Fluoro / Mono Shark Leaders?
#1

What are Northeast guys thoughts on using Mono / Fluoro leaders instead of wire cable /windons when fishing for sharks?
Any difference in hookup ratio/takes? Recommendations/advice? Drag setting?
Thanks so much,
Leo
Any difference in hookup ratio/takes? Recommendations/advice? Drag setting?
Thanks so much,
Leo
#2
Admirals Club 


I run 3-4 rods when I go sharking, unless its was a tourney I pretty much 100% of the time use doubled up 400lb mono with a large circle hook instead of wire. Its just easier to handle and easier on release. I haven't lost a shark yet due to the mono breaking, with the circle hooks pretty much every hook has been in the corner of the jaw. I pre-tie them all up in advance, we usually carry 20-30 pre-tied a trip. The only downside with mono is generally its pretty nicked up after one shark, so we change it out to another pre-tied rig and save all the hardware to make a new one when we get back. We've landed threshers, makos, hammerheads and more blues than you count last year using it and with a 6ft dehooker we get back about 90% of the hooks as well. Now if I were in a tourney or wanted to make sure we got a mako/thresher for the table, I would use wire.
#3
Senior Member




I made a bunch with #500 mono, and 20/0 circle hooks for this season based on this video from Reaper Fishing NJ. They came out great and I'm looking forward to using them.
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#5

I use 920# mono leaders, about 8 - 10' long with corkscrew swivels. I make up a bunch of 3' wire hook leaders with big circle hooks, 22/0 or so, with haywire twist loops and just thread the loop end onto the corkscrew swivel. I just snip the wire to release the shark. I don't see any point in even trying to get a circle hook out of the jaw. With J hooks you stood a chance of getting it out with a good tool, but no way am I putting my hands that close to the business end of a shark.




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#6
Senior Member

- Last few years I have switched to mono. Way more hook ups. Have broken lines but no leaders. Been using 600# but plan to try 400# this year. With circle hooks, line is in corner of mouth away from teeth so not getting cut by jaws. I think ot gives a more natural presentation, is easier to rig and easier in the hands when you need to leader a fish in
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#7
Admirals Club





We sell Shark leaders with 600lb Mono. Going too heavy will often have too much line memory and the leader is like a big spring.
The "pigtail" is about 3-4' long and with an 18/0 Circle hook.

The "pigtail" is about 3-4' long and with an 18/0 Circle hook.

#8
Admirals Club 


I made a bunch with #500 mono, and 20/0 circle hooks for this season based on this video from Reaper Fishing NJ. They came out great and I'm looking forward to using them.
https://youtu.be/LhXPAh23mKI
https://youtu.be/LhXPAh23mKI
#9
Senior Member





WE use 400-530 wind-on @ 23' with a sampo snap or corkscrew style THen the bite leader will be 5' with the hook 16/0 and up. This allows the angler to reel the fish up to the bite leader while still having a long leader that is igfa compliant in case of a line class record/tournament fish. The safety of not having a loose heavy leader is a much better way than a 10 or 15' sectioned leader that might hang up on loose gear or worse a person
#11
Senior Member


If you leave a long tag end on the mono you can twist the leader a few times before crimping the second crimp, it gives you a length of twisted (so it doesn’t open) double leader. 10-20/0 inline circle hooks wind up in the corner of the mouth every time, well almost every time.
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#12
Admirals Club 


Leo,
When we shark fish we start with a Bimini in our main line. That gets connected to a 400lb mono windon leader via a loop to loop connection.
the Wind on is cut to 18 foot, at the end of the windon is a aussie style 200-400lb swivel, Using wire a haywire twist gets tied on one end, which connects to your swivel, about 3-5 foot of wire to a 14/0-16/0 circle hook.
We shorten the leader to be sure we are well within IGFA rules, and so the 400 can actually get onto the reel.
Remember federal law requires the use of Circle hooks when targeting sharks (with natural bait).
Hope this helps!
When we shark fish we start with a Bimini in our main line. That gets connected to a 400lb mono windon leader via a loop to loop connection.
the Wind on is cut to 18 foot, at the end of the windon is a aussie style 200-400lb swivel, Using wire a haywire twist gets tied on one end, which connects to your swivel, about 3-5 foot of wire to a 14/0-16/0 circle hook.
We shorten the leader to be sure we are well within IGFA rules, and so the 400 can actually get onto the reel.
Remember federal law requires the use of Circle hooks when targeting sharks (with natural bait).
Hope this helps!
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#13
Senior Member

What happens if the shark jumps and lands on your main line? All these heavy mono leaders are short soo what happens if a shark rolls or jumps and makes his way onto your mainline; no one worries about that?
#14
Senior Member


15ft 300lb mono wind on with 5ft of wire to a 20/0 circle hook. Very successful chartering with this setup and safe for wireman. I have tried the heavier mono wind on but 300lb felt best and didn’t change the setup.
Awhiptailadventure.com.
Awhiptailadventure.com.