Anglers often look at leaders as a sense of security, insurance on a lure or rig. The mono, fluoro, or steel line that connects the main line to the bait or lure is often connected via a swivel, easily detachable.
Looked at as a guarantee when angling for something with teeth or around underwaTackle Crafters BlacktipH Shark Surf Rigter obstructions, there is more to leaders.
In fact, fishing leaders cover a much more wide array of uses. In this article, we’re going to cover some of the different types of fishing leaders, how to use them and how to tie them.
7 Best Fishing Leaders for 2023 Reviewed
- Best Fishing Leader- KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader Line
- Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Leader-Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader
- Best Wire Leader Rig-Tackle Crafters BlacktipH Shark Surf Rig
- JSHANMEI Stainless Steel Wire Fishing Leader
- Bozeman FlyWorks Fly Fishing Tapered Leader
- Rio Powerflex Trout Fly Fishing Leader
- Piscifun Fly Fishing Tapered Leader
1. KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader Line
Best Fishing Leader
KastKing knows a thing or two about creating solid products that fishermen love. This mono leader line is no different. For a reasonable price, this line sure does deliver, and there are countless fishermen who swear by its toughness.
This monofilament leader can handle a beating. Whether a fish takes you down to the rocks or pulls hard, the abrasion resistance and ability to stretch just enough keep the hook engaged and the line from breaking.
When going for the big game, we like 100-pound or more tests from KastKing. Give it a shot!
2. Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader
Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Leader
Fishermen will always be out there debating whether fluorocarbon is superior to monofilament, but the truth is they both have their purpose. If you need a leader to drop down super fast and have a bit more clarity to those line-shy fish, then this is your perfect leader.
With a tensile strength amongst the highest on the market, this line has virtually no stretch in it. If those are the properties you’re looking for, then check it out!
3. Tackle Crafters BlacktipH Shark Surf Rig
Best Wire Leader Rig
If you’ve followed BlacktipH on YouTube, you already know that they are pros at bringing in the biggest fish out there. It’s amazing to see that they’ve ventured out to bring some of their technology to us in the form of USA-made shark and big fish rigs.
If you’re looking for a super strong saltwater wire leader that’s pre-rigged, then this is your outfit. This has six feet of 400-pound mono with 18 inches of #15 single-strand wire. It also includes a huge circle hook and a pyramid sinker! If you want to catch monsters from shore, pick one up.
4. JSHANMEI Stainless Steel Wire Fishing Leader
Not all anglers want a pre-rigged setup like our last choice, so here’s a wire leader with the basics attached to help you get your own rigs made. We like these wire leaders because they come with swivel snap beads and have solid snaps.
The main has a 90-pound test, and the arm has a 70-pound test. These are made from high-strength stainless steel and are abrasion-resistant. You won’t have to worry about these leaders breaking on you, that’s for sure.
5. Bozeman FlyWorks Fly Fishing Tapered Leader
Let’s venture into the fly fishing world and look at what leader we feel tops the list. The Bozeman FlyWorks leaders are impressive because they provide high quality for a fraction of the cost, especially when compared to other manufacturers like Umpqua.
They hold a knot well and cast well. It’s crazy how they can sell such a good product that everyone raves about and still keep their prices so low! Let’s hope they make enough margin to stick around.
6. Rio Powerflex Trout Fly Fishing Leader
We’re big fans of Rio Products because they seem to know a thing or two about what fly fishermen want to see in their products. These Powerflex leaders are no different. They have an aggressive taper design with a long butt section and a flexible tippet.
They even come with a Perfection Loop in the butt for easy rigging. If you’re looking for a leader for nymphing, making indicator rigs, streamers, or using the dry fly, then check this one out!
7. Piscifun Fly Fishing Tapered Leader
These leaders are a little hit-or-miss so tread lightly here. If you’re looking for a budget fly leader and don’t mind losing a few fish, then pick these up. We understand that not everyone can afford the premium-grade products out there, so we wanted to make sure to include an option anyone can pick up.
From those who have had success with these leaders, they say that it holds the knot well, but the line snaps happen from time to time. It might be worth going up a size or two just to add a factor of safety compared to the more premium options.
Overview
A leader is a length of line attached to the end of your main fishing line before the eye of the hook.
It is a separate length to which a rig or lure is tied. Connecting the two lines is usually done by tying the two pieces together with a knot or by tying each line to the separate ends of a swivel with that acting as the joining mechanism between the two.
There are two main reasons for using a leader line. First, it can be used to provide increased protection against the sharp edges of teeth, rocks, reefs or rubbing against pylons.
Fishing Leader Line Visibility
The other main reason is that some fishing lines are highly visible underwater. Using specific types of leaders can make it difficult for fish to see the line connected to your bait or lure. This can especially be beneficial when fishing for keen-eyed fish such as bass.
Fishing leaders are usually made of monofilament, much stronger than the fishing line they are tied to. In cases of saltwater fishing or fishing for “toothy” fish, wire leaders are used.
When targeting species with more of a finesse approach, the fluorocarbon line is used as leader material.
The reason for using fluorocarbon in finesse approaches is due to the fact that fluorocarbon essentially disappears underwater, causing the bait to be the only thing the fish see.
What is a Fishing Leader?
There are many times a leader can be used to ensure a successful catch in any given situation, but that does not always mean leaders are the best choice.
The best time to use a wire leader is when you have the chance to catch a fish with sharp teeth that could possibly cut through your line.
Braid to Fluoro
When fishing with braided fishing line, it is a good idea to use a fluorocarbon leader when using any approach other than topwater for freshwater fish.
