So I read the thread about “no jig furled leaders” and like several others decided to try it out. I went into the garage and grabbed some line and started twisting, and like the others ran into problems with the ends twisting on themselves and each other. So being the stubborn problem solver I am I grabbed the 6ft step ladder and tried again. Got a couple of usable leaders for my efforts. Now the question-
WHY THE SMEG DID I LISTEN TO YOU FOLKS??? Why did I spend 30 minutes doing this? With my casting ability I can’t tell the difference between straight 6lb mono, a furled leader or salvaged copper line. You all should be ashamed of yourselves for encouraging such time wasting activities. If I keep following this site, tying, rod building etc, etc, my wife may ban me from it.
I didn’t time it, but the 5’er I tied on Sunday certainly seemed to take a half hour. I’m hoping speed improves quickly because I really liked the turnover.
Life’s a series of trade-offs. If I can put a knotted leader together in 12 minutes, the extra time for the twisted leader isn’t worth it.
A twisted leader thread is going on on another board I participate on. A guy who’s been using this method awhile says he timed himself last night. Did a 5 1/2 ’ er in 7 minutes. THAT’s a win-win.
I’ve never fished a true furled leader. I have made the twisted ones in a timely manner. The real question for me is that I can buy close out knotless tappered leaders for close to $.50 each. Last year when Rio changed out a line and dropped the Mainstream name I bought close to 48 leaders. I keep them away from heat and out of the sun. I looked at making knotted leaders, buying a Dennison blood knot tool and all of the different diameters of Maxxima Chameleon. The numbers still didn’t add up for me. While I can make twisted leaders cheap, how many can you really use? I fish less than some but still put 60+ days on the water the last 3 seasons. For me I would rather be fishing than making leaders.