Question On Long Leaders

[Race]

When I use a leader, I usually use (regular flourocarbon) leaders approx 2 feet long. I've read comments from some folks who were using longer leaders - anywhere from 4-feet to 10-feet. When I am using a leader, I don't reel the knot through the guide at the tip. I just cast with the entire leader beyond the tip.

 

When using the longer leaders, doesn't the knot affect casting smoothness? Would it also not weaken the know each time you cast? I use a uni-to-uni knot and it's small, but it just seems there would be some detrimental effect if reeling and casting through the guides.

 

Any advice?

 

Thanks.

[EvanT123]

I usually use a leader about a foot shorter then the length of the rod. So about 5-6 feet. I can feel and hear it sometimes going threw the guides but have not noticed anything detrimental to overall performance.

[flyfisher]

I know i have read some pros who use leaders who say that they want the leader long enough that when landing a fish it is on the spool.  I personally don't use leaders to often but when i do they are in the 6-8 foot range and i have not noticed any difference in performance casting.

[Jolly Green]

I keep the knot off of my spool, just personal preference.  I use an Alberto knot with the tags trimmed to non-existence, and while I can feel it going through the guides, I've never had any actual problems with it mucking up the cast. Whether the knot is slowly being weakened by going through the guides I don't know, but I've never had my joining knot fail (other than purposely breaking off) and I generally fish the same leader until it's used up and needs to be replaced. 

[ww2farmer]

I use the alberto knot as well. Going through the guides has never hurt it. I tie about a 7-8 foot leader most of the time, that way I have a few reties available to me before the leader gets too short and a new one has to be tied on. The only time I go shorter is when I am flipping or pitching in very tight places and accuracy and stealth is of the upmost importance, in that situation I don't want the knot running through the guides and having the potential to make a pitch go ever so slightly off target.

[hoosierbass07]

  When the knot goes through the guides, can the knot hurt the guides?  

[Race]

  When the knot goes through the guides, can the knot hurt the guides?  

 

Good question - I had not thought of that. Maybe someone here will be able to shed some light.

[SirSnookalot]

The only advantage I see with a longer leader is more reties before the leader has to be replaced.  I seldom tie line to leader for most of my fishing, it's just my own personal way of doing things, my leaders are about 20" and I like swivels.  When I do tie line to leader I use about 4', it may take some getting used to the noise going thru the top guide but never have experienced any damage.

[wngan9447]

The length varies with the rod for me. I tie so that the knot just misses the spool.

Just like what sirsnook have said, more reties.

[Arv]

Ive never had a knot damage a guide. I tend to use shorter leaders out of personal preference.

[Race]

The comment about the swivel is an interesting one. I often use swivels if I'm using spinners in a river. Does using a swivel about 2 feet away from the bait or lure reduce the number of strikes?

 

I've read that using snap swivels on the hook or lure can reduce strikes, since it looks unnatural. I've wondered if it's still detrimental if the swivel is away from the hook a foot or two?