Shakyhead Setup : Braid + Fluoro Leader Or Straight Fluoro ?

[ChrisD46]

What is your preference on a spinning outfit for a shakey head setup : Braid plus fluorocarbon leader OR straight fluorocarbon line ?

I would think straight fluorocarbon line would allow better contact and subtle shaking of the worm vs. braid plus fluorocarbon ...Your experiences ?

[Catch and Grease]

Why not straight braid? That's what I do and it works fine.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Flourocarbon: More abrasion resistance

 

Braid+leader: Better handling on spinning reels

[Mike L]

I'll use both depending...

Straight floro in clear water or scattered vegetation or wood.

Braid with floro leader if fishing in and around heavy vegetation.

Mike

[bassguytom]

Braid and floro always. Best of both worlds that way.

[ChrisD46]

Can braid + Fluoro leader transmit movement / vibrations to a shakyhead as well as straight fluoro ?

[deep]

Vibration, no; straight pull, yes. With spinning gear, I find it difficult to keep a finger on the line. The leader is inconsequential as far as its effect on transmitting bites is concerned. If you find FC unmanageable on spinning gear, your best bet seems to be keeping the line (braid) as taut as possible (no slack) and watch the line too.

[War Eagle 44]

I started out using straight fluoro but the very first time I tried braid w/ fluoro leader I was "hooked". I just enjoy fishing braid on spinning gear so much more than either mono or fluoro. I'm with Bassguytom on this issue, best of both worlds. I know some guys say they can't detect the slack line bites using braid like they can using fluoro but I personally don't have that problem. This is only my opinion so take it as such but I don't ever foresee myself switching back.  

[iabass8]

Straight 7# fluoro

[Bluebasser86]

I used to be a straight fluoro guy until I tried a good quality braid on my shakyhead rod, don't think I'll ever go back. 

[Slade House]

megastrike shaky head , on fluro. i prefer a bait caster with a megastrike shakey head.  

[ww2farmer]

Braid with fluoro leader is what I do. Not just for shaky heads, but for almost everything.

[ChrisD46]

After additional reading I was amazed to see how many pros have switched from pure fluoro on their shaky head spinning rigs to 10lb. ~ 15.lb braid + 6lb. ~ 10lb. FC leader ... My short list of braids would be Sufix Performance Braid , 832 or Power Pro in the Super Slick 8 (or even standard PP)  ... Now I am very interested in the Sunline SX1 braid which looks mighty fine for a shaky head + Sunline Sniper 7lb. FC as a leader ...Worse case , if I didn't like it I could always use it for surface baits or pitching & flipping to bluegills !

[papajoe222]

The majority of my shakey head fishing has been in stained water, fishing short grass and sand/gravel bottom and clear deep water.  I go with braid in both situations as visibility and abrasion are not concerns for me.

[corn-on-the-rob]

Braid has its advantages and disadvantages as does fluorocarbon. You put them together and they basically cancel out each others disadvantages. For me, the braid with fluoro leader is perfection. Many are afraid to try it because they don't like the extra knot but if you tie correctly you should NEVER break at the knot.

[gardnerjigman]

8# straight seagar. Never have had a problem and sensitivity and control are amazing.

[ChrisD46]

I have a small promo spool of Sunline Sniper 7lb. fluoro I am going to try first ... If I can't get that to work with a shaky head rig then no fluro probably will and I will switch to braid + FC leader.

[Brian6428]

Straight fluoro for me. It is much more sensitive in the wind and I don't have to worry about retying my leader knot every trip.

[Jollygreens]

Braid has its advantages and disadvantages as does fluorocarbon. You put them together and they basically cancel out each others disadvantages. For me, the braid with fluoro leader is perfection. Many are afraid to try it because they don't like the extra knot but if you tie correctly you should NEVER break at the knot.

How long is your leader for fluoro?

[corn-on-the-rob]

How long is your leader for fluoro?

 

I honestly don't have a set length, I just make sure it is longer than 3 feet but probably not more than 5. That way it is long enough to ensure stealth and not too long so that I reel the knot into the spool.

 

I used to tie a uni-uni knot but switched to alberto's (improved albright). I really liked the uni but alberto's is way stronger. If you read around the uni is a fantastic knot for braid/mono but it is not recommended for fluoro. The uni knot strength actually changed depending on which BRAND of fluoro I was using. With alberto's the fluoro doesn't have a knot in it which to me is the best option because fluoro is know to not have knot strength capabilities like mono or braid.

[J Francho]

Count me in the braid with a leader camp.  I think mine is setup with 20# 832 and 10# CXX for a leader.

[Team9nine]

^^ Another braid/fluoro shakyheader, usually 8-10# braid with an 8# fluoro leader.

 

-T9

[ChrisD46]

For those using #8 fluorocarbon - any line handling issues on a spinning reel ?

[J Francho]

For those using #8 fluorocarbon - any line handling issues on a spinning reel ?

 

Depends on which line.  InvisX or Tatsu, no issue.  Something stiffer, yes.

[ChrisD46]

#8 Invizx or Sunline Sniper are what I'm considering for a 2500 series spinning reel .