With the high cost of fishing leaders, it is fun and a way to save some cash by making your own. A crimper, some crimps, swivels, split rings, cross-lock snaps, or Stay-lok snaps are needed. I normally start with either wire, fluorocarbon, or mono to make the leader. Wire of course is necessary when battlling toothy critters such as tigerfish. Fluorocarbon is virtually invisible. However it sinks causing baits to run deep, whereas mono suspends in the water. Fluorocarbon is expensive whereas mono is fairly cheap. Fluorocarbon is more abrasion resistant than mono but has little stretch. Mono acts more like a shock absorber. Mono will weaken over time in water whereas fluorocarbon has zero water absorption thus maintaining line strength. All have advantages so I suggest making some with all 3 options. The other choice is to use a fixed ring, cross-lock snap, or stay-lok snap to attach your lure. All three have an advantage but I feel the fixed ring gives the best strength and is less apt to fail. I also use SPRO Power swivels to attach the main line to the leader.
So when making your own leader it can be constructed at what ever length you desire. I normally cut a section from 12 to 18 inches. I then add a suitable size crimp then attach the SPRO Power swivel. Run the leader material through the crimp, through the swivel, then back through the crimp. Use a crimpler to apply pressure on the crimp. On the other end repete the same as above but this time use the fixed ring or snap.
I recently have been making many leaders for my upcoming Papua New Guinea trip. Have been using 300lbs SPRO power swivels, fixed rings with a 400lbs rating and have used 200lbs fluorocarbon, 300lbs mono, and 135lbs wire.
So making your own leaders can save lots of money to use on your favorite fishing lures!
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