Just Braid

[cddan]

I'm thinkin' of running straight braid for the first couple of weeks of bassin'. Does anyone else do this or do the fish spook easy from the line. I always use mono, braid sometimes for spinnerbaits but I'm thinkin' of just usin' braid for everything for a little, I just don't wanna limit the fish I catch and was wondering If I can get away with It and still catch em'.

[Alpha Male]

I used braid almost exclusively last year and still caught plenty of fish. You should be fine for anything but dropshotting or similar finesse techniques.

[BassinLou]

I have transitioned to mostly braid on all my outfits except one. Depending on what application I use, I will implement a leader. One particular place I fish on is an old limestone lake with very clear water. These fish are extremely line shy, so if I don't use a leader, fishing will be slow that day. 

[Hogsticker]

No reason you can't drop shot with braid. I prefer it. Just use a fluoro leader and tie a good connection knot

[SudburyBasser]

I used braid almost exclusively for everything but this year I've moved to fluorocarbon for jerkbaits  and monofilament for spinnerbaits. I'll be using fluorocarbon leaders in other applications like cranks and finesse fishing.

 

I don't think I'm suffering much of a penalty with braid but as I'm doing more tournament fishing I want to remove as many potential issues that I can. 

[Hogsticker]

I use braid for everything except slack line presentations. The right rod for the task at hand helps

[Smokinal]

The main reason I like a leader on my braid is that braid has zero abrasion resistance against rock; which is probably 90% of the bottom I fish.

[Scott F]

I'm thinkin' of running straight braid for the first couple of weeks of bassin'. Does anyone else do this or do the fish spook easy from the line. I always use mono, braid sometimes for spinnerbaits but I'm thinkin' of just usin' braid for everything for a little, I just don't wanna limit the fish I catch and was wondering If I can get away with It and still catch em'.

The only problem you may have is the apparent lack of confidence in a straight braid set up. I've been using nothing but braid for many years and have never used a mono or fluoro leader. I don't believe bass are spooked by line and my success supports way of thinking. My advise is to lighten up on your drag a bit, and don't use monster hook sets. The lack of stretch in the line will bury hooks with a lot less pressure needed. Do not worry about limiting your catch. You'll do just fine.