Shock Leader?

[merogers]

Going to Sandbridge this summer and am planning on doing a lot of surf fishing. Finally got some heavier spinning rigs and got a couple Penn Spinfisher beefy rods. I've never done the shock leader deal and have no idea how to or why to use one. Any suggestions and rigs welcome. mark

[h2oboss]

Shock leaders are used for a number of reasons
1. Allows you to keep you fingertips .....when casting heavy rigs like 8nbait(8oz weight plus bait) your fingertips can take a real betting, especailly if they are wet and look like prunes. They make finger tabs that slip over your index finger put I prefer to not use them
2.Allows you to cast heavy rigs/lures....I never use mono heavier than 20lb (at times 17lb or even 15lb) but you can't "load up" that size mono with heavy weights, your mono will snap. That's why they are called shock leaders, they absorb the initial shock of the cast. So If I use 8oz, plus bait, my set up will weight anywhere from 10oz to 12oz total (large chunk of bunker or bunker head)...trying to cast that with any type of force would snap the line, all you could do was lob it out. Therefor a 17-20lb main line mono with 40lb shock leader will allow you to load up your cast (assuming your rod is rated it) and put plenty of force into it b/c the load is absorb with the 40lb shock leader BUT>>>>the rig is sailing on 20lb main line. This serves many purposes...cast farther, less drag, less water resistance from heavier line, less wind resistance, more line on spool, more sporting for fish, etc,etc
3. It gives you something to provide abbarsion ressitance, when you are surf fishing it is very common to have to fight a fish in over a sandbar or two (especaily if your casted it out to bar or over bar) As you are fighting the fish your line can be rubbed up on the bar. Shock leader provides some protection.
4. gives you something to grab when you get in close. I do a fair bit of shark fishing form the beach and when you get a 5'-7'+ shark in close it's time to put the rod in the surf stake and grab the leader to beach it the last 10' or so...or if you are jetty fishing it helps protect from rocks, barnacles, shellfish, etc as well as giving you somthing the grab to hoist fish up if you don't have a net/gaff
5. It's not just for bait fishing...(again assuming the rod can handle the load)...my go to long distance spinning rod is a 9' graphite/glass composite spooled with 30lb PP with 30lb mono shock leader. The PP (power pro) is braided line with the diameter of 8lb test mono. I took the set up to a football field and routinely cast 100yds+/- with a heavy Hopkins or Kastmaster. I can really load up the rod, due to it's fiberglass/graphite contruction without fear of breaking the rod. I couldn't do this w/o a shock leader/braid combo.

A few tips...1. a little dab of super glue of your mono/mono or braid/mono knots really helps IMHO....just make sure it's completly dry before you reel it onto your spool.
2. always make you shock leader 2x the lenght of your rod. This will leave you with enough to wrap around your spool a few times and plenty to cast with. You can always trim a little off later. Nothing worse than making a nice albright knot and then realizing that you don't have enough on the other end.
3. Learn how to tie the knots mentioned (or whatever knot your prefer) until it is second nature. Without fail the bite will be on and you'll have to retie for whatever reason.....so you don't wanna be fooling around with a knot for 4 mins that should take 30secs..
4. Pay carefull attention to your knots, they can get frayed form repeated casting, fishing, etc
5. make your knots as small and streamlined asa possible
6. I love braided line, but it can cut you like a razor.
7. lick(moisten) your knots before your tighten them, the friction/heat generated from tightening your knots weakens the line and knot.....If you give me a rag, I can break ANY MONO with my finger.....no joke! Great bar trick

If you can't tell it's a real slow day at work ..........I'm sure I forgot a few things but that's all I can think of for now.




I like uni to uni, albright or improved albright for my mono to mono or braid to mono connections. I ensure each knot with a little dab of super glue, lick my fingers and rolls the knot in the super glue.

[bunkerbuster]

Very thorough dissertation there!

I use 60 and 80 lb. shockleaders on my old Daiwa 7000s....w/20 and 30 lb. mono.

I was shown how to double back the monoline and tie a spider hitch...by someone that did not believe in joining two different line
sizes.
It worked...got my first 33lb drum using it.

[buckshotgumbo]

I've had good luck with the Slim Beauty Knot...
I'm starting to chafe..
Feel an Assateaugue camping trip in my future...