Hoochie Leader Survey

[Cariboospeed]

While reading all your posts I can't help to wonder why everyone is using such heavy line for 4-6# fish at best.

I use 8# for everything on my fresh water rods. I might have 6# on my ice rig...
I have trouble seeing and tying knots in finer line.

 

[SuperD]

I use 10 lbs leader everywhere but tied some in 12 lbs last year just for Flaming Gorge. I was burned by a tackle manufacturer that uses, light / cheap line on a couple nice fish at FG last June. I'll be more dilligent at swapping out factory leaders for my own this year. You know how it is when you start hitting the bite hard and just want to get the line back in the water. I got lazy a few times and paid the price.

 

[smokin' Kokes]

i get better hoochie action and more bites with the stiff 10 or 15lb florocarbon than even the limper mono.
don't be shy about mixing it up though on lb. test and leader length especially for hoochies, sometimes just a small change in action is all it takes to tip the timid biters over the edge into sockeye piranha on a feeding frenzy

my days of tying complex knots in 2 or 4lb line or tippets is over, even the strongest bifocals don't cut it.
like super D, i've been burned on the import tied leaders and lures.
lost a Chinook over 60 on the Columbia 25 years ago due import leaders.

 

[Taildancer]

Thanks, Smokin' Kokes, I'll try upgrading to at least 10 lb test flourocarbon this season to see if it helps on getting more bites. I use 8 lb most of the time (flouro) and a little bit longer than most reports on this thread.