Fishing Lines and Leaders
Fishing Lines and Leaders for Every Species and Technique
Compleat Angler Nedlands stocks a huge range of fishing lines and leaders. From PE0.4 silly string for Swan River bream to PE12 rope for monster GTs, we've got the spool for it. Our range covers braid, monofilament, fishing leader line, fluorocarbon leaders and wind-on leaders from Daiwa, Shimano, Varivas, Sunline and Platypus. Tell us what you're chasing and how you're fishing for it, and we'll get the breaking strain and PE rating right the first time.
How to Choose the Right Fishing Line and Leader
Line and leader choice comes down to three things: what you're targeting, what technique you're using, and how much abrasion the leader needs to survive. Here's how our team breaks it down.
Braid vs Mono, Which Should I Use as Main Line?
Braid is the standard main line today. It's thinner than mono at the same breaking strain, casts further, has virtually no stretch for direct bite detection, and holds up well over time. Mono still earns its place mainly with trolling, where a bit of stretch helps with absorbing the initial strike from fast swimming pelagics and the stretch also helps keep constant pressure through head shakes.
Fluorocarbon vs Monofilament Leader
Fluorocarbon is significantly less visible underwater than mono, sinks faster, and resists abrasion from structure, teeth and reef better. That makes it the choice for clear water and lure fishing, where a fish spotting your leader costs you the bite. Monofilament leader is more supple, cheaper, and easier to work with in heavy breaking strains (over 100lb) which makes it the choice for heavy trolling leaders and light bait fishing where structure and teeth are not a problem.
Matching Leader Strength to Your Braid
Choosing the right leader line for fishing usually means matching or slightly exceeding the breaking strain of your main line. PE1 (roughly 20lb) braid with a 30 to 40lb leader covers most inshore fishing. Fishing tight to reef or heavy structure, go up to 60 to 80lb for abrasion resistance. Targeting clear water bream or other line shy species, drop to 4 to 10lb fluorocarbon for a lighter, less visible leader.
Line & Leader Quick Reference
Understanding PE Ratings and Breaking Strain
Braid is commonly sold by PE rating rather than breaking strain alone, particularly on Japanese lines like Varivas and Sunline. PE1 sits around 20lb, PE2 around 30lb, PE3 around 40lb, climbing from there. PE6 to PE8 is built for heavy offshore jigging and top water casting, where sustained heavy drag pressure matters a lot. Keep your rod's rated range and your reel's drag capacity in mind when choosing line breaking strains.
Wind On Leaders and Assist Cords
Wind on leaders are a pre-made length of heavy leader with a dacron loop spliced on one end. Wind on leaders allow you to wind a decent amount of leader onto the reel to give you a stronger connection point when a fish is close to the boat or the rocks. A must have for heavy trolling setups. Assist cords are used to tie jigging hooks to usually a solid ring for connection to jigs and lures.
How Often Should I Change My Line?
Replace braid roughly once a year with regular use, or sooner if it's faded, fuzzy or digging into itself on the spool. Check leader every session and replace it the moment it's nicked — one abrasion point is where it fails under load. Mono main line degrades with UV exposure, so a spool that's lived on a boat deck or in a sunny shed will be well past it before one stored in the dark. If it's more than a season old and it's seen a lot of sun, re-spool. It'll look fine right up until it isn't.
Australia's Best Range of Fishing Lines and Leaders
We have 130+ products across 30+ brands, covering braid, mono, fluorocarbon and wind on leader from light PE0.4 bream line through to PE12 monster gear.
Why Our Customers Buy Their Line and Leader From Us
Real Range, Not Just the Big Names
Daiwa, Shimano, Varivas and Sunline sit alongside specialist brands like Gosen, Tasline and Yamatoyo, giving you options most retailers simply don't stock.
Advice From Anglers, Not Salespeople
Our team spools reels and ties leaders themselves, and can talk you through breaking strain, PE rating and knot choice for your exact setup.
Right For Beginners and Experts Alike
New to fishing and not sure what a leader even does, or a seasoned angler chasing a specific brand and breaking strain, either way we'll get you sorted with the right product the first time.
Shipped Properly, Every Time
Spools and leader packs are packed to arrive in the same condition they left the shop in, wherever in Australia they're headed.
Want Help Matching Line to Your Setup?
Line and leader choice comes down to detail, breaking strain, diameter, PE class, and it's easier to get right with a conversation. If you're near Nedlands, bring your reel or rod in and our team will help you spool up correctly on the spot. Ordering from elsewhere in the country, give us a call or send us the details of what you're targeting and we'll point you to the right line and leader combination.
- Address
- 154 Stirling Hwy
Nedlands WA 6009 - Contact
- (08) 9389 1337
- Opening Hours
- Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing Line and Leaders
What is a leader line and do I need one?
A leader is a length of heavier, less visible line tied between your main line and your hook or lure, usually 60cm to a couple of metres. If you're running braid, you need one. Braid is brilliant stuff but it has almost no abrasion resistance, so one touch on a reef edge, an oyster rack, a barnacle-covered pylon or a set of tailor teeth and it's gone. It's also opaque and easy for fish to see in clear water, and it has virtually no stretch, so there's nothing to absorb a headshake when a fish surges at the boat. The leader fixes all three at once. Running straight mono as main line you can get away without one, but almost everyone on braid ties a leader on.
Should I use braid or mono as my main line?
Braid is the go to for most modern fishing. It's thinner, casts further, has zero stretch for better bite detection, and lasts longer with proper care. Mono still has its place for surf fishing, trolling, and anywhere stretch is genuinely useful. Most anglers today run braid as main line with a leader tied on.
What's the difference between fluorocarbon and mono leader?
Fluorocarbon is much harder for fish to see underwater, sinks faster, and is more abrasion resistant, ideal for clear water and lure fishing. Mono is more supple, cheaper, and has more stretch - a good budget friendly option.
How often should I change my fishing line?
Replace or at least get your braid annually if you fish regularly, or sooner if it's faded or fuzzy. Check leaders every session and replace them the moment they're nicked.
What leader strength should I use?
As a general rule, run a leader that matches or is heavier than your braid's breaking strain. PE1 (around 20lb) braid with a 30 to 40lb leader covers most inshore fishing. Go heavier near reef and structure, and lighter, around 4 to 10lb, for clear water bream and other line shy species.
What knot should I use to join braid to leader?
The FG knot is the strongest and most popular way to join braid to leader. It's a thin, low-profile join that slides through the rod guides without slapping, which matters when you're casting all day. It takes practice — most people need a few goes before it clicks. While you're learning, a double uni (uni to uni) is perfectly reliable and much easier to tie, especially in the dark or in a rolling boat. For heavier leader on game and jigging gear, the PR knot and the Albright come into play. Pop into the shop and we'll show you the FG on your own gear. Five minutes with someone watching beats an hour of YouTube.
What's the difference between PE rating and pound (lb) breaking strain?
PE is a Japanese sizing system used mainly on braid, and it measures diameter rather than strength. PE1 typically runs 16 to 22lb, PE2 around 28 to 40lb, PE3 around 40 to 58lb — but two spools at the same PE can differ by nearly double depending on how well they're made, which is most of what separates a $25 braid from an $80 one. Check your rod's rated PE range against the line you're spooling, then read the actual breaking strain on the spool.
How long should a fishing leader be?
For most lure fishing, a fishing line leader between 60cm and 2 metres is ideal, depending on the technique and water clarity. Longer leaders provide extra abrasion resistance around reefs, rocks and structure, while shorter leaders are easier to cast and re-tie throughout the day.