Hmmm I agree. Having said that i cracked off all the way to the leader on friday. Probably down to my broken rod eye which thankfully has now been fixed

 

I've fished mumbles pier twice over the school holidays as it seemed to be the only place producing. Both time's I haven't been able to relax and was always looking over my shoulder when people around were casting. Obviousley just summer anglers after a bit of mackie, but didn't really know what they were doing. A few people had crack-offs around me and a had a couple of comments when I tried to walk away or put my arms over my head when I heard the crack - they didn't realise what the danger was. In the end I had to leave - too many people fishing within a few feet of each other, too many feathers flying around and not many fish (apart from a foul hooked mullet!)
I even overheard the guy fishing next but one to me claim that he must of had a dodgy spool of line from the tackle shop. He couldn't understand why he lost 3 rigs (inc. 2 sets of feathers) as he had 18lb line on his spool, swiftly followed by - 'and I'm only using a 6 oz weight!'
There really was no hope for him, but he was the type of bloke that if you tried to point out the error of his ways, he would take it personaly and had a go at casting you out over the edge!
I don't know how it could be worked, but I wonder if it could be written into the pier fishing rules, that all anglers have to use a shockleader, and for the reels to be checked when going onto the pier.
Just a thought, but possibly totaly unpractical......

 

Thats a good suggestion mate. Tough **** if you crack off without a leader, i hope it happens everytime you go fishing IMO! Maybe then they will realise!

 

There are some piers where a shockleader is a mandatory requirement, and you'd think that as Mumbles Pier allow the public to use it while there are anglers on there that they would have some sort of rule to that effect. Simple answer, if you see another angler losing gear due to having no shock leader then a friendly word to the wise pointing out that a length of heavy mono that costs less than a pound can save him from losing expensive gear can be enough to make them think about it. If you go in there spouting off about safety and danger then they are more likely to tell you to bog off as most people don't like being told that they are doing something wrong.

 

That's just reminded me why i like to fish quiet venues!! There's no telling some people, as they say.

 

I think there might possibly have been one single thread on this about 5yrs ago....oh, nope, there's normally one every week or so (although to be fair I haven't seen for a for weeks, what's going on?).

Do a quick search and you'll get loads, normally descends into people getting angry for no reason and the thread getting locked.

 

I converted my father in law to use shockleaders a few years ago - he swears by them now as he knows his gear wont fail him when he casts and he stands more chance of his end gear coming back.

He still cn't do a leader knot so I do his leaders for him, but it only takes a few seconds and I don't really mind at all. I have tied leaders for people many times on Walton Pier, so maybe one of the reasons people don't use them is that they can't tie a leader knot.

 

I converted my father in law to use shockleaders a few years ago - he swears by them now as he knows his gear wont fail him when he casts and he stands more chance of his end gear coming back.

He still cn't do a leader knot so I do his leaders for him, but it only takes a few seconds and I don't really mind at all. I have tied leaders for people many times on Walton Pier, so maybe one of the reasons people don't use them is that they can't tie a leader knot.

l will admitt, it took me more than 5 minutes to learn,
and also its far easier to tie at home, than during the midde of the night, on a cold wind wept beach in the middle of winter, when your fingers are numb to the bone.....
I just hope i dont crack off in those situations....

 

There are some piers where a shockleader is a mandatory requirement, and you'd think that as Mumbles Pier allow the public to use it while there are anglers on there that they would have some sort of rule to that effect. Simple answer, if you see another angler losing gear due to having no shock leader then a friendly word to the wise pointing out that a length of heavy mono that costs less than a pound can save him from losing expensive gear can be enough to make them think about it. If you go in there spouting off about safety and danger then they are more likely to tell you to bog off as most people don't like being told that they are doing something wrong.

That's a good point, and with hindsight perhaps be what I should of done. But, there must of been 60 odd rods off the pier that day, and I would guess at least half were without shock leaders. I didn't want to spend my time going from one angler to another. I should of just mentioned it to one or two - then the next time I go, another one or two. And if perhaps a few people tell some others etc..... well, you get the idea!
All the best everyone,
tight lines
DD

 

Someone will be on this thread in a bit saying they dont use one with 15lb line cos they only lob it and have never had a crack off, fools

 

Rumpus,

I'll be that guy!

But before you start jumping up & down and getting all aerated read on.

For ninety percent of my shore fishing I will use a 60lb leader generally a tapered leader and totally agree that if you are power-casting 4-8oz leads then a shock leader is essential.

For ninety to ninety-eight percent, I won't use a shockleader as I'm flicking spinners and plugs into an estuary entrance for Bass.

