Does anyone have an explanation on why most people use such short leaders, what does everyone prefer??

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It's all in the water, and the method of presentation. Faster pocket water requires a shorter leader to get the presentation down immediately, so it isn't out of the drift before your bait gets near the bottom.

If you're side drifting you want a long (4-6ft) leader so your bait floats along with less influence from your lead touching bottom.

Another time you'll see short leaders in use is chum fishing at river and creek mouths. This is so that your offering floats up into the fish zone when your weight is just resting on the bottom.

I'll use leaders anywhere from 18" to 6 feet in length, depending on the water conditions and what tactics I'm using at a given time. Too broad a question to answer without writing an essay.

Fish on.........

I fully agree myself, maybe I should have picked a specified situation, I know that in all situations I use a 4-5 foot leader no matter the type of fish I am fishing for or tactic I am using.

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Remember the longer the leader the longer it takes to feel the bite....I only use about 18 to 24 " for winter steelhead drift fishing...Have never had a problem hooking fish...I do use four to five feet leaders fishing diver and bait...But hey if your consitantly hooking fish on those leader lentghs then keep at it

I agree with Dan S. ... there could be a book written on this one. However, if you're fishing large, bouyant bobbers or pocket type water, I'd vote for shortening your 4-5 feet. Typically, the only time I run longer than 40 inches in when free drifting.

[This message has been edited by Bob (edited 11-19-2000).]

I agree with Dan & Bob,I normally fish a leader from 18 to 30 depending on water color and clarity,
during summeruns I fish a 36" to 48" length,thats only if I'm fishing bait,I beleive you can be too long unless you're flossing those muthers

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