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Making a simple leader for carp fishing with braided line is ideal for a beginner angler. We have seen it in a previous article . But quickly, the desire or the need to upgrade your leader comes to the fore. With the same materials as for a simple braided leader, it is easy to make a combined leader.
What is a combination leader?
A combination leader is a leader composed of a flexible part and a rigid or semi-rigid part. A combination leader made of coated braid has the semi-rigidity of the coating and the flexibility of the braid (without coating).
By stripping the coating over a few centimeters, we create mobility (increased freedom of the bait/hook assembly) while keeping an important resistance. This type of leader has taken an incalculable number of carp from the most naive to the most educated.
Which material to make a combination leader?
I recommend a sheathed braid. In a previous article on this subject, I praised the evolutionary side of such a material. Here we are! It allows you to make simple and efficient leaders, but also more technical leaders that respond to specific situations and conditions.
In addition, it is a fairly easy to use material that combines a certain flexibility in the making, but also presents sufficient rigidity in many situations (casts, undesirable in small quantitiesâ?¦). For this purpose, the X-WRAP Soft braid from Starbaits is perfect.
How do I go about it?
We make a leader with a knot without a knot and make up the leader/vein set with the same material, stripping part of the braid on the other hand. A length of 25 cm will be versatile. As for the simple leader, no unnecessary tricks. Even if it is perfected, a leader must be simple and quick to make.
And the hook in all this? Mounted in the simplest of ways, even for a combination leader, I recommend a hook with a slightly recessed eye and a fairly large shank. The Curved Shank Starbaits in #6 is the model you need. This size will cope with many waters. It will even allow you to fish with a dense, loose (floating) or snowman (dense + floating) bait. Basically, it's the choice of simplicity for versatility and efficiency. Top to realize many setups.
The necessary material
A braid sheathed in 25 lbs, a n°6 hook, a bait stop, a chaste needle and a long anti-fisherman sleeve to hold your leader on your swivel (universal clip), a pair of scissors and a lighter.
The steps to make a combined leader
1- Cut 35 cm of sheathed braid. Even if your leader will be 25 cm, you must have some excess to make the loops and the knot without knot.
2- Strip 15/20 cm of coated braid. To do this, pinch with your teeth at the beginning of the stripping then remove the coating by pinching and sliding with your nails.
3- Make a small loop (braid without coating). It will be the terminal part of your hair and will receive the bait stop.
4- Start by baiting the chosen bait. Insert your bait stop in the loop and push your bait to the stop. This way, you will not be surprised when you are at the water's edge. The hair will be the right size.
5- Pass the end of your braid through the outside of the eyelet. Set your bait so that there is a slight gap between the curve of your hook and the bait.
6- Once the bait is set, make the knot without a knot by turning your braid in turns around the shank without crossing and then go back through the eyelet from the outside (if not set upside down). Make your turns up to the level of the tip of the hook.
7- Insert your anti-fisherman sleeve then make your loop to attach your leader to a swivel with a quick attachment for example.
To fish with a floating bait, simply pinch a split shot at the joint between the soft part and the semi-hard part and compress some lead paste into it.
Your single braided leader has evolved into a combination leader that combines semi-rigidity and flexibility.
