teeth, such as pike and barracuda.

Secondly, leader lines improve casting distance and accuracy. They add extra weight to the end of the line, enabling anglers to cast farther and with more precision.

Thirdly, leaders help to prevent line tangles. When using lures or baits that are likely to spin during retrieval, a leader keeps the line from twisting around itself.

Additionally, leaders are beneficial for reducing line visibility. Fluorocarbon leaders, for instance, are nearly invisible underwater, making them ideal for fishing in clear waters or around cautious fish.

Furthermore, leaders can protect baits or lures from being damaged by fish. They can also act as shock absorbers, helping to land larger fish that may be stronger than the mainline can handle.

Finally, leaders can save anglers money in the long run. By using a long enough leader, anglers can get through multiple reties without having to cut and lose a significant amount of the mainline.

In summary, leader lines are crucial for pan fishing as they provide protection, improve casting, prevent tangles, reduce visibility, safeguard baits, and save costs.

The benefits of using a leader when pan fishing

A leader line is a short length of sturdy fishing line attached to the end of the main line before the hook. It is the part of the line that goes into the water and comes closest to the fish. Leader lines are typically made of monofilament, fluorocarbon, or wire and come in various lengths and strengths. Here are some benefits of using a leader when pan fishing:

Prevent Line Breakage

Leader lines provide protection to your main fishing line and help prevent breakage. When fishing, your line is exposed to various risks such as sharp-toothed fish, rocks, stones, and reefs with sharp edges. A leader made of strong and abrasion-resistant material, such as fluorocarbon or monofilament, adds an extra layer of protection and reduces the risk of line breakage.

Reduce Line Visibility

Leader lines can also help reduce the visibility of your main line to the fish. Fluorocarbon leaders, in particular, are nearly invisible underwater, making them ideal for clear water or cautious fish. By using a leader, you increase the chances of getting more bites, as some fish are more likely to inspect the bait carefully before attacking.

Improve Casting Distance and Accuracy

The added weight of a leader can improve your casting distance and accuracy, especially when using a light line. This is beneficial when you need to cast your line long distances or with greater precision.

Protect Your Bait or Lure

Leaders can also help protect your bait or lure from being damaged by the fish. If you're using soft or delicate bait, a leader can provide extra protection and ensure it doesn't get torn apart by the fish.

Prevent Line Twists

When a fish is hooked, its movements can cause your line to twist. Leader lines, especially when attached to a swivel, can help prevent line twists by allowing the leader to rotate freely without twisting your main line. This maintains the smoothness of your line and improves its castability.

What type of leader to use for pan fishing

When pan fishing, the type of leader you use will depend on the type of fishing line you have and the conditions you are fishing in.

If you are using a braided line, it is recommended to use a leader to reduce visibility to the fish. Fluorocarbon leaders are good for this as they are nearly invisible underwater. Fluorocarbon leaders are also stronger and more abrasion-resistant than monofilament leaders, so they are a good choice if you are fishing in an area with rocks, reefs or other structures that could snag your line.

If you are fishing in an area with lots of rocks, reefs, or other structures that could cause your line to break, a monofilament leader is a good option as it is abrasion-resistant and has excellent knot strength. Monofilament leaders are also cheaper and easier to find than fluorocarbon leaders.

If you are fishing for pan fish with sharp teeth, such as pike or pickerel, a wire leader made from steel or titanium will provide extra protection for your line.

The length of your leader will also depend on the conditions you are fishing in. In general, the clearer the water, the longer the leader should be. Longer leaders are also better if you are using live bait or fishing in still or clear water. Shorter leaders are better if you are fishing in water with poor visibility or if you need to increase the movement of your lure, fly or bait.

When attaching a leader to your fishing line, you can use a swivel to minimise line twist, or you can join the leader and the line together with a knot such as an albright knot or a double uni knot.

How to tie a leader for pan fishing

A fishing leader is a short strand of tough fishing line that is placed between the main line on the reel and the hook or lure. It is usually stronger and less visible than the main line.

Step 1: Determine your leader length

There is no right or wrong length for a fishing leader. For fishing with artificial lures, a shorter leader of around 24 inches is recommended, as you do not want the knot to go through your rod guides. For live bait fishing, you can increase the leader length to 30-48 inches.

Step 2: Tie the leader with the main line

To connect the leader line with the main line, you will need to tie an overhand knot. First, create a loop and push the working end of the leader line through the loop with your thumb. Ensure the loop is wide enough for the end of the mainline to come through the knot. Bring about 7.9 inches of the mainline through the overhand knot, then wrap the loose end of the mainline around the leader about 6 times and put the loose end through the loop. Pull on the mainline behind the overhand knot to secure the connection.

Step 3: Tie the lure or hook to the leader

To tie the lure or hook to the leader, you can use a loop knot or a snug knot. A loop knot is recommended as it allows the bait to have more action. However, if your leader and mainline have similar breaking strengths, a snug knot may be better as it has a higher breaking strength.

Additional tips

• When choosing the type of leader line, consider the water clarity, size of expected fish, and amount of structure nearby.
• If you are using a swivel to prevent line twists, tie the swivel between the main line and the leader using a modified uni knot.
• Always test your knots before fishing.

When to use a leader for pan fishing

A leader line is a shorter length of fishing line that is attached to the end of the main line. It is the part of the line that goes into the water and comes closest to the fish. It is usually made from a different material to the main line.

There are several reasons why you should use a leader when pan fishing:

• To prevent line breakage – Pan fishing often involves fishing in waters with sharp-toothed fish and underwater rocks, both of which can damage your line. A leader line will protect the part of your main line that is most exposed to these risks.
• To reduce line visibility – Some fish will inspect the bait before attacking it, and seeing that it is attached to a line might put them off. A leader made from fluorocarbon, or a line that blends in with the colour of the water, will be almost invisible to the fish.
• To prevent line twisting – When a fish is hooked, its movements can cause the line to twist. Attaching a leader to a swivel will prevent the main line from twisting as the leader rotates.
• To improve casting accuracy and distance – A leader can add weight to the end of the line, helping you cast further and more accurately.
• To protect your bait – If you are using soft bait, a leader can protect it from being torn apart by the fish.
• To act as a shock absorber – A leader can allow you to throw heavier bait and fight heavier fish.

In general, you should use a leader 99% of the time when fishing. However, there are some situations in which you might not need to use a leader when pan fishing:

• If the water is clear and free from rocks and reefs.
• If there are no fish with sharp teeth in the water.

The average length of a leader line is between 12 and 26 inches, but this can vary depending on the conditions you are fishing in. If you are using live bait, you may want to go longer, between 30 and 42 inches.

Frequently asked questions