Is This Normal With A Braid/leader

[mtaag3]

I have not used braided line before and decided to give it a try. I've went with a flouro leader as well. In tying them together, I believe I did it correctly as per multiple videos however one question I have is how it goes through the guides on my rod. I've got the microguides and the knot seems to not go through the guides as easily as I think they should. Is this normal and should I ignore it or despite my thoughts I may have tied the knot incorrectly?

 

Thanks for your help.

[A-Jay]

Depending on how "micro" your guides are, there may not be sufficient space to allow your joining knot to pass smoothly  / freely. 

 

You will usually hear and feel the know passing through any guides, both on the cast and the retrieve,  micro or not.

 

If your reel is not back-lashing and is casting correctly, you should be all set.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[dodgeguy]

trash  the leader.go all braid.

[WRB]

What size and brand of braid and FC line are trying to join?

I believe Tuf-Line makes a hollow core spliciable braid that you can run the FC leader inside and super glue it after thread wrapping the splice. This will eliminate the knot.

Tom

[RyneB]

if your water isn't extremely clear, just go all braid. If you have to use a leader, just use a 2 foot or so leader, and just don't reel all the way up to the knot. For me, I usually use a 2 foot leader, my knot never gets into my eyes of the rod. I never reel my lure all the way up to my rod tip, I always have at least a 2 foot distance between my lure and rod tip before I make a cast. I know a lot of guys who only use a 1 foot leader or less. My main body of water is extremely clear water (20+ ft visibility) and a leader is a must on braid. But on lakes where water isn't as clear, I have no problem going straight braid.

[Nick49]

mtaag, I have the same issue.  Using 30 lb or 50 lb Power Pro and 12 or 15 lb fleuro leader with a uni to uni knot (carefully tied) the line flow is problematic.  For now, I have moved away from using this line combo on my Veritas and Falcon micro guide rods.  On other rods I either use a very short leader or no leader at all.  Look forward to hearing from other members on this. 

[ColdSVT]

what,ryneb said

dont reel the joining knot into the rod if you can help it

[mtaag3]

Dumb question, can I use just a cinch knot if I went braid straight to lure?

[OkeechobeeAngler]

or a palomar knot

[Darren.]

You can go straight braid, or use a smaller diameter braid + smaller diameter leader to flow thru your micro guides.

We've all got opinions here. Mine is to use a leader, it saves me money in the long run...

[ww2farmer]

I have not used braided line before and decided to give it a try. I've went with a flouro leader as well. In tying them together, I believe I did it correctly as per multiple videos however one question I have is how it goes through the guides on my rod. I've got the microguides and the knot seems to not go through the guides as easily as I think they should. Is this normal and should I ignore it or despite my thoughts I may have tied the knot incorrectly?

 

Thanks for your help.

You didn't say what knot you were using. A properly tied Alberto knot will go through some pretty small guides without even noticing it.

[mtaag3]

In looking at it closer I believe I may need to use a shorter leader. I may end up going strictly to braid as the water around here doesn't seem too clear. This is the one I ended up tying. The Berkley Crystal Knot

[rockchalk06]

Dumb question, can I use just a cinch knot if I went braid straight to lure?

Ya, just make sure before you cut your tag end to cinch that sucker down good. Braid will allow a tiny tiny amount of slippage if not cinched down good.

I recommend an improved clinch with braid if you want to stick with a clinch knot

[SirSnookalot]

The trend seems to be a line to leader connection using a knot instead of a swivel.  I'm not one to be jumping on that bandwagon, except once in awhile targeting certain species, none of which I find in freshwater.  I prefer a leader at all times, if for no other reason (and there are others) than getting braided line tangled in a treble hook, a leader is much easier to unravel.  I do not like a knot going thru my guides, even a thin profile knot like an alberto.

[mtaag3]

Does anyone see an issue with using either a small swivel or snap hook attaching the braid to the leader? (Obviously not going through the eyes) my thought is that may make changing out a short leader easier.

[fishking247]

get rid of the leader. i never understood why people use a heavy braid and lighter leader (example: 50lb braid 12lb leader), it defeats the purpose of the heavy braid. the only time i could see myself using a leader is around rocks and even then i would most likely not be fishing braid. fish either straight braid or straight mono/fluoro. bass are not line shy

[A-Rob]

go straight braid.

I had similar issues. I dropped the leader, never felt like I lost strikes.

I will use a leader on my spinning gear (I use a light braid to a leader) in clear water for small mouth.

[mtaag3]

I'm still learning so I've tried a leader and I'll try straight braid. After reading a bunch on jigs I don't think a leader will matter but that's all part of the learning process.

Thanks for all the advice