Okay so I have 2 questions.
If I’m using 20lb line can I use heavier leader on it?
If I have a 20lb rod can I use heavier line than 20? Will it break the rod? Say 30? And what if I do use 20lb as my main line but I use 30 as a leader line, is that fine?
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by LORDKuufu
Fellow beginner, so be warned ;-)
I carp (generally targeting 10-30lb fish) with a 2.25lb rod with 30lb mainline and 6-10lb leader. Mainly so if I get a break it'll happen in the leader and the fish has a better chance of shedding the rig.
Never had any issue. Its important to not over power your rod though. If I get snagged I lock off, point my rod straight and walk backwards so the strain is all in the line and reel. No risk to the rod and I imagine your reel is a lot stronger than your line.
So I don't think there's anything inherently wrong about using a heavier line than your rod's strength, provided it suits your situation and you understand how to manage it.
As for a heavier leader than mainline, I've not done so myself but I know plenty of people do it for improved abrasion resistance against rocks and sharp teeth.
So again, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong in doing so if you account for the risks.
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by Ollotopus
Yea, I fish saltwater and I was thinking of getting a heavier leader line to prevent snapping off from the fish biting my line and also there are tons of rocks. Thanks for the information!
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by LORDKuufu
My reel has around 16 lbs of drag, should I use 15lb line instead of 20 because of this?
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by LORDKuufu
You can use a heavier leader, but it's not the greatest idea. Leaders are meant to be weaker than your main line so if it breaks, the leader is likely to break first, saving you money and leaving less line in the water. With a heavier leader than your main line, you never know where itll break so you may lose a bunch of main line and the fish is swimming around with it still attached for some time. There are other reasons for using lighter leaders of course m, thinner so the fish is less likely to see it, knots go through the guides easier, etc etc.
If the rod is capable of using up to 20lb line, using heavier line will mean you may not get as good a cast. The line weight is a general guideline dependant on the size and design of the guides. Bigger guides means heavier line can be used. The weight of your line will also depend on your reel, as using heavier line means the reel can hold less of it. If you need heavier main line, considering using braid. If I recall correctly, 40 to 50lb braid is the same diameter as 20lb mono.
You can definitely use heavier line than your drag system is capable of it's actually ideal since the drag is lower than your main line, the drag will let line out before your line hits its breaking strength. Most reels have a maximum drag lower than its recommended max weight line anyways
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by oOorolo
Almost all inshore fishing is done with a heavier leader than main line because of toothy fish and sharp fins, no problem. Heavy line will not hurt or break rod or reel. Bass fisherman use 50-65 lb braid on low profile baitcasters all the time for fishing a frog. About line breaking in middle only if you have a nick or cut in line most of breaks are at the knot. So your heavy leader will usually break where you joined them together because very, very few of us can tie two lines together as strong as the line strength.
Almost all inshore fishing is done with a heavier leader than main line because of toothy fish and sharp fins, no problem. Heavy line will not hurt or break rod or reel. Bass fisherman use 50-65 lb braid on low profile baitcasters all the time for fishing a frog. About line breaking in middle only if you have a nick or cut in line most of breaks are at the knot. So your heavy leader will usually break where you joined them together because very, very few of us can tie two lines together as strong as the line strength.
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