If you are throwing anything finesse, you need to use a 2-3 foot fluorocarbon leader. This will give you the anti-stretch attribute of the braid but also give you the invisibility factor of the fluorocarbon.
Carolina Rigging
Leaders work great if you are fishing a Carolina rig. This gives the easiest method of tying a leader due to the barrel swivel you have to go to use to make the Carolina rig correctly.
Monofilament is a good leader material due to the fact that it is fairly transparent underwater. Also, you can use a very heavy line on your leader to ensure you do not lose your bait or fish due to the fraying of your line.
Monofilament Leader Suggestions
Here are some recommendations for the proper fishing leader line length for a few situations.
| Type of Fishing | Leader Length | Leader Test (Pounds) |
| Most freshwater | 2-3 feet | None to 20 |
| Bonefish, permit | 2-3 feet | None to 15 |
| All-around inshore | 2 feet to rod length | 30 – 40 |
| Snook, Tarpon | Rod length | 30 – 50 |
| Deep jigging, reef bottom fishing | Rod length | 50 – 60 |
| Surf fishing leader (ocean casting, surface, mid-deep, shock leader for surf fishing) | Rod length | 30 – 60 |
Note: Add a short tippet of 80 or 100-pound mono to your basic leader when fishing big tarpon. If you’re going to get strikes from bluefish, mackerel, kings, barracuda, or shark, then add a short tippet of wire as well. The tippet should be around a foot long.
Wire Leader Fishing Suggestions
| Type of Fishing | Wire Length | Wire Size |
| Inshore spinning, trolling, drifting light bottom fishing | 6″ to 3′ | 2 – 5 |
| Offshore trolling and drifting (all-purpose) | 6′ to 10′ | 6 – 8 |
| Offshore trolling (billfish, yellowfin tuna) with lines of 50-pound-test and under | 12′ to 15′ | 9 – 12 |
| Offshore trolling (billfish, giant tuna) with lines over 50-pound | 15′ to 30′ | 10 – 19 |
| Bottom fishing and deep reef trolling | 3′ to 9′ | 7 – 9 |
| Jewfish Fishing | 3′ to 9′ | 9 and up |
| Shark fishing (large shark) | 12′ to 15′ | 9 and up |
How to Tie a Leader
The best knot to use for tying a leader is the Basic Uni to Uni knot.
In order to tie a Uni to Uni knot, follow these steps!
- Overlap the end of the leader material and mainline by about six inches.
- Bring the tag end of the mainline toward the middle and form a loop.
- Using the same tag end, make six to eight turns through the loop and tighten by tugging the tag end.
- Repeat steps two and three with the leader material.
- After moistening the line, pull the standing lines in opposite directions to bring the knots together.
Pro tip: When you are joining lines with different diameters, make an extra wrap or two with the smaller diameter line to help secure and strengthen the new leader knot.
Different Variety of Fishing Leaders
Wire fishing leaders, titanium fishing leaders, and stainless steel fishing leader wires are a good idea for saltwater fishing when going after fish such as grouper.
Groupers like to hide in holes around rocks. Once they bite, they will try to rush back into the hole. More often than not, these holes have rocky openings that will shear off a line. A wire fishing leader can help prevent this.
Fly Fishing Leaders
Fly fishing leaders can actually help give you more control of fly placement. More than that, fishing leaders will help prevent your line from becoming frayed or cut from fishing around the rocky areas often found around areas where fly fishing.
Paired with the right fly rod and fly reel…a well-made tapered leader is dangerous on the water.
Monofilament fishing leaders are the more common type used by freshwater fishermen. These fishing leaders are easy to tie, change and adjust.
Fluorocarbon fishing leaders are more often used when finesse fishing or a more “precise” type of fishing.
There are way more varieties of fishing leaders that an angler has at his disposal. These are a few of the more commonly used.
Fishing Leader Holder
Since you’re likely to be fishing in different situations and fish throughout the day, it’s important to have many leaders at your disposal.
This can lead to a tangled mess if you don’t have the right fishing leader storage holder.
You can make one yourself with standard household items or buy one. They’re usually cheap, so it’s likely worth just picking one up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Probably the most important reason for using a fishing leader is to help keep your lure/bait from being bitten off or to keep friction from items under the water from cutting your line. Fishing leaders can also become transparent to fish underwater. This can help you land a more cautious fish that may be able to see a standard line.
Fishing leaders can change the feel of a cast, especially to more sensitive gear. They may make the line feel more “weighted.” This takes a little getting used to but becomes second nature.
That is a matter of opinion. For me, I prefer wire leaders. This is because they are light yet durable.
Absolutely! Many anglers do make their own fishing leaders. This can be because they want a certain material, size, or length.
Insider Advice
Fishing leaders are a topic that is not often discussed, and some may say, not used. However, many anglers will find that the use of fishing leaders can cut down the number of lost fish and make changing lures much easier.
Fishing leaders come in a variety of sizes and strengths depending o the type of fishing you are doing.
When fishing in saltwater, leaders made of wire, titanium l, and stainless steel are used. In freshwater, these can be used to catch species that are more apt to cut through conventional lines or be used on fishing jugs.
For freshwater fishing, monofilament fishing leaders are the most commonly used type of leader.
For both salt and freshwater, leaders are most often attached by swivel snaps which allow the line to move well with currents and allow the lure some autonomy. Another perk of these connectors is they make swapping out lures and leaders much easier.
I hope you have found this article helpful and has given you a reason to try out a fishing leader.
Founder & Angler 
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