Leader for Flathead on SP's

[Screamin Semen]

Just getting into Flathead on soft plastics recently and wondering what lb fluorocarbon leaders you are all using on your outfits? I need it to be able to handle big flathead when the time comes ;D

Using 8lb braid on a Stradic Ci4 2500.

Thanks in advance!

SS

[castamasta]

Hi ss
12LB nitlon FC, could go heavier if you wanted
Cheers,Gav..

[Mossy247]

Majority of my fish come via either a 10lb or 12lb leader. Have got my biggest on 6lb FC leader. I go as light as I can in all applications of fishing plastics. I tend not to go over 12lb unless I am going offshore and most times I use 12lb. I would say safe to use 12lb for there teeth/getting caught up in their spikes etc I think alot more are lost when people get them to the boat allowing their head to come out of the water most times shaking loose or rolling over on themselves and the leader.
tight lines - Mossy

[Stik-ugly]

12 lb is about the maximum that I use in Sunline FC Rock

[Tailortaker]

My Flathead gear has 6 lb braid and 6lb FC leader. i have landed some half decent ones on my bream gear too which is 3lb. I like to fish as light as possible and just take it easy when in a fight with a lizard.
Cheers, TT

[Screamin Semen]

Cheers for the replies guys, also what length leader do you all use?

Cheers SS :D

[Mossy247]

Cheers for the replies guys, also what length leader do you all use?Cheers SS :D
I usually fish with about 2/2.5 meters of FC leader. I cop alot of frays and that with some fish so easy to snip off and re-tie the jig on.
Save redoing leaders every so often.

[Tailortaker]

Depends on the structure around where your fishing but i usually use just over a rod lenght so the knot is at your fingertip when casting.

[Screamin Semen]

Having the FC leader run through the guides does not affect the casting distance? Mostly be fishing the sand banks etc.

Cheers SS :)

[Mossy247]

As long as your knots aren't overly bulky you shouldn't have any issues with the knots hitting the leaders on the casts. I sometimes get knots for the tag of the knot but thats because I didn't trim it as well as I should of. Shouldn't loose to much in casting distance. I would start with a 8-10lb fluro leader and see how it hold up.
cheers - Mossy

[kingcray]

Hey SS i use 6lb fins with 8lb fc leader.. i have lost lots of big flatties from the first big headshake when they are hooked. So i go up to 12-15lb n dont get nearly as many hits. I just stick with the 8lb, still catch and land more than you will lose jus gotta let em swim how they want. Dont try scull em in

Cheers Deano

[Jackson 53]

I use Nitlon FC in 10 or 12 lb for Flathead - usually about a rod length. I lost a cracker Flathead on 6lb when it swallowed a 100mm Bloodworm Wriggler while I was fishing for Whiting. Its head never broke the surface - just too much abrasion across the bottom jaw with the headshakes.

[Funchy]

Hey SS
I find 6lb nano and 9lb leader a really good balance. Any heavier and you just dont get as many hit. Ensure you check your leader after every fish or bite. I use a carefully tied uni knot and it cast beautifully. Leader is length of rod. Good luck mate.

[Yellowjack]

i use 6lb nano and 6lb nitlon fc - nothing like a bit curry

[Linedropper]

6 leader and 8 braid. Hit a snag and you bust the leader just tie a new jig on.

[malby]

My Son, mates and I have caught a good few decent flatties over the past year up to 79 being my PB which I caught on a hardbody but for all of my hardbody and plastic work I use approx 7-10lb braid and 10 pound FC Rock leader (and the el-chaepo Mojiko leader which seems to have worked a treat of late) and since doing 2 things regularly I have not lost a fish in ages. 1. I make sure my drag is as loose as possible...just enough to set the hook and...2. Always keep the rod tip under the water and pull the flattie under if it tries to break the surface and never bring one in green. Let it run a bit whilst on the soft drag to wear it down. Oh and ditto to the comment someone else made re changing your leader or at least checking it after a good fish. And re the length of leader I have it just short enough to cast so it does not need to travel through the guides. That way the knot stays in top condition. I also changed my drag washers to carbontex which gives me much better and smoother control. In fact I've changed nearly all of my smaller spinning reels to carbontex especially the daiwa sol's and now they are awesome. Now all I need to do is turn all of this knowledge into producing some decent snapper and sweetlip etc on the inner reefs this winter!!?? Still trying to crack the 55 mark??!!!### Sad case I know!
79993

[HeadBanger]

I generally fish between 10 and 15lb leader. I don't think they care too much about leader size though, as I have caught my pb 66cm while casting lures for jacks with 40lb fluorocarbon leader.

[tunaticer]

Wading I use 6lb braid and 6lb DFC leader. For flatties i run about 1.5m of leader on the first tie and run it down to about 80cm before i throw a new one on.
Yak work i up the leader to 8lb DFC simply becuase every fish will be lifted into the yak.
Boat i run between 6lb and 14lb leader depending on the location and bycatch chances