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Boat TackleFish Talk, Lure Talk, Rigging Talk
Wahoo Shock Leader & The Truth
07
Sep
Sep
What the Dealio?
Why are all these people always buying Wahoo Shock Leaders and do I need them?
The short answer is: Yes you Do!
But, its best to take a closer look and to analyze this in more detail. In our opinion, a shock leader is only required when used in conjunction with trolling weights .
The size of the leader should be chosen based on the size of the trolling weights and the size gear (tackle) used on the rod and reel setup.
In my opinion they are honestly a little pain in the butt to use. More things to tie, crimp, carry etc. But the fact is, they work. There is no doubt in my mind that all Wahoo fishermen will give themselves a competitive advantage if they add a shock leader and trolling weight into their spread. This keeps the lure down (most important) but also changes the angle the lure is running at which in some cases can help the lure to run smoother.
Wahoo Shock Leaders combined with trolling weights just allow for another variable to be covered in your trolling spread. I can’t count how many times we have been out after Wahoo and the first reel to scream with a wahoo on was the one with a 36 oz trolling weight, a 250 lbs shock leader, and a desperado series lure or wahoo clipper (bullet style weight balanced resin head.) It is not always the first to go, but I would say over 50% of the time it is, and this is in a spread of 6 or 7 lines.
But then, once we find them, other lures seem to go consistently, but for whatever reason the weighted one seems to more often than not be the first strike. I have had clients tell me to put weights on every line after they see the difference. Of course I have to explain that would be a big mess and it won’t necessarily produce more fish, but the point is there are times when the trolling weight is the key.
I am not sure if it is just me, but I have noticed the weights work better than non-weighted in cooler waters relative to the days or weeks prior. I am not sure why that is, but it seems that when the water is cooling weights are better and as the water is warming it doesn’t seem to make that much of a difference. Just an observation that we are now putting more time into testing.
If you have thoughts on the matter, we would love to hear from you. Just feel free to comment below.
The image used in this post was a great story caught by one of our pro staff out of Florida Captain Chris Morrison
So when should I use a leader and trolling weight and when shouldn’t I?
In my opinion they are honestly a little pain in the butt to use. More things to tie, crimp, carry etc. But the fact is, they work. There is no doubt in my mind that all Wahoo fishermen will give themselves a competitive advantage if they add a shock leader and trolling weight into their spread. This keeps the lure down (most important) but also changes the angle the lure is running at which in some cases can help the lure to run smoother.
Wahoo Shock Leaders combined with trolling weights just allow for another variable to be covered in your trolling spread. I can’t count how many times we have been out after Wahoo and the first reel to scream with a wahoo on was the one with a 36 oz trolling weight, a 250 lbs shock leader, and a desperado series lure or wahoo clipper (bullet style weight balanced resin head.) It is not always the first to go, but I would say over 50% of the time it is, and this is in a spread of 6 or 7 lines.
But then, once we find them, other lures seem to go consistently, but for whatever reason the weighted one seems to more often than not be the first strike. I have had clients tell me to put weights on every line after they see the difference. Of course I have to explain that would be a big mess and it won’t necessarily produce more fish, but the point is there are times when the trolling weight is the key.
I am not sure if it is just me, but I have noticed the weights work better than non-weighted in cooler waters relative to the days or weeks prior. I am not sure why that is, but it seems that when the water is cooling weights are better and as the water is warming it doesn’t seem to make that much of a difference. Just an observation that we are now putting more time into testing.
If you have thoughts on the matter, we would love to hear from you. Just feel free to comment below.
The image used in this post was a great story caught by one of our pro staff out of Florida Captain Chris Morrison
