Braid Line

[Scotty58]

I mainly only use braid as my main line on carolina rigs. Was wondering how many of you use it for pitching and flipping and other things without leaders? I used flouro for pitching and flipping last year and i think it would be better to use braid. What kind of scares me is it just seems like braid would be so easily seen by the bass in the water. My main question is should i even be worried about it being seen underwater? or should i always tie a leader of flouro or mono on just to be safe? Just kind of want to get some opinions.

[doyle8218]

I only use braid. I use a leader most of the time but when flippin heavy vegetation I use straight braid.I have never had a problem it blends in with the weeds and stems.

 

I don't believe fish can see the line anyway. I know many people who use it for everything even finesse.

[Marty]

 

What kind of scares me is it just seems like braid would be so easily seen by the bass in the water.

 

There's no doubt that braid (and other lines) would be seen by the bass. The unanswered question is whether that has any effect on whether the fish will strike or not. There are numerous anglers on both sides of that issue.

 

 

or should i always tie a leader of flouro or mono on just to be safe?

 

Another unanswered question with many anglers on each side of the issue. I use braid for everything and never use a leader.

 

What you should probably do is to read more opinions on these issues and decide which of them make more sense to you, then go ahead and do what you have confidence in.

[BassinLou]

I am with Doyle on this one. When your flipping or pitching in slop, the fish are reacting from something that just dropped from above or around them. I do use fluro as leader with braid but for limited applications. But for flipping or pitching its straight braid for me. 

[Scotty58]

Yeah i didnt think about the fact that when i pitch and flip its usually into some sort of cover or slop. I love braid because of how much you can feel on the bottom. Thats why I'd like to try it with my spinning tackle with texas rigged worms(my favorite style of fishing). Read an interview with Terry Scroggins who says he spools 10lbs test braid on his spinning tackle and then just ties different leaders according to what style he wants to fish(shakey head, texas rig, wacky rig). Thought it was a pretty good idea.

[bassguytom]

I use 10lb power pro slick with a 6 to 10 lb floro leader for t-rigged plastics, shakey head and drop shot applications. I use 30 lb regular power pro with a 17lb floro leader for jigs. I just think the invisability of the floro helps get strikes. I have never tried punching but am going to give it a try this year and will use a floro leader and see what happens.

[ww2farmer]

I use braid as main line on ALL of my reels. Casting or spinning. I use a fluoro leader quite often. About the only times I don't are when I am punching thick grass, frogging, or fishing topwaters.

[RoLo]

That's a good thing when the fish sees your line, than you know for sure he's seen your lure  

I use braided polyethylene for 'everything' (spinning, casting, freshwater, saltwater ~)

 

Leaders are bad because they break the continuity, I want the fish to follow my line all the way to the lure

                                                        

[SirSnookalot]

I fish braid and leader 100% of the time.  The times I have lost my leader due to snag I'll tie direct, don't feel my catch rate is any different.

[Oregon Native]

I like braid with leaders for spinning period. Use fluro leaders of different sizes to match conditions. I like to have a full spool all the time. Running strait braid and then getting a break way down hampers casting distance and accuracy I believe. Have to pay attention to weights though as your bait will fall quicker. On flippin and pitchin I like the heavy mono or fluro....guess I'm old school here. Mussels seem to cut up the braid better....in grass braid is a no brainer.

Tight Lines

[nascar2428]

Because all of my reels are spinning, I switched to braid with flouro leaders last year. The improved sensitivity, line management, and added line strength are all benefits. Economically, you can get two or more years usage out of braid with proper management. The fact that bluegill are hitting my line as it lays on top of the water, reinforces my reasoning for flouro leaders.

[SCangler91]

Great article on fishing with braid and opinions on whether or not to use a leader.

 

http://www.in-fisherman.com/2013/06/12/finesse-news-networks-braided-line-and-leader-debate/

[Teal]

With exception to my cranking and jerkbait rods I pretty much use braid on all of my rods. I use fluoro leaders but in stained or water with thick vegetation I fish it with straight braid

[RoLo]

Great article on fishing with braid and opinions on whether or not to use a leader.

 

http://www.in-fisherman.com/2013/06/12/finesse-news-networks-braided-line-and-leader-debate/

 

That's a good little article, but you'll notice that it goes Full Circle  (i.e. Inconclusive).

Not sure where the notion started that a fine braid filament scares fish, but it's as tenacious as the witches of Salem   

                                                                                             

Roger

[roadwarrior]

This issue will never be resolved except by personal experience. Some VERY good

fishermen here on BR are on either side of the argumet. I don't have a strong opinion,

but I use a leader mostly so I can break the line when needed.

[Uncle Leo]

Big O gave me a good tip on braid if you are worried about the bass seeing it. Use a marker and strip the line to simulate a break. With the change in colors it may appear that it is floating vegatation to the bass. It worked for me or at least gave me more confidence in using it.

[Capt.Bob]

Sufix 832, and your choice of leader 4' to 12' and fluoro or mono depending on conditions and tactic. My only rules are never as heavy as my mainline, and never exceed the rod rating,,,,,

[lmbfisherman]

I use straight braid for pitching/flipping and don't think it's an issue if the fish sees it or not.  I even use high-vis yellow too and never had an issue.

 

However, I don't use high-vis in certain situations....like using a spinnerbait or drop shot, in those cases I will use a leader. 

[SirSnookalot]

When using a leader the strength of that leader cannot be compared to the strength of braided lines.  Many 20# braided lines are going to break at or more than 30#, leaders of the same poundage are not near as strong.  The areas I fish, type of water and my target species may be different than some one else's, I've experimented for the combination that works best for me.  Just a matter of trial and error to find what works best.  There are no absolutes in fishing, it's always your choice.

[james_oxley]

I use braid for everything except my crank/ top water setup. When flipping, I use yellow braid and color the first couple feet of line with a black sharpie because most of the water I fish is pretty dirty but when fishing clear water, I use a flouro leader.