Question for bank drift fisherman

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I have never used more than 3 feet of leader for drift fishing steelhead. I am always in the 24-36 inch range.

[KopperBuck]

Yea I haven't either and that's why I asked. I was reading about all these guys using such long leader lengths but I was use any where from a foot and half to two feet. I have to say eggs all the way for me. I haven't tried out yarn balls but I should. I hear it help set the hook because the yarn gets stuck in their teeth. Has that been the truth for you?

Nahh, at least not that I could tell. All corner sets, never seen yarn teeth. Just like the drift and action. Like I said, I'm just horrible with eggs - don't have a good cure, and even the good ones I bum eggs from I just don't have confidence in. I like to be able to mix up several 3-4 color combos with the yarn balls and add scent. Just like any other type of fishing for me, all confidence. JO - maybe we should meet up sometime. Have yet to hit the T since I moved to WW. Usually fish the GR, going to make a trip here again soon.

[huntnnw]

I use only a bead or corky..no cure on roe for steelies..fresh from the fish or Borax eggs

[JODakota]

oh dude seriously fresh eggs like as in right out of the fish are THEE best bait! My god man if I get a hen the first thing I do is cure those eggs in borax. Ten minutes later their on the hook! Oh and I just use a corky with them, no scent, yarn or anything else.

[Dhoey07]

People use 4' leaders or longer for one reason, to floss fish. 

[Bone_Collector]

Sorry to disagree with you about the leaders Fords07 but I use thousands of leaders a year and they are all between 4.5 to 5.5ft long I have seen flossing leaders and they tend to be on the 7 to 10 foot side! The leaders are that are 4.5 to 5.5 tend to create a more natural drift with the baits be it roe yarn or something else. Shorter leaders have their place ie murky water or small shallow streams. With murky water the fish tend to be in closer to the shore and if you have to long of a leader your bait will never make it down to where the fish are holding or traveling. The same also holds true for small shallow creeks and streams if your leaders are to long your presentation will never make it down to where the fish are, instead it will just pass over the top of the fish.

How ever if you use too short of leader in low clear water the fish will be spooked away from your offering because it will be presented in an unnatural drift.

B_C

[huntnnw]

not a chance I would ever use 24" leader in a clear river bouncing for metalheads...8lb maxima and sometimes 6lb

[carpsniperg2]

Sorry to disagree with you about the leaders Fords07 but I use thousands of leaders a year and they are all between 4.5 to 5.5ft long I have seen flossing leaders and they tend to be on the 7 to 10 foot side! The leaders are that are 4.5 to 5.5 tend to create a more natural drift with the baits be it roe yarn or something else. Shorter leaders have their place ie murky water or small shallow streams. With murky water the fish tend to be in closer to the shore and if you have to long of a leader your bait will never make it down to where the fish are holding or traveling. The same also holds true for small shallow creeks and streams if your leaders are to long your presentation will never make it down to where the fish are, instead it will just pass over the top of the fish.

How ever if you use too short of leader in low clear water the fish will be spooked away from your offering because it will be presented in an unnatural drift.

B_C

That is spot on with what my thoughts are. I have seen guys run  a lot of shot leaders and have crappy luck. Most of mine are around 4 ft

[huntnnw]

People use 4' leaders or longer for one reason, to floss fish. 

nope! I use 36-42" leaders almost all the time and I do not floss fish EVER!

[Dhoey07]

People use 4' leaders or longer for one reason, to floss fish. 

nope! I use 36-42" leaders almost all the time and I do not floss fish EVER!

4'=48" 

[TommyH]

People use 4' leaders or longer for one reason, to floss fish. 

nope! I use 36-42" leaders almost all the time and I do not floss fish EVER!

4'=48" 

  diffrent rivers/diffrent flow/diffrent conditions/diffrent fish/...............diffrent liter lengths!! 4 foot is not uncommon. or imho not flossing, I dont live on that side of the Mtns.!

[6x6in6]

24-28 is my norm.
If the water gets less than 24" visibility then I will shorten it up a bit but not really less than 20.
If I feel like I have to go less than that because of visibility, I go home and try again another day.

[huntnnw]

People use 4' leaders or longer for one reason, to floss fish. 

nope! I use 36-42" leaders almost all the time and I do not floss fish EVER!

4'=48" 

really..thanks I didnt know 

[BigGoonTuna]

not a chance I would ever use 24" leader in a clear river bouncing for metalheads...8lb maxima and sometimes 6lb

you're giving those fish more credit than they deserve.  about the most deadly summer run setup out there is a sand shrimp tail with a split shot about 8" above the hook.

[huntnnw]

Dont work on this side of the Mountains.all it takes is 6-8 mm bead and a #4 hook...deadly over here