Using steel leader

[georgiasportsman]

How do you secure steel leader to your line?

[Tom Keels]

Swivel.

[georgiasportsman]

I've never used a steel leader so this mght seem like a dumb question. Do you just tie it to the swivel and to the hook or do you have to use some type of crimp?

[Reel Navy]

What Tom says! It's easier. If you're feeling froggy you can actually tie the wire to fishing line using an Albright (this according to directions on the back of my Maliin wire bag). For other ways check out the Malin website at: http://www.malinco.com/fishing.html

[Reel Navy]

You secure the wire to the swivel using a Haywire Twist. The Malin website should show you or google "Haywire Twist" and you'll find a ton of info.

[Tom Keels]

You secure the wire to the swivel using a Haywire Twist. The Malin website should show you or google "Haywire Twist" and you'll find a ton of info.

I find a figure 8 knot to be just as good.

[Charles]

I don't usually use steel leader unless I'm specifically targeting mackerel or blues, and when I do I'm with Tom and use a swivel because I'm usually trolling. I use single strand wire for this, and join the leader to the swivel with a haywire twist.
http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniq ... ywire.html

Quite a few years ago I was fishing in circumstances that called for using a braided (twisted) steel leader on a light (6 lb. test) spinning outfit. For that I used an Albright special to attach the line and leader, and a figure eight knot to tie a jig to the leader. That worked well.
http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniq ... right.html

[georgiasportsman]

Thanks guys, that helps. Anything I should know before buying some wire leader? I want to keep some on the boat for spanish or sharks.

[Charles]

As good a place as any to start:
http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniq ... eader.html

[Charles]

No, now that I think about it I take that back. Like I said, that was many years ago.

I think what I did was tie the main line (6 lb. test) to a short monofilament shock leader (12 lb. test) with a uni-knot. The shock leader was tied to the multi-strand wire leader with an Albright special.

[lordsfisher]

Personally, I would never use wire for spanish mackerel or blues because you sacrifice too many bites. 40 pound mono leader works for me. I never fish for big sharks, but I've never been cut off by a small shark with 40 lb mono or heavier.

For larger sharks, I recommend making the wire leader as long as the shark you want to catch because their tail is so abrasive to thin mono. Or at least use some braided line with a shorter wire leader. Just my opinions, others may disagree.

[Flint River Pirate]

How do you secure steel leader to your line?

What are you going to be fishing for Daniel?

[Reel Cowboy]

How do you secure steel leader to your line?

What are you going to be fishing for Daniel?

Apparently some wid big ol teeth.

[georgiasportsman]

How do you secure steel leader to your line?

What are you going to be fishing for Daniel?

No targeted species. I just saw some wire leader yesterday at BPS. I started to buy some to keep on the boat, and it occurred to me that I didn't even know how to rig it. Mark and I typically would just up size our mono leader if we were getting our live bait rigs cut when drifting the flats.

[Flint River Pirate]

They make some 18 24 and 36 inch pre-made steel leaders at Backwoods. I like those.