shockleader and line

[finding nemo]

Whats the advantage of a lighter mono line when you are adding a shock leader between the rig and line?
Surely the breaking strain of the mono wouldn't make much of a difference then.

And if the weed is heavy how can you avoid picking weed off your shock leader knot for most of the session?
Would you go with a heavier line and no leader?

any tips here would be great.

Cheers

[paul mason]

Your answer is in your post (shock) leader. There are many benefits to using lighter lines!!! and to use lighter lines you'll need a shock leader. .35 diameter line is standard on most venues around Ireland unless you're fishing rough ground. Casting a 6oz lead you'll need at least 60lb breaking strain line for safety reasons. 60lb line straight through on any reel would not be viable!!! Less line capacity on your reels, less casting distance, less controllable on multi reels, more drag in the tide and more likely to pick up weed.
Try tapered shock leader less likely to pick up weed on the leader knot. Leader knots can do you a favour and stop the weed running down the leader and onto your trace and covering your baits. If the weed is that bad that its stopping you from fishing then go and watch UTD on the telly!!!
When fishing on weedy beaches most of the weed congregates around the first 10yds, so keep your line out of this area, you'll need a tripod big enough to keep your rod up high and out of this area, you line must be kept taught at all times.

[The Austrian]

no better answer than Paul's, I so totally agree However, feel free to consult Google (or any of the popular search engines) but I would advise you to just trust an experts hands on experience and knowledge you wont find any better hints!

[finding nemo]

thanks lads makes sense alrite.

If the weed is that bad that its stopping you from fishing then go and watch UTD on the telly!!!

best points ive seen utd drop all season

[jellybait]

Any try a dab of super glue on their shockleader knot ?

[lugworm]

Any try a dab of super glue on their shockleader knot ?

only for a blob knot...........

[samo]

you can try a tapered line which is a line that will start at around 10lb and run up to 50 or 60lb there is no knot so you wont get that big build up of weed. i pick up mine in the tackle shop in Greystones.

only problem is that if the line snaps you will have to tie a new leader on however you could use a tapered leader which will make the knot smaller. you can buy tapered leaders in most tackle shops.

[finding nemo]

 
you can try a tapered line which is a line that will start at around 10lb and run up to 50 or 60lb there is no knot so you wont get that big build up of weed. i pick up mine in the tackle shop in Greystones.

only problem is that if the line snaps you will have to tie a new leader on however you could use a tapered leader which will make the knot smaller. you can buy tapered leaders in most tackle shops.

I was using tapered leader with this knot which is quite neat but still managed to rack up enough weed to jam in the eye.
Then the rig was still in the surf collecting more weed.

Mind the eye on the rod is quite small so maybe another rod with larger rings for when the weed is bad could be an option.

http://www.planetseafishing.com/tutoria ... ader-knot/

[paul mason]

 
you can try a tapered line which is a line that will start at around 10lb and run up to 50 or 60lb there is no knot so you wont get that big build up of weed. i pick up mine in the tackle shop in Greystones.

only problem is that if the line snaps you will have to tie a new leader on however you could use a tapered leader which will make the knot smaller. you can buy tapered leaders in most tackle shops.

I was using tapered leader with this knot which is quite neat but still managed to rack up enough weed to jam in the eye.
Then the rig was still in the surf collecting more weed.

Mind the eye on the rod is quite small so maybe another rod with larger rings for when the weed is bad could be an option.

http://www.planetseafishing.com/tutoria ... ader-knot/

When your line gets jammed at the leader knot with weed walk back up the beach and get your trace out of the water. Weed on the leader knot is unavoidable just get used to fishing with it!!!The weed is better on the knot than on your reel, have a spare rod handy and pick the weed off at leisure.

[roger de dodger]

i tried 40 lb straight through on a fixed spool set up for rough stuff ,after a few casts it wound up in knots ,it didnt cast well at all prob cutting down my distance by half or more i use a 525 with 20 lb line and an ordinary shock leader instead,as for weed if its that bad i just move ,it can be a nightmare during a comp ive had to hold my rod on occasions to keep the line up high enough not good for the back !!! a short shock leader can help sometimes (ie 8 turns on the reel and just the bare minimum for your drop) less running backwards up the beach if your knot gets jammed