From the boardroom to the battlefield, the leader can be the difference between winning and losing. The same can be said about fishing: leader selection is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, keys to catching fish.

Unfortunately, too many anglers have never learned the importance of a good leader.

Why use a leader? The simplest answer is that no one type of fishing line is perfect, and adding a leader to your rig will help overcome some of your main line’s deficiencies. For example, braid has become one of the most popular materials for fishing line.

Its strength-to-diameter ratio is excellent, it has far less memory and, with almost zero stretch, provides extreme sensitivity. However it is also very visible in the water and is not as abrasion-resistant as other materials. To counter this, anglers will add fluoro or mono leader.

Both materials are less visible in the water and with increased stretch, act as a shock absorber as a fish takes your bait or lure.

But as with everything in this world, not all leaders are created equal. Let’s look at some of the most common mistakes anglers make with selecting a leader, and how to correct those mistakes before they cost you a fish.

THE WRONG MATERIAL FOR THE LEADER

While both fluoro and mono are suitable leader materials, there are times when one is better than the other. Monofilament has the most stretch and floats the best. This makes it an excellent choice when fishing topwaters or targeting large, aggressive fish.

Fluorocarbon sinks and has more stretch than brain but less than mono. For these reasons, it is best when fishing below the surface or when hookset is a concern.

USING THE WRONG CONNECTION IS RISKY

Every connection point adds a potential failure point. Your knot or hardware must be strong enough for your target fish. Practice tying knots and tie them correctly. This helps avoid losing fish.

WRONG SIZE LEADER

Generally, your leader should be 5 to 10 feet in length and slightly smaller in strength than your mainline. This last point can be confusing because the leader material may be larger in diameter than the main line braid, yet its breaking strength is still lower.

The lower breaking point allows the lure to break free without sacrificing large amounts of your mainline. Adding a new leader is always easier than respooling a reel.

NOT INSPECTING THE LEADER REGULARLY

While your mainline may get a workout when fighting a big fish, your leader is being abused every cast. This leader is what contacts rocks, obstructions and a fish’s sharp teeth. Eventually, small nicks will develop into large, weak points.

Inspect your leader frequently, every few casts, and after each fish is fought. Change whenever you see or suspect damage.

By making a few small changes as you fish, you will soon realize what armies throughout history have known: a good leader can make all the difference.