The remaining two percent involves fishing close in, under the rodtip in estuaries for flounders and schoolies with a strong lateral tidal flow with large clumps of bladderwrack and kelp, so 20lb straight through with a maximum of 3oz is used and it is a gentle and I MEAN gentle lob is used to get the twenty yards required to get to the fish. If i can get the rig away with an underarm flick I will but it is not possible on some of the marks due to obstructions beneath the railings. Use of a leader here is impossible due to the weed clogging up the tip ring and allowing the rig to get caught in the kelp and bladderwrack on the promenade wall leaving fish trapped that have been then left dangling on the receding tide resulting in entangled seabirds who have pounced upon the fish, leaving us anglers with an even bigger dilema as the birdie lovers then criticise us for the dead birds.

I understand where you are coming from regards the summer fluff chucker mackerel bashers who come out when the sun shines and the mackerel appear. I have taken avioding action on Chesil before now when the strings of wayward feathers have gone along the beach as opposed to heading out to sea.

But understand that carte blanche statement about those that don't use a shockleader for every fishing occasion are fools is an unwise and ill thought out statement.

 

I'm also surprised at the people that don't use a shock leader, or don't know why it's necessary, or don't know the correct length, which for anyone that doesn't know, is 2+ rod lengths, a bit for the drop, a rod length and a few turns on the spool, it's no use using a shockleader if the knot is half way up the rod, it'll always snap off at the knot.

Also, kinda related, is pulling for breaks when snagged, keep the rod tip low and preferably under water, wrap a couple of turns of line round your forearm and walk backwards, lots of people just heave and heave on the rod, worst case scenario is what happened to a carp angler a few years back doing that, the rig became unsnagged at full pull, the lead hit him in the face and was embedded, fully, in the back of his eye socket, that was a 3oz lead.

AL ..

P.S. for Pagham Pirate, I personally wasn't referring to using a shockleader for spinners, that'd be daft or when using 3oz leads on 20lb line, just to be clear, I was referring to Beachcasting, with heavy leads.

 

Al

I know that but it was the comment about anybody that doesn't use one is a fool, that light my blue touch paper, as the majority of us are aware that there are occasions when they are not practicable.

Saw the X-ray photo of the carp guys head on a TV programme, made my eyes water!!

 

Al

I know that but it was the comment about anybody that doesn't use one is a fool, that light my blue touch paper, as the majority of us are aware that there are occasions when they are not practicable.

Saw the X-ray photo of the carp guys head on a TV programme, made my eyes water!!

And me

AL ..

 

Rumpus,

I'll be that guy!

But before you start jumping up & down and getting all aerated read on.

For ninety percent of my shore fishing I will use a 60lb leader generally a tapered leader and totally agree that if you are power-casting 4-8oz leads then a shock leader is essential.

For ninety to ninety-eight percent, I won't use a shockleader as I'm flicking spinners and plugs into an estuary entrance for Bass.

The remaining two percent involves fishing close in, under the rodtip in estuaries for flounders and schoolies with a strong lateral tidal flow with large clumps of bladderwrack and kelp, so 20lb straight through with a maximum of 3oz is used and it is a gentle and I MEAN gentle lob is used to get the twenty yards required to get to the fish. If i can get the rig away with an underarm flick I will but it is not possible on some of the marks due to obstructions beneath the railings. Use of a leader here is impossible due to the weed clogging up the tip ring and allowing the rig to get caught in the kelp and bladderwrack on the promenade wall leaving fish trapped that have been then left dangling on the receding tide resulting in entangled seabirds who have pounced upon the fish, leaving us anglers with an even bigger dilema as the birdie lovers then criticise us for the dead birds.

I understand where you are coming from regards the summer fluff chucker mackerel bashers who come out when the sun shines and the mackerel appear. I have taken avioding action on Chesil before now when the strings of wayward feathers have gone along the beach as opposed to heading out to sea.

But understand that carte blanche statement about those that don't use a shockleader for every fishing occasion are fools is an unwise and ill thought out statement.

I agree there is a time and a place! I often fish Brighton Marina and usually I am underarm flicking a 4oz lead 5-10yds from wall and us straight through 25lb. When I opt to switch to mackerel fishing with feathers (unusual for me as I prefer one spinner on a light rod) but then I use a shockleader for zipping out the feathers for distance.

Likewise a use a small 2oz ball lead lobbed gently 20yds to find flatties and again no shockleader but no real strain on tackle either as cast is so gentle!

