Shock Leader Knot

The use of a shock leader is essential to minimize break-offs while casting. Break- offs usually result in severe backlash on casting style reels. Break-offs are also dangerous to bystanders. A rule of thumb is to use 10# for every o.z. of lead being heaved. I typically use 4 or 5 o.z. sinkers so I use 50# test mono for my shocker which I tie to my main 14# test line. The length of my shocker is the full length of the rod to the reel seat plus 7 turns of the reel. On a twelve foot rod with the reel seat set at 27 " from the butt this would be approximately 8 yds of Shock leader . I use the following knot: