dinneronastring Posted January 17, 2014 Posted January 17, 2014 I have a question that's been nagging at me. I see and hear of folks using say for instance 65lb woven string only to end it with a leader in say for instance 20lb mono. I understand the clear mono but why not fill up the entire spool with mono. Haven't you defeated the purpose of the strong string by putting on a lighter weight leader? Larry Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 17, 2014 Super User Posted January 17, 2014 Quick answer is no, braid has no stretch which results in greater sensitivity. It is also more durable and lasts multiple seasons. People like leaders because they don't want to cut into their braid and they worry about the more visible braid affecting their catch rate. 1 Quote
dinneronastring Posted January 17, 2014 Author Posted January 17, 2014 Great answer. Thanks much. Larry Quote
tbone1993 Posted January 17, 2014 Posted January 17, 2014 Quick answer is no, braid has no stretch which results in greater sensitivity. It is also more durable and lasts multiple seasons. People like leaders because they don't want to cut into their braid and they worry about the more visible braid affecting their catch rate. What about with crankbaits? I throw all of mine on straight fluor0carbon but wouldnt a leader prevent it from getting down far enough? Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 17, 2014 Super User Posted January 17, 2014 I am probably in the minority here but i throw all my cranks on straight braid on my crankbait specific rod. I use 8lb diameter PP super slick. As far as the leader is concerned i can't imagine a leader making a differnece as far as depth of the crank goes but i could be wrong. I do know that when i went down to the smaller diameter braid i was getting deeper with my cranks. I tried 6lb diameter but it wasn't behaving on my reel so i switched back toe the 8lb diameter. To get a crank deep you really need to use the smallest diamter line you can to limit resistance. 1 Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted January 17, 2014 Super User Posted January 17, 2014 I don't throw cranks on a straight braid, but I do use braid and a leader for cranks. I like braid because you can get thin diameters as flyfisher mentions and a leader of say 6-8'. The 6-8' leader won't impede the depth, it's the other 40' plus that will. Just my $0.02 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 17, 2014 Super User Posted January 17, 2014 I have a question that's been nagging at me. I see and hear of folks using say for instance 65lb woven string only to end it with a leader in say for instance 20lb mono. I understand the clear mono but why not fill up the entire spool with mono. Haven't you defeated the purpose of the strong string by putting on a lighter weight leader? Larry Another reason to use a leader is to break off a snag if you are unable to use retrieve the bait. Snapping 65lb braid is not an easy feat. Braid also doesn't take to abrasions well. If your fishing water with zebra mussels, a leader will help prevent damage to the braid as well as allow you to retie easier. I rarely use leaders and usually tie direct. 2 Quote
Gaerith Posted January 17, 2014 Posted January 17, 2014 I have a question that's been nagging at me. I see and hear of folks using say for instance 65lb woven string only to end it with a leader in say for instance 20lb mono. I understand the clear mono but why not fill up the entire spool with mono. Haven't you defeated the purpose of the strong string by putting on a lighter weight leader? Larry The reason for the # size difference is due to people trying to pair similar line diameters, generally. I don't think it makes a difference, but I know for me it's just the peace of mind knowing everything is about the same size. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted January 18, 2014 Posted January 18, 2014 It is also more durable and lasts multiple seasons. mono lasts multiple seasons as well, ive had the same mono on some reels for 3 years and its still going strong. there is a lot of misconceptions out there about mono, its strength, and how long it lasts... Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 18, 2014 Super User Posted January 18, 2014 mono lasts multiple seasons as well, ive had the same mono on some reels for 3 years and its still going strong. there is a lot of misconceptions out there about mono, its strength, and how long it lasts... Your experience is by far the exception and not the norm. Bulk spools of line will last a long time if stored out of the sun and there are limited temperature changes but on a spool this is not the case. Also mono absorbs water which breaks it down over time as well. There is no way i would ever use monofilament line for more than about a month if i was fishing regularly. I also do not think people doubt monos strength but it is more the amount of stretch in mono which is what turns many to other types of line depending on the presentation. Quote
Koofy Smacker Posted January 20, 2014 Posted January 20, 2014 mono lasts multiple seasons as well, ive had the same mono on some reels for 3 years and its still going strong. there is a lot of misconceptions out there about mono, its strength, and how long it lasts... I respool atleast once a month on each of my reels, especially those with mono. Just being in the light is enough to break it down to the point you can have several unexpected breaks all of the sudden. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted January 20, 2014 Super User Posted January 20, 2014 Quick answer is no, braid has no stretch which results in greater sensitivity. It is also more durable and lasts multiple seasons. People like leaders because they don't want to cut into their braid and they worry about the more visible braid affecting their catch rate. Yup, what Fly said. Braid mainline can last a looong time. Leaders help it last. Quote
Green Hornet Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 Google 'Red Phillips Knot' if you want an easy and strong, small knot to attach your leader to a braid main line. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 Your experience is by far the exception and not the norm. Bulk spools of line will last a long time if stored out of the sun and there are limited temperature changes but on a spool this is not the case. Also mono absorbs water which breaks it down over time as well. There is no way i would ever use monofilament line for more than about a month if i was fishing regularly. I also do not think people doubt monos strength but it is more the amount of stretch in mono which is what turns many to other types of line depending on the presentation. I respool atleast once a month on each of my reels, especially those with mono. Just being in the light is enough to break it down to the point you can have several unexpected breaks all of the sudden. i never have any of those problems and i personally think yall are just overly paranoid and wasting line. stretch isnt an issue for me at all and i haven't had a break-off in a lot of years. i just dont see these imaginary issues yall prescribe to about mono. Koofy that fact you change the line on your reels once a month, regardless of it being mono or not, says to me youre just overly paranoid. you dont seem to trust your line regardless of type or brand. im convinced im not the only that can use the same mono for several years on a reel and not have the problems yall claim to have. Quote
