Always Use A Leader With Braid!

[Green Trout]

I have seen it too many times where one guy has a leader of Flurocaron and caught way more than the guy who does not. No matter the situation the bass can see braid, they can not see fluro

[ABW]

Well, if you were punching thick mats, I think it would be better to use straight braid. If you had a leader it would be easier to break off in the thick stuff, and there goes your rig.

[Long Mike]

As said above, if you are fishing in the slop, straight braid is the way to go, and make sure that it is at least 50#.  Also, if you are fishing in stained water, straight braid is fine for fishing reaction baits.  If you are fishing with plastics, a flouro leader is the way to go.

[Bluebasser86]

I rarely use a leader with braid on my casting rods. Putting a leader on braid in the dirty water in the lakes I fish is a waste of time and effort. Putting a leader on braid when flipping heavy grass is completely defeating the point of fishing braid and just asking for heartbreak. 

[Scott F]

I've caught thousands of smallies and largies on braid and have never used any leaders other than steel when I fishing with a lot of pike. I'd probably quit fishing if I had to use a fluoro or mono leader. Having a knot got through my guides alone drives me crazy. I don't believe bass are line shy and even if you could prove beyond a doubt they were, I still wouldn't use a leader.

[Bluebasser86]

All those bass in clear water lakes that eat A-rigs with thick wire and snap swivels everywhere, but braided line is too visible 

[aavery2]

I have seen it too many times where one guy has a leader of Flurocaron and caught way more than the guy who does not. No matter the situation the bass can see braid, they can not see fluro

So you say you have seen many times where they see the braid but can't the Fluorocarbon.    Why do you think that is?

[bass1980]

I used wacky senko on high vis yellow all year and catch just as much as my partner.

[rippin-lips]

Wonder how guys like Bill Murphy caught all those trophy bass on 10-12lb mono.

[Raul]

All those bass in clear water lakes that eat A-rigs with thick wire and snap swivels everywhere, but braided line is too visible 

You forgot to mention that some of us also add spinnerbait blades to A rigs

[Ozark_Basser]

All those bass in clear water lakes that eat A-rigs with thick wire and snap swivels everywhere, but braided line is too visible 

Very true, but I swear that fluoro leader makes a difference sometimes.  It's wierd that it doesn't with an A-rig.  Maybe the bass doesn't focus as much on the wires and line because of all the baits kicking and causing more of a distraction.  Also braid doesn't seem to matter as much on moving baits as it does with jigs and what not.  I'm referring to clearer water situations of course. 

[SirSnookalot]

What ever is working for you is the way to go, what works for me is always using a leader.  Just the aspect of being able to break off is a good reason for me.  I wouldn't be using an expensive hardbait to fish those kinds of conditions, breaking off a plastic bait isn't a heavy financial loss.

In more of an open water situation where I am using lures with exposed hooks I still use a leader, I don't like braid getting tangled in treble hooks.

Whether it's thick water or open, I don't use anything heavier than 15# braid, just the way I like it.

[Hogsticker]

You need to do some research before stating controversial opinions / statements. This topic has been beaten to death. There are times when a leader can be helpful and times its completely uneccassry.

[Sam]

I don't use flouro leaders as I do not want a "weak spot" in the line.

 

I have not had any problems in all types of waters with straight braid.

[Jig Man]

I've experienced it in cold clear water with slowly fished baits.  6 of us fished one small area a few years ago. 2 of us (not in the same boat) were using braid and got our butts beat off that day.

[Bluebasser86]

 There are times when a leader can be helpful and times its completely uneccassry.

Yep, clear water I would be fishing one, but I usually opt for straight fluoro in clear water. I have no doubt plenty of fish can still be caught with straight braid in clear water, but with slow moving presentations especially, the advantage goes to lines that are more difficult to see. 

[long island basser]

I don't know what a bass can or can't see, so I sometimes do use a floro leader but have not had a day where I said, wow that really made a difference.

I think with us anglers it's more mental than anything else.

[OkobojiEagle]

Fishing walleye can give a different perspective to this conversation...

 

Sam, I do want a weak spot in the line... at the knot to leave as little line as possible when I have to break off.

 

 

oe

[Jaderose]

I DO use a fluoro leader but it has nothing to do with visibility.  I bank fish mostly in some pretty gnarly areas with tons of downed trees and lots of stuff to snag on.  I'd rather lose 5 feet of fluoro with my jig and than 50 ft of braid with my jig

[Mike L]

The only time I use a leader is on my spinning outfit, and that is only used for finesse presentations. Which for me is only wacky and shaky rigging.

Mike

[desmobob]

I always use a fluoro leader on my braid...  

 

1) It becomes the sacrificial part of the line that gets replaced due to abrasion, saving the braid

2) It really helps prevent tangles when casting hard baits with trebles

3) It's easier to break off and breaks off with no braid line loss when hung up

4) It gives me a little confidence due to the lesser visibility of the leader

5) I'm more comfortable tying knots in the fluoro and don't need scissors to trim the tag

 

Tight lines,

Bob

 

 

 

 

[Master Bait'r]

I have to laugh whenever someone insists any one technique or style is a constant across all of fishing, or that their way is the only way.

Whatever you say dude!!

[desmobob]

I have to laugh whenever someone insists any one technique or style is a constant across all of fishing, or that their way is the only way.

Whatever you say dude!!

 

 

Are you referring to my post or the OP?  I didn't notice any post in this thread that insisted one technique or style is a constant across all of fishing, or that their way is the only way.

 

It looked like the usual sharing of opinions to me...

Calm down, dude!  It's Thanksgiving!  

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Master Bait'r]

Are you referring to my post or the OP? I didn't notice any post in this thread that insisted one technique or style is a constant across all of fishing, or that their way is the only way.

It looked like the usual sharing of opinions to me...

Calm down, dude! It's Thanksgiving!

Tight lines,

Bob

The OP. I thought your breakdown was very nice. In any case, I said I was laughing right? Opinions are just that. Flouro leaders have their place, but are far from an "I've seen it too many times" kind of thing IMO. Lots of circumstances not to use one.

[desmobob]

I saw your smiley but thought your response was just a bit strong; laughing at vs. disagreeing/explaining.  Not a big deal by any means.

 

I'm a newbie at bass fishing and I sort of like this kind of thread.  I'm learning from it.  For instance, I haven't done any punching (yet), but when I try, I'll ditch the leader.  

 

I was just outside looking at my boat, tarped and covered with snow.  I can hardly stand the fact that it's going to be several months before I get out on the water again!  Next year's ice-out will be my first experience doing any spring fishing for largemouths.  I'm looking forward to picking up lots of good information here over the winter and putting it to good use in the spring.

 

It's time to get ready to head to the big turkey day get-together.

 

I'm thankful to have your, and everyone else's, opinions on techniques and tackle.  

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

Bob