SICK OF LOSING YOUR SINKERS WHEN CASTING?
Shock Leader knot- for cushioning the load when casting
Leader knots and shock Leader knots for Tieing monofilament line to braided line
The shockleader knot is tied by using a length of monofilament leader material tied line to line a few wraps down around the spool where the knot is well insulated from the stress of the cast. A shock leader protects the leader / line knot from the load of the cast by keeping it on the spool, which is far more punishing to the the knot then anything a fish might do.
The shock leader is just a piece of heavier fishing line that is tied to a smaller line and handles the weight of the sinker during the cast. The shock leader knot absorbs the load weight of a heavier sinker and allows you to throw safely with more force getting greater distance and accuracy with each cast. If your going to be throwing the weight hard figure 10 pounds for every ounce your casting, for normal surf casting a 50 pound test line for the shock leader will be enough. The length of the shock leader will depend on the rod, usually the shock leader is from 9 to 15 feet long, just make sure it goes around the reel spool about 5 times. This is to insulate the line from the stress of the cast. (More than 20 feet disqualifies you from an IGFA record) * - Everybody has their own favorite knots to join the shock leader to the running line. If you need a knot that won't break make an 8 to 12 inch loop in your smaller running line with Bimini Twist and use the loop as a doubled running line to attach it to the shock leader with a back to back Uni-Knot or Improved Blood Knot. You can use a Uni-Knot to tie on your swivel.
Simpler and yet effective way to tie on a shock leader is to use the modified albright knot. Or you can use the following method. I've not had this knot fail on me. Shockleader knot to use when joining large diameter line to a thin diameter line The shok leader I also use this shock leader knot for just tying the leader to the main line when i dont want a swivel. How to tie a shock leader knot
Shock Leader knot
This knot has a very slim profile and will easily travel through your guides. Its simply called the shock leader knot.
Step 1: Tie an overhand (Granny) knot in the heavy trace material and pass your lighter main line through.
Step 2: Pull the overhand knot in the heavy line tightly closed. Take four or five turns around the heavy line with the light.
Step 3: Pass the light line back through the first loop as shown. Lubricate with saliva and pull tight. Trim end to about 2mm.
Use a length of heavier nylon at the working end of your main line. The shock leader should be about 2 to 2 and half times the length of your rod. The weight of shock leader line should generally be two or three times the breaking strain of your main line.
We use what is called a "tapered" shock leader which is approximately 20 lb at one end (which attaches to the main line) and about 40 to 70 lb at the sinker end. This allows for smoother travel through the guides on your rod..
Form a circle in the leader and push the main line through.
Now you must tighten the leader side so that it is very small and neat.
Form a circle in the main line - trap that under your thumb.
The loose end goes through six or seven times -try and lay those line through coils neatly.
Pull that side of the knot together then draw both sides of the knot together.
The leader is trimmed within 3 millimeters of the leader.
On the main line side you want to trim it as close as you can so you leave about 1 millimeter on the end of the knot.
Twisted Leader Knot For Use as a shock leader
The twisted leader knot is the most reliable join when a single strand of super line needs to be attached to a monofilament leader. Care should be taken to make sure ample twists are made with the braid line around the monofilament leader. Also that no slack line or loops develop as the knot is tightened. This join handles shock better than the Bimini Twist and therefore tends to retain the breaking strain, when jerked suddenly, better. This primarily because of the stretch provided the join by the monofilament.
These were all tested with 65lbd Power Pro to 80lbd momoi diamond mono.
The Albright knot - broke at 50 lbds at the knot.
Uni-Uni knot - broke at 55 lbds at the knot.
Sebile knot - broke at 70 lbds and this was on the power pro portion that wrapped around the post.
Results - by far the Sebile knot is the best connection that we have found for braid to mono....Other than that, we will use crimps on all other mono's over 80 pounds.. Another great knot for the shock leader is the sebile knot or also known as the fg knot. here is a You tube demonstration of the fg knot.
More on knots on the Saltwater Tackle and gear forum.
Knot instruction
IGFA Leader Qualification Updated Feb 2008
* Saltwater species: In all line classes up to and including 20 lb (10 kg), the leader shall be limited to 15 feet (4.57meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 20 feet (6.1 meters). The leader on all classes of tackle over 20 lb (10 kg) shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall be limited to 40 feet (12.19 meters).Freshwater species: The leader on all classes of tackle shall be limited to 6 feet (1.82 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 10 feet (3.04 meters).