Leader Or No Leader

[Kyle Mahaffey]

Just switched my main line to Berkleys fire line 30# I was wondering of I need to have a leader or not. This is the first time i have used braid. Can someone help me or educate me. And if you do what kind of leader

[Darren.]

Just switched my main line to Berkleys fire line 30# I was wondering of I need to have a leader or not. This is the first time i have used braid. Can someone help me or educate me. And if you do what kind of leader

 

Kyle, this is an oft-debated topic, some think a leader is necessary, others do not.

 

Personally, I like to use leaders if for nothing other than preserving my expensive braided mainline.

 

You'll get pros and cons to the argument, buckle up.

 

As for what kind, best of both worlds (IMO) is a copolymer with fluorocarbon coating or blending like P-Line Floroclear, or Yo-Zuri Hybrid. You could also go for the more expensive pure fluorocarbon lines, the expense being less since you'll only be using 4-8 feet at a time (or whatever length leader you choose).

[jignfule]

I use leader mostly for my own confidence, but in the last few years the biggest fish I catch are on straight braid so I am slowly changing my mind. Last trip was post frontal and the bass very timid. I caught the biggest bass of the day (4#) on a 3'' ika, clear water, and straight 30# braid, so go figger.

[Arv]

I rarely use a leader. I just don't like tying them on and I haven't seen much of a difference.

[aavery2]

I have gone the other way, I used to think no leader necessary.  I fish in clear sandpits and have started tying a FC leader to all my setups.  What can it hurt.

[RyneB]

I use a leader with my Power Pro due to the fact I fish in gin clear water. I always struggled with straight braid and lost confidence. The other reason I like using a leader, is when I want to retie, I can just bite off my knot. That's not happening with braid. Its a confidence thing. Once I learned to tie a uni to uni knot and gained confidence in the knot, every braid setup I have uses a leader. I will not fault anyone for not using a leader though.

[BassinLou]

You have to give it a shot for a while and then report back. I personally use a leader. I fish old limestone lakes that are crystal clear and the fish are very cautious. If something is off forget about it.

Now when I fish in the everglades and visibility is so so I will go straight braid.  

[Crestliner2008]

Elwood "Buck" Perry commented to a reporter one time, that he wanted the fish to see his line, so it would know where the lure was! Kinda makes sense on some level, doesn't it! However, to answer your question, a fluorocarbon leader is probably a good idea when using sub-surface presentations, with a braid as your main line. I do not subscribe to the notion that fluorocarbon is totally invisible, but it does reduce visibility of the line somewhat, if that is something you are concerned about. Don't believe it has no stretch either....it does.

 

The biggest benefit of a fluoro leader is in it's abrasion resistance. Braided lines (all brands) abrade quite easily, when run across rocks, trees and even some tough weeds. Fluorocarbon abrades somewhat less. But again, do not believe that it is impervious to nicks and scratches either. It's all about putting the odds in your favor and increasing your confidence level. Try it and see for yourself.

[fishking247]

never understood the leader with braid thing for bass fishing. if i want braid i fish straight braid, if i want fluoro or mono, i fish fluoro or mono.

 

i only use leaders with braid in saltwater

[derekxec]

never understood the leader with braid thing for bass fishing. if i want braid i fish straight braid, if i want fluoro or mono, i fish fluoro or mono.

 

i only use leaders with braid in saltwater

 +1 to this

[SirSnookalot]

A leader is not needed, but I never fish without one.  If for no other reason it's much easier to untangle a leader wrapped around a treble hook than it is with braid.

[Bankbeater]

Some of the lakes and ponds around my town have very heavy fishing pressure on them.  A leader is needed or you won't get any bites. 

[Sam]

Kyle, every knot along your line is a weak point.

 

Some guys want to eliminate the weak points and they will use flourocarbon line.

 

Others like to use a flourocarbon leader to hide the braid from the bass and to give their biats a more natural look.

 

Personal preference.

 

Just make sure you master the knot you are using to add the leader.

 

Here is a list of knots for connecting lines together from the book, Fishing Knots by Lefty Kreh. A DVD comes with the book to give you a more detailed explanation of each knot.
Blood Knot

Albright Knot

Huffnagle Knot

Slim Beauty

Surgeon's Knot

 

Either get the book or go to YouTube or "Google" these knots and select the one you like best and master it.

[MrSwimJig]

No leader for me. I don't like the thought of having an extra knot in the line. I pretty much only fish fluorocarbon now, unless fishing really heavy cover and then I will fish straight braid with no leader.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I do not fish leaders.  I look at it as if I need a leader I'll just throw flouro. 

[thehooligan]

I use the same system that darren does, power pro and pline flouroclear leaders. Really cheap in the long run, and works really well for me.

 

I fish alot of clear water and the green mist flouroclear is an exact match. If im going out on foot or in the kayak, i bring two rods, one is straight braid for moving baits, and the other has a 8-10ft leader for shakeyhead/dropshot/flickshake.

 

Always tie a uni-uni knot, ive caught 10lb+ fish on 10lb power pro with 8lb leaders, haven't had a knot break yet....

[Kyle Mahaffey]

I fish in muddy /stain at best waters here in northern Va so I don't think I will use a leader but might keep some around in the off chance I fish a clear lake.

[Kyle Mahaffey]

Powerpro 65# braid for $10 at Walmart.

[Kyle Mahaffey]

Is that overkill. I think it said it equals to 12 # mono

[BrettD]

I dont use a leader but fish dark tanic water most of the time.

[derekxec]

Is that overkill. I think it said it equals to 12 # mono

just a bonus for using the same diameter line as you normally would

[Got1Fishing]

I tried a 15 lb flours leader with an Albright knot to my 50lb 832 and the line snapped right at the knot wen it got stuck on some weeds. I will never tie on another leader while using expensive lures... Lesson learned.

[Felix77]

I am a big believer in leaders.  Not scientific mind you but I have tried fishing a rod with a leader alongside a rod without one and always seem to get more bites on the one with the leader.  Since my experiments I tend to use a leader more often than not.

 

Water clarity has a big thing to do with leaders for me.  If it's stained (about 2 feet or so of visibility) I use a leader.  Less than that and it's optional for me.

[aavery2]

I tried a 15 lb flours leader with an Albright knot to my 50lb 832 and the line snapped right at the knot wen it got stuck on some weeds. I will never tie on another leader while using expensive lures... Lesson learned.

No offense meant, but the lesson you should have learned was that you need to practice your knot tieing. 

[Got1Fishing]

No offense meant, but the lesson you should have learned was that you need to practice your knot tieing.

Honestly, that's what I also thought LOL. I tried it several times retrying the knot and it still broke every time and I tried pulling when it was snagged. Maybe I tie it wrong enery time.... Maybe not. I'll ask someone to check over my knot tying next time. Does this not happen to anyone else?