Blackfish leader shy?

[Bobby Kojak]

It's my opinion that if you use a light leader(below 30lb) you'll probably only bring in the little ones. First of all it's also my opinion that flourocarbon leader material is a must and that a minimum of 40 lb leaders are a must. If you think that a 15 lb leader will bring in that 20 plus pounder we all dream about, then you really are dreaming.........

[Joey Dah Fish]

Been fishing all my life. One thing I know for sure. When the bite it difficult you pull out all the stops. I certainly have seen line shy fish no matter what the species .

[Reelron]

I'm no expert my any means but I know I would rather lose the bite of smaller fish than lose a big one to a broken leader. Last year I had a slob break my 40# top shot because I panicked and slid my drag up. I hear about that, not only from the Captain, but also from guys I don't even know.

The last two days I fished on a non-sponsor the mate and Captain were talking about their 25# rigs. I was just shaking my head. Captain said something like, it's cheaper to lose a hook than a sinker and a hook? I just kept using my 50# rigs. Caught 5 fish on thurs. & 6 only Friday. (No one else had a limit) Had plenty of shorts to toss back too. And only lost 3 rigs to the bottom.

Thursday I watched 3 fish break off at the hook and Friday a bigger fish was lost with the hook breaking off.

[Ismellfishy]

Originally Posted by Reelron

I'm no expert my any means but I know I would rather lose the bite of smaller fish than lose a big one to a broken leader. Last year I had a slob break my 40# top shot because I panicked and slid my drag up. I hear about that, not only from the Captain, but also from guys I don't even know.

The last two days I fished on a non-sponsor the mate and Captain were talking about their 25# rigs. I was just shaking my head. Captain said something like, it's cheaper to lose a hook than a sinker and a hook? I just kept using my 50# rigs. Caught 5 fish on thurs. & 6 only Friday. (No one else had a limit) Had plenty of shorts to toss back too. And only lost 3 rigs to the bottom.

Thursday I watched 3 fish break off at the hook and Friday a bigger fish was lost with the hook breaking off.

Im totally with ya Ron. I lock it all the way down and back off once halfway+ up. Only thing is I will add a 40# breakaway loop for the sinker. Id rather lose the sinker on a big fish than miss the bite of a smaller fish

[jmurr711]

when chafed flouro gives off a flash correct? be great if tog swim in sand, minds well add a spin n glo & squid skirt. i use 50lb leader & chafed off a pig yesterday. contacted 2 of the best toggers i know about it & they both said they use 65-80 for there hooks. i don't care about catching a limit i want big fish. bullet if i was you just go with 50lb leader material...... but what do i know

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by jmurr711

when chafed flouro gives off a flash correct? be great if tog swim in sand, minds well add a spin n glo & squid skirt. i use 50lb leader & chafed off a pig yesterday. contacted 2 of the best toggers i know about it & they both said they use 65-80 for there hooks. i don't care about catching a limit i want big fish. bullet if i was you just go with 50lb leader material...... but what do i know

I always used 50 lb plain mono, and never had problems, but also never caught anything bigger than about 9-10 pounds..
I was merely thinking more about the "line shy" concept.. Not the chaffing so much.
I know tuna types, weaks, stripers, even blues or fluke at times can be line shy, as well as fresh water fish, but never thought much about it for tog or other bottom fish.. I just figured they are around and eat off of tangled crap each and every day, and most of the reefs and wrecks they inhabit are probably covered in fishing line.. However, far be it from me to disregard what a very well respected party boat captain says about it, and he feels lighter leaders helped some of his fares to catch more fish.. .. I dunno, next time out I will just stick to my 50 lb mono and see what happens,,, I usually ok with tog , but now I am thinking maybe I am "missing the boat", by not using 30 lb flouro leaders... bob

[Chris1129]

I asked Capt Chad, Tagged Fish if Tog are line shy on Sunday after reading this post and his answer was "absolutely". Some days it matters more then others and some days it does not.

They use 50lb on his boat.

He also stated that "most likely" you will break off a big fish (10+)? with 40lb leader or less.

[Capt. Debbie]

I always thought this is bizarre with Toggers.

Why do most use rediculuously high 65lb braid with a 30 lb leader or 30lb rig line? I'm pretty sure NO ONE uses rigs tied with 50lb but for cod fishermen.

Besides the leader or the rig will pop just over 30 pounds anyway?

Originally Posted by bulletbob

I always used 50 lb plain mono, and never had problems, but also never caught anything bigger than about 9-10 pounds..
I was merely thinking more about the "line shy" concept.. Not the chaffing so much.
I know tuna types, weaks, stripers, even blues or fluke at times can be line shy, as well as fresh water fish, but never thought much about it for tog or other bottom fish.. I just figured they are around and eat off of tangled crap each and every day, and most of the reefs and wrecks they inhabit are probably covered in fishing line.. However, far be it from me to disregard what a very well respected party boat captain says about it, and he feels lighter leaders helped some of his fares to catch more fish.. .. I dunno, next time out I will just stick to my 50 lb mono and see what happens,,, I usually ok with tog , but now I am thinking maybe I am "missing the boat", by not using 30 lb flouro leaders... bob

[Joey Dah Fish]

Looks like the jury is still out on this one. Either way one thing I know to be true is the more confident you are in the way you're fishing (your style) the more fish you will catch. So if you like 50mono fish it if you like 30 flouro fish it. The only time to change what you are doing is when you are not catching and other are.

[Capt. Debbie]

Curious.
It you're using a "rig" wouldn't that matter more than the line its attached to?

Makes sense they "see" the line coming out of their crab a lot closer up than the main line / shock line(with braid).