Using Braid As A Leader?

[Grantman83]

I love Fluorocarbon and have it on most of my rods.  However, sometimes I have found myself around heavy weeds and pads etcs and Fluoro doesn't work best there. 

 

Has anyone ever used braid as a leader on a mono or fluoro main line? I know it isn't the best setup as the main line has stretch but for a quick fix has anyone done it and did you have success?

[JTMONEY606]

i use 8 pound stren and 50 pound suffix braid as the leader on my frog rod. cast pretty far and smooth. they say the 50 pound suffix braid is like 12 pound in mono. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If the braid's not connected to the reel I don't see any advantage. A system is only as strong as the weakest link which in your scenario is the main line, rather the knot connecting the main line.

[Darren.]

Never done it that way. Always the otherway around. Braid mainline, FC, copoly leader.

[JD96]

Seems like a backwards Idea to me, I use a little bit lighter leader so if it's hung up too bad I'll only lose a lure and 10" of line vs. A lure, and 20 feet of line.

 

Might as well trash the whole spool, today I lose big time line setting the hook on a hog that said nope, and had to splice the last 75 yards of Floro I had in my tacklebox for leaders onto the mono I was using, the fact that I was casting heavy KVD Ratl traps with wind at my back made it kind of odd seeing the blue colored stren under the floro when I made a long cast.

[Grantman83]

I meant more as an on the fly adjustment. I know it's backwards but if you are in a tight spot does it work or should I just try and stick to straight fluoro

[Dwight Hottle]

You would be better off to dedicate a reel/combo to all braid for the heavy weeds & pads. Braid cuts weeds like a hot knife in butter.  

[0119]

Braid as leader is very common in Europe especially for carp and here for catfish.  The idea is its suppleness does not trigger a warning to feeler or more intelligent fish.  Cant imagine any other useful reason to do it though.

[SirSnookalot]

It would be ok for using bait, casting and retrieving the hooks might get tangled in the braid, that's not much fun.

[CrossK]

I'd just totally refill your spool with braid, the point of braid is not to stretch and to float but with a fluorocarbon main line that defeats the purpose. The only thing that that would help is your leader would be less likely to snap. Don't throw your old line away though, if it's still good unspool it onto the original spool or another reel or even a toilet paper roll of you have to haha.

Best of Luck!

[BassinLou]

I would not advise on that type of setup unless you want to experience heartache. With braid as the leader or vice versa for that matter, if the opposing line is to light/thin in diameter, the braid will cut the  line on hookset. If you throw in a monster bass into that equation, your chances of landing it will be poor at best.

[Grantman83]

I think you guys are missing the point lol.. I have several setups with braid. 

 

I was merely asking if anyone in a pinch has tied a braid leader and if it worked.  Im talking if I am fishing from shore and only have my rod with fluoro on it. 

[JTMONEY606]

so not hijack your post but if i spooled up 40 yards of mono then connected it with braid for frog fishing was that a bad move? or should i just feel the whole spool up with braid only. BTW hooked a 4 pounder in last night and it was caught in between a 2x4 and if i wouldnt had braid i would of lost that fish i bet anything. 

[Grantman83]

i use backing on all my reels...you should be fine

[bobbyshelton]

I have been having problems breaking off my lure when a pike takes it. I fish smallmouth/pike rivers in central Michigan and can catch either one on any given cast, regardless of the lure. When I know i'm in pike territory I use 15lb P-Line flouroclear with a 6" steel leader and much larger baits. In other situations I use 10lb mono tied directly to the lure. However, pike still hit these smaller lures and inevitably break off. I hate losing lures and I especially hate losing lures in the mouths of fish. Steel leaders on this set-up negatively effects casting and the action of the lure. I have considered using braid as a leader but have not done it. This is a reasonable question posted on this string, and I'm glad it was asked. I would still love to know, will a braid leader work? and, why, or why not?

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I have been having problems breaking off my lure when a pike takes it. I fish smallmouth/pike rivers in central Michigan and can catch either one on any given cast, regardless of the lure. When I know i'm in pike territory I use 15lb P-Line flouroclear with a 6" steel leader and much larger baits. In other situations I use 10lb mono tied directly to the lure. However, pike still hit these smaller lures and inevitably break off. I hate losing lures and I especially hate losing lures in the mouths of fish. Steel leaders on this set-up negatively effects casting and the action of the lure. I have considered using braid as a leader but have not done it. This is a reasonable question posted on this string, and I'm glad it was asked. I would still love to know, will a braid leader work? and, why, or why not?

 

 

I caught and lost pike on braid would say braid not the best for pike use.Though I only use up to 20# braid so the 50#-65# may hold a bit better. Braid has low abrasion resistance

 

[Deleted account]

I can't think of a situation where I'd do that. 

[.ghoti.]

A lot of folks up north use braid as a leader when fishing pike infested waters. I've never tried it, but enough people do it that there about has to be some merit to the idea.

I think in your situartion, as an on the fly fix, you would be fine. It's actually a decent idea.