Leader With Braid?

[Chevydriver2123]

I'm going to switch from mono to braid next year. I saw an article the other say about a lot of people are getting away from using a leader with braid. Do you need to use one or is it personal preference?

[livetofish28]

It depends entirely on what I'm doing and water clarity I use braid on all outfits with the exception of my cranking rod. For slow moving baits I use a fluoro leader. For reaction baits I will generally direct tie unless the water is extremely clear or the fish are spooky

Tight lines

Andrew

[ww2farmer]

Personal preference for the most part. I use braid as main line on 100% of my rods/reels, and except for frogging, punching, and topwater, I prefer to use a fluoro leader when doing anything else. Why? I don't know? Plenty of reasons for it, just as there are plenty of reasons against it. The connecting knot I use (alberto) has never been a problem, and I like the way some stuff fishes with a fluoro leader better than with just straight braid.............so I do it.

[Capt.Bob]

I do all the time,,,,many don't and say they have seen no difference in hookup ratio's,,,,all up to you, but whatever you do you have to have confidence in it or it won't work,,,,,90% of success is confidence in what your doing!

[Darren.]

No you don't need to use a leader.

 

But I do all the time.

 

I've said it before, if you re-tie lures a lot your braid mainline will dwindle down faster than if you used a leader. 

 

So you tie a leader on, say 6-10', that's a lot of reties before you have to tie on another leader.

 

As to whether it matters to the fish, heck if I know. I like to think it does, LOL. I carry a spool box with 6 spools of different lines in it. I use anywhere from 6-15 lb test lines in either copolymer or pure fluorocarbon.

 

That's something else a leader on braid lets you do -- experiment with different line types w/o changing out the spool.

 

All this is my opinion based on my experiences. YMMV.... (Your Mileage May Vary)

[MacP]

All my BCs have braid and similar diameter flouro or mono. I don't want to waste braid. It's actually cheaper to do it this way too.

30 bucks will spool three baitcasters. A 300 yard spool of 12 lb test is like 8 bucks. Fluoro is like 15-20. Those spools used just as leader will last a very long time. Braid lasts a very long time too.

[SirSnookalot]

I use a leader 100% of the time, if for no other reason having braid tangled in a treble hook is a mini nightmare.

[Virtuoso]

I do all the time,,,,many don't and say they have seen no difference in hookup ratio's,,,,all up to you, but whatever you do you have to have confidence in it or it won't work,,,,,90% of success is confidence in what your doing!

 

VERY INSPIRING WORDS. IF CAPTAIN BOB IS DOING IT I AM DOING IT. HE IS A CHARTER CAPTAIN AND HAS FISHED MORE THAN ANYBODY

[Smokinal]

I use the braid/fluoro leader on all my rods as well. The main reason I do it is I fish lakes with tons of rock. And braid has no abrasion resistance against rock whatsoever.

[flyfisher]

No you don't need to use a leader.

 

But I do all the time.

 

I've said it before, if you re-tie lures a lot your braid mainline will dwindle down faster than if you used a leader. 

 

So you tie a leader on, say 6-10', that's a lot of reties before you have to tie on another leader.

 

As to whether it matters to the fish, heck if I know. I like to think it does, LOL. I carry a spool box with 6 spools of different lines in it. I use anywhere from 6-15 lb test lines in either copolymer or pure fluorocarbon.

 

That's something else a leader on braid lets you do -- experiment with different line types w/o changing out the spool.

 

All this is my opinion based on my experiences. YMMV.... (Your Mileage May Vary)

Do you think you can get a good feel on a line's behavior in just a 10' piece?  

 

I don't use leaders very often at all, probably less than 5% of the time but i have thought about it a few times lol

[Darren.]

Do you think you can get a good feel on a line's behavior in just a 10' piece?  

 

I don't use leaders very often at all, probably less than 5% of the time but i have thought about it a few times lol

 

Well. Yes. I do, especially dependent on the material on the other end. Which is why I've settled on copoly or pure fluoro. I feel each transmits vibrations and hits just fine.

 

Take my opinion for whatever it's worth, LOL. I know several will say a leader is absolutely unnecessary. I've tried that in my waters and found that I've had a much better catch rate when I tie one on. That's my experience and nobody can pry it from my fingers!

 

As well, line behavior is one thing when it is spooled as the mainline. Another thing if it is tied on as a leader. Braid behaves so differently from the nylon lines that for me, it's a no brainer to use it for mainline. Just manages so much better. And I prefer to keep my braid as long as I can, hence a leader. I retie hooks fairly often after catches, snags, etc.

 

So on the one hand, a leader saves my braid mainline.

 

On the other hand, when I've used a leader, my catches have increased.

[OkobojiEagle]

 you have to have confidence in it or it won't work,,,,,90% of success is confidence in what your doing!

 

 

I prefer "experience"

 

oe

[Capt.Bob]

I prefer "experience"

 

oe

Are you confident with that theory??? see what I said,,,,,,,,90%!!!!

[Mike L]

The only setup I use a leader is on my spinning, for light finess rig's.

Wacky, shaky etc.

 

20# braid with 12# floro tied with a uni to uni.

All others are one or the other

 

 

 

Mike

[michang5]

x2, except I use Alberto knot to join my 20 and 12.

The only setup I use a leader is on my spinning, for light finess rig's.

Wacky, shaky etc.

20# braid with 12# floro tied with a uni to uni.

All others are one or the other

Mike

[A-Jay]

Well. Yes. I do, especially dependent on the material on the other end. Which is why I've settled on copoly or pure fluoro. I feel each transmits vibrations and hits just fine.

 

Take my opinion for whatever it's worth, LOL. I know several will say a leader is absolutely unnecessary. I've tried that in my waters and found that I've had a much better catch rate when I tie one on. That's my experience and nobody can pry it from my fingers!

 

As well, line behavior is one thing when it is spooled as the mainline. Another thing if it is tied on as a leader. Braid behaves so differently from the nylon lines that for me, it's a no brainer to use it for mainline. Just manages so much better. And I prefer to keep my braid as long as I can, hence a leader. I retie hooks fairly often after catches, snags, etc.

 

So on the one hand, a leader saves my braid mainline.

 

On the other hand, when I've used a leader, my catches have increased.

 

X2  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This

 

The only difference for me is I actually prefer a leader of mono; for casting & spinning.

 

Tried Fluorocarbon & Copolymer leaders and still have gravitated back to the monofilament.  

 

My home waters are very clear so I go with the largest pound test They will bite. 

Sometimes that's 4 or 6 lb other times it's 12-15 lb depends on the application and the cover.

 

The detractors of mono will note the undesirable qualities of the line and there are a few.

But when used as leader and not a main line many of these traits become beneficial in my eyes.

Great knot strength.

Excellent ability to Repeatedly handle shock & stretch.

Decent abrasion resistance in most situation.

Great manageability.

Assists in working topwater baits. 

Very reasonably priced.

 

I don't use this system unless it's applicable and Nothing works for every application but this works for me in most.

 

Berkley Big Game and Maxima Ultragreen leader with a Power Pro or Sufix 832 main line.

 

A-Jay

[Insanity]

I use a black braid in 8 pound test and never feel the need to use a leader. Went from mono to braid and seen no difference. I don't think they can see it all that well.

How ever if the water was crystal clear, the fish seem finicky, or you plain on using something with a large diameter or color that stands out it might be wise to use one.

I'm more worried about snapping a leader using the non stretch braid. I've got some old reels with mono if I feel the need to fish clear or finesse I swap to one of them. But that's not very often.