Shock leaders

[Island991]

Ive had some great advise about shock leaders. Thanks to all.
Have now bought tapered ones. They are 43ft/13m long how much of this do i need? my rod is 12ft so is it twice rod lenght plus 5/6 turns? (which would be about 30ft odd) if so do i trim line from the heavy end or the weaker end?!? bearing in mind i have a multiplier with level wind and knot sizes are an issue.

cheers

[geejayy]

i don't use tapered leaders any more, ( ct reels).
but when i did i was told/ found ;-

1, the thin tapered end is often narrower diameter/ lighter breaking strain than your main line,- tieing directly to the end would give a weak point so....... trim back leader untill main line and leader diameters roughly match
then join with knot of your choice, i used blood knots with no problems.

2, length, put together the rod and thread leader down through the eyes to the reel and join to main line,( section 1, ).
wind on to the reel makeing sure you get past the tapered section by at least 6 or so turns and into the heavy 60lb + section.
i cant remember, but at this point, i probably wound the rest on as well.
if however there is too much leader hanging out the top of yer rod and this causes problems when casting ie, heavy coils restricting flow through the rings, especialy on fixed spools. trim back the thick end to the required 'drop'
allowing for the length of your rig body(which should also be shock leader b/s)

as long as you've got the heavy line running from the weight to the top eye back down to the reel with about 6 turns round the spool you should be ok,
if you cut too much off the thick end by the time it runs back to the reel you may have got to the tapered section and have a lighter breaking strain there,
will def crackoff dureing power casting if too light

sometimes extra long shock leaders are used for some conditions .

thats my tuppence worth anyway,
geejayy.

[Island991]

cheers thats kinda what i thought but having never used one i wasnt sure! Trying it out tomorrow. fingers crossed!!