Fc Leader Or Sharpie?

[The Young Gun]

I've been watching major league fishing and plan on throwing jigs next year and was wondering, on Major Leauge Fishing a few guys would sharpie the last few feet of their braid instead of using FC leader to make it less visible. Right now on my jig reel I have 50# power pro with 4' 16lb FC leader. Would it be more benificial to use the sharpie method over FC? I'm fishing not too cllear of water

Thanks for the help

[BobP]

Player's choice.  I always use a fluoro leader with large diameter braid except when fishing heavy vegetation.  It may also help prevent cut-offs from toothy critters and rocks.

[MarkH024]

Its not just visual. They're fishing heavy pads and vegetation, where braid shines as it cuts through that stuff. The marker does help the cause visually. A fluoro leader is better if you fish rocks and wood for abrasion resistance. It is also near invisible, another perk. So the cover you fish would be the bigger factor.

[papajoe222]

If you're using a fast moving lure, you can get by with camouflaging the braid, but if you're throwing anything other than a reaction bait, I'd opt for the leader.  If they have time to look over your offering, they have time to look at the line too.

[fishking247]

no leader, no sharpie. i use green power pro

[Mike L]

no leader, no sharpie. i use green power pro

 

I also use the same but I like the floro leader suggestion.

 

Mike

[Paul Roberts]

Bass can see any line, any lb test. They just don't know what it is. I know a guy who catches 1000 bass/yr and has run straight fluorescent braid to his jigs and had no perceptible diff in strikes. A leader can keep braid from shredding, and other uses, but isn't necessary to catch fish.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Glad someone asked this question, been wondering this myself. I'm thinking along the lines of what Paul Roberts just posted. I've caught crappie using 10lb braid on a spinning rod so it obviously didn't spook them.

Also I think around most vegetation the braid could be easily blended with its surroundings. I've never used a leader and always caught fish with all types of bait on braid.

[hatrix]

I use to run straight braid for the longest but now I almost always use a leader. I can't say for sure that leader or no leader changes my catch rates but it has some benefits. If yo get snagged you can actually break your line and I can retie a bunch of times and not loose as much line off my spool as I normally would.

[Mr_Scrogg]

I use to run straight braid for the longest but now I almost always use a leader. I can't say for sure that leader or no leader changes my catch rates but it has some benefits. If yo get snagged you can actually break your line and I can retie a bunch of times and not loose as much line off my spool as I normally would.

But if you run heavy enough braid, most of the time. You can straighten the hook and pull it free.

[War Eagle 44]

As has already been said it's basically up to you. I have a friend who goes straight braid to his jigs, he catches plenty of fish that way. I myself use a fluoro leader. It just looks better and makes "sense" in my mind to use one. On days the fish are really active it doesn't seem to make a big difference but on days they're not I usually end up with a few more bites than he does. Is it the leader, I'm not sure but this has played out on more than one trip so I tend to lean toward yes.

 

Like I said I have more confidence using a leader, you should try it both ways and see if you think it's worth it for you and where you fish. Good luck. 

[PondBoss]

I only use a leader in clear water, and honestly I've stopped doing that since I found Invisibraid.  If you are fishing murky or stained water, I wouldn't worry one bit about using straight braid with no leader.  If the water is clear (3-5ft or greater) go with a leader or Invisibraid.

[Mr_Scrogg]

I was tossing "The Rig" on straight braid at a lake with 10+ feet of clairity. Didnt seem to hurt the bite. But then again, They were gorging themselves.

[jignfule]

Where I use a jig, I feel much more confident with straight braid and a sharpie

[coryn h. fishowl]

I would go w/ a flouro leader slightly lighter than the braid. For pretty heavy stuff, I have a spool of 20lb braid w/ a flouro leader

[jbsoonerfan]

If black were "less visible" then how come no company makes black braided line??????

[MarkH024]

If black were "less visible" then how come no company makes black braided line??????

Fireline comes in Black I believe.

[will83]

Don't quote me on this but I remember seeing and reading on more than one occasion; with the sharpie you beak up the line, you do not color the entire portion of the line, so sharpie, braid sharpie, braid or however you want to do it. I don't remember the length.