I do agree that there are some that need to be taught that when they are firing the lead out to sea a shockleader is required - having said that there are a load of numpties who come to the marina and fire their worm baits to the horizon not realising that most the good fish are at their feet!:crazy:

Best

A

 

Come down this way then to see some fools. There are they that use shocks but they are the minority and casualty isnt exactly chocker with the injured.If you powercast then fine use one but if you dont then do like i do and dont.
I`ve seen a kid cop a string of six in the back of the head by a guy using a leader and it still hurts.
Leader or not if you never cracked off then you are special. Its usually tip ring wrap that does it, n`est pas?

 

i don't use a leader because i only use a 10oz weight and i have 15lb main line. i read that you are meant to have one lb of line strenth for each oz of lead so i am 50% above what is needed. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

Here's a thought.....
We know Mike Thrussell writes really good, concise features (on rigs and techniques and so on).

Why not ask him to think it over and then....in his least inflammatory language...write one on why (and when) you should be using a shock leader and how strong and long it should be.

Ask him to include (with his copyright statement) permission for any of us to print it out to hand to other members of the public.

We then keep a couple of small, printed copies in our tackle box/bag and hand one to anyone we see casting (potentially dangerously) without a shock. We don't need to say anything - just hand them a small piece of paper and walk away.

If (after reading it, or starting to read it) they then turn nasty, not only can you be further away from them but also you have some 'evidence' for the police, if it comes to that, that you did not provoke them - just try politely to educate them.

before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way you are a mile away and you have their shoes !

 

on casting from the beach i use a shockleader...

rough ground fishing i use 30lb straight through...no schockleader....


why??

if you loose as much gear as i do rough grounding then you would too!!!

 

.

If (after reading it, or starting to read it) they then turn nasty, not only can you be further away from them but also you have some 'evidence' for the police, if it comes to that, that you did not provoke them - just try politely to educate them.

:lmao::lmao:

As it happens I've never used it.....but will start after reading the advice given.:kissing:

 

Someone will be on this thread in a bit saying they dont use one with 15lb line cos they only lob it and have never had a crack off, fools

:laugh: Yep 15lb line 4oz lead forty yards into the surf after bass:victory::victory::victory: No problems!

 

I'd have to say that where I fish I have seldom seen anyone use a leader at any time with what is "normal" fishing round here.The ground is heavy kelp and rocks all over,and casting is generally under probably 70 yards or so. 30lb or 35lb line straight through is what evreyone uses,and before anyone suggests we're all novices,I've been fishing for over 40 years and like to think I know what I'm doing in my own situation.Power casting here is never done,and I mean never,and I would have to think it must be a couple of years since I've seen a crack-off,and can't even recall when I last had one myself.I fully appreciate if you're really putting your back into power casting then you would need to take the load during the cast,but you must remeber all you beach fishing guys,that all of the country is not the same as you.

 

I'd have to say that where I fish I have seldom seen anyone use a leader at any time with what is "normal" fishing round here.The ground is heavy kelp and rocks all over,and casting is generally under probably 70 yards or so. 30lb or 35lb line straight through is what evreyone uses,and before anyone suggests we're all novices,I've been fishing for over 40 years and like to think I know what I'm doing in my own situation.Power casting here is never done,and I mean never,and I would have to think it must be a couple of years since I've seen a crack-off,and can't even recall when I last had one myself.I fully appreciate if you're really putting your back into power casting then you would need to take the load during the cast,but you must remeber all you beach fishing guys,that all of the country is not the same as you.

Couldn't agree more Bob well said :clap3::clap3:

 

i am interested in shock leader use and any information on its use would be greatly appreciated,i fish off mumbles pier mostly using 15lb line,i thrive to cast further and forever snap lines:hammer:

Ummm im not expert but....shockleader is strong line tied to your main line. You then tie your rig to this. It should be about 2 rod lengths long. You use this to stop breaking line and not be a danger to anyone else fishing around you......

Also if you fish from a pier then you dont need to cast far. 20 yards is probably almost enough but correct me here someone if im wrong.

 

The "agreed" (by who??) safety standard is 10lb of shockleader for every 1oz of lead used. I certainly wont be found power casting without 6olb of leader if I am humping leads out. BUT, I wouldnt be seen dead using a sixty pound leader when lobbing three ounces into rough ground thirty yards off the rod tip. There is no safety issue, I have NEVER cracked off (20lb mainline) and I wouldnt want to give a bass such a clear warning sign when our seas (and it hasnt happened that often) go mediteranean on us. I think some people think that the type of fishing they do is the type of fishing everyone does, but there is so much regional variation that it isnt the case. I am guessing that those advocates of leaders for all situations are only power casting, and dont have fish under their rod tips.