Koofy Smacker Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 i never have any of those problems and i personally think yall are just overly paranoid and wasting line. stretch isnt an issue for me at all and i haven't had a break-off in a lot of years. i just dont see these imaginary issues yall prescribe to about mono. Koofy that fact you change the line on your reels once a month, regardless of it being mono or not, says to me youre just overly paranoid. you dont seem to trust your line regardless of type or brand. im convinced im not the only that can use the same mono for several years on a reel and not have the problems yall claim to have. Its more than being paranoid. When a lot of money is on the line I dont want weakened line. That being said, I have two rods with braid, my flipping and my drop shot rod (which I use about 15ft of 6 lb fluoro leader on). Two rods with mono, a jerkbait rod (so the line doesnt sink and mess with my suspending baits) and crankbait rod (because extra stretch here is good) The rest of my rods I am running fluoro on. The reason it all gets changed is because every lake or river system I fish is chock full of structure and my line gets abused whether im dragging it through rocks or dropping down in trees repeatedly. You can run your fingers along the line after an hour of fishing and it feels like sandpaper. Ill cut off the bad section and retie at this point. When my line gets too low on my reels it messes with my retrieve speeds and casting abilities and I will retie. I spend so much time out there doing this that I dont think I have actually had a time when I had to respool because of sun degradation. When I didnt have a boat and I would leave rods in my car for a few weeks in the summer then I would run into that problem. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 21, 2014 Super User Posted January 21, 2014 Like I said, you are definitely in the minority and if it works for you then why change. For me when switching to braid sensitivity is way better and having limited stretch is definitely a factor and increased my hookups. For me the cost of the line isn't as big an issue as it is the added sensitivity and reduced stretch i get with braid which helped me to get a higher hookup potential. I am also convinced i am now getting fish that i never would have felt with mono. This may be in my head but i have seen enough people when using braid for the first time remark at how much more they can feel so to me, that is good enough. The fact that braid lasts longer to me is also another factor that is considered but he performance is the kicker for me. If i need a higher stretch application i use a moderate rod instead and it works out very well. The only advantage to mono, to me, is it is cheap which is important because if i used it i would be respelling often as it is a fact that it weakens over time by the sun and by it's absorption of water. I say whatever spools you have, hold on to them becasue you are the lucky one Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted January 21, 2014 Posted January 21, 2014 fact is, mono doesnt break down as quick as you think it does. anyone changing mono on their reels every month(some guys do it after every outing) for any reason other than their reel is low on line is wasting line and money. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 22, 2014 Super User Posted January 22, 2014 fact is, mono doesnt break down as quick as you think it does. anyone changing mono on their reels every month(some guys do it after every outing) for any reason other than their reel is low on line is wasting line and money. Great...like i said you are having a unique experience and one that i have never experienced so kudos to you. Enjoy your mono and I will enjoy my braid and flouro....just be sure to post up when the big one gets away or you break at a knot after the third year of mono being on your reel.... Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 22, 2014 Super User Posted January 22, 2014 i never have any of those problems and i personally think yall are just overly paranoid and wasting line. stretch isnt an issue for me at all and i haven't had a break-off in a lot of years. i just dont see these imaginary issues yall prescribe to about mono. Koofy that fact you change the line on your reels once a month, regardless of it being mono or not, says to me youre just overly paranoid. you dont seem to trust your line regardless of type or brand. im convinced im not the only that can use the same mono for several years on a reel and not have the problems yall claim to have. X2 Have had the same 12# Elite on my 50th Annivarsary Zillion for 4 seasons. Growing up we didn't know there was anything besides mono. I've had 8# XL on spinning reels for at least twice that long back 50 years ago. Landed a 35 pound carp on 8 year old 8# Trilene XL. Only time we ever put new line on was when it got too low for decent length casts. Of course, there wasn't such a thing as fish tournaments in those days. At least I wasn't aware of any. We fished for pleasure and to put food on the table. Must be true....ignorance is bliss. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 Great...like i said you are having a unique experience and one that i have never experienced so kudos to you. Enjoy your mono and I will enjoy my braid and flouro....just be sure to post up when the big one gets away or you break at a knot after the third year of mono being on your reel.... it was probably seven years ago last time i lost a fish because line broke. the thing is it was a 40-50lb+ flathead catfish that i hooked on a zebco 33 with 8lb line. and that was a case of fish too big for the line with the drag too tight. but i did manage to get the fish in and to the surface to see it before its death roll snapped my line. ive posted this before. and the line wasnt a year old even. otherwise, my mono is still strong after the 3rd year, i do check it. perhaps you should try getting the most out of your line instead of wasting it after barely using it.... X2 Have had the same 12# Elite on my 50th Annivarsary Zillion for 4 seasons. Growing up we didn't know there was anything besides mono. I've had 8# XL on spinning reels for at least twice that long back 50 years ago. Landed a 35 pound carp on 8 year old 8# Trilene XL. Only time we ever put new line on was when it got too low for decent length casts. Of course, there wasn't such a thing as fish tournaments in those days. At least I wasn't aware of any. We fished for pleasure and to put food on the table. Must be true....ignorance is bliss. i knew i wasnt the only one... Quote
Duckbutter100 Posted January 25, 2014 Posted January 25, 2014 How many times/hours are you fishing a month to change out mono every month? Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 25, 2014 Super User Posted January 25, 2014 I don't fish mono anymore but when i did i was fishing 2-3 days a week which included at least one full day and a few after work trips. I would then change it every other week or so but never longer than a month. Quote
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