Leader Or No Leader Is The Question.

[IowaBass15]

I got myself a dobyns savvy heavy jig rod and debating putting a flouro leader on it. I fish mainly muddy waters with occasional clear waters when I travel about an hour to fish lakes but that's weekend fishing because the bass are much longer and worth the drive. I have suffix advance superline 832 50# and was asking if a leader would be a good idea and if it's worth it.

[Darren.]

Braid mainline on all my setups.

 

Leader tied to every one anywhere from 6-15 lb

test line.

 

Love it! So my vote is "leader"!

[ThatZX14Fella]

I can't bring myself to tie on a leader. I bought 50lb braid for a few reasons. More durable, more manageable, stronger, thinner, etc. I don't really get the point of tying a 10-15lb leader on 50lb mainline. In my opinion, if you're going to have a leader you may as well just put on a full spool of mono/fluoro. That's just my opinion...

[Raul]

I can't bring myself to tie on a leader. I bought 50lb braid for a few reasons. More durable, more manageable, stronger, thinner, etc. I don't really get the point of tying a 10-15lb leader on 50lb mainline. In my opinion, if you're going to have a leader you may as well just put on a full spool of mono/fluoro. That's just my opinion...

Fish rocks and you'll find out in an eyeblink why you tie a leader on any braided main line no matter if it's rope thick.

[ThatZX14Fella]

Fish rocks and you'll find out in an eyeblink why you tie a leader on any braided main line no matter if it's rope thick.

 

I do fish rocks. If I were gonna use any kind of leader I'd just spool up mono. It's cheaper.

[Scott F]

I use 8 to 20 pound braid and have never used a leader. I fish clear, rocky water nearly all the time and have NEVER lost a fish or a bait due to abrasion. I guess it makes a difference it you spend time dragging your lines on the bottom. I don't.

[k3bass]

I can't bring myself to tie on a leader. I bought 50lb braid for a few reasons. More durable, more manageable, stronger, thinner, etc. I don't really get the point of tying a 10-15lb leader on 50lb mainline. In my opinion, if you're going to have a leader you may as well just put on a full spool of mono/fluoro. That's just my opinion...

I agree. I think most people who use leaders on braid don't even really have a reason as to why they are using one.

[rippin-lips]

I can't bring myself to tie on a leader. I bought 50lb braid for a few reasons. More durable, more manageable, stronger, thinner, etc. I don't really get the point of tying a 10-15lb leader on 50lb mainline. In my opinion, if you're going to have a leader you may as well just put on a full spool of mono/fluoro. That's just my opinion...

You don't need #50 braid for bass fishing either. Only in a few situations does anyone need it. If it wasn't for the diameter you'd need nothing more than #20. Leaders are very handy. Fish anywhere where toothy critters are present and you'll see quickly. Multiple other benefits too. Make a 40 yard cast with mono and see how hard it is to set the hook. Do it with braid that has a 3ft leader. One of the two will land you a fish. Certain techniques are better suited for mono/fluoro leader. Topwater poppers love to foul up using straight braid. Jerkbaits and cranks can get a little deeper. Plenty of reasons.

I agree. I think most people who use leaders on braid don't even really have a reason as to why they are using one.

It's called using the right tool for the job. It has its place.

Abrasion resistance

'Rocks,zebra mussels,toothy fish'

Shock absorption

'Treble hooks'

Gin clear water

'Line shy fish'

It's denser than braid

'Get baits deeper'

[SirSnookalot]

I know why I use leaders.  

 

I can break a lure off from a snag easier.

I can also break a fish off if it's too big to land or I don't want to tire it out any more.

Braid getting wrapped around a treble hook is time consuming to unravel, leader is much easier.

A shortish leader provides just enough stretch, I get a better hook set.

I use up less braid tying leaders on.

[d-camarena]

Thats what i use leaders for-

1. When your line gets hung up, something has got to give. That braid aint breaking from pulling on it

2. On a hookset there has to be a little stretch so the hook wont rip through the fish

[k3bass]

It's called using the right tool for the job. It has its place.

Abrasion resistance

'Rocks,zebra mussels,toothy fish'

Shock absorption

'Treble hooks'

Gin clear water

'Line shy fish'

It's denser than braid

'Get baits deeper'

So why not use just straight fluorocarbon instead of dealing with an extra knot?

[rippin-lips]

So why not use just straight fluorocarbon instead of dealing with an extra knot?

It allows you to retain the advantages of braid and use the advantages of fluoro. Best of both worlds kinda thing. Braid isn't the best choice for certain things. For me, I don't like it for buzzbaits,spinnerbaits,poppers,spooks,weightless plastics. A spool of fluoro isn't the best choice for topwater baits either. So I tie on a copolymer leader. Makes your combo more versatile when you can choose any type and size leader to use for a certain fishing technique.

[paleus]

So why not use just straight fluorocarbon instead of dealing with an extra knot?

 

One word: stretch.

[k3bass]

One word: stretch.

so your main line doesn't have enough "stretch" so you have to add another type of line and add another knot. So why not just use straight fluorocarbon and eliminate the knot and braid to begin with?

[monkeyman3dee]

so your main line doesn't have enough "stretch" so you have to add another type of line and add another knot. So why not just use straight fluorocarbon and eliminate the knot and braid to begin with?

I recently spooled up my main rod with some braid, I think it is around 50 lb. I didn't buy the braid, it was spooled in a free combo I picked up on the side of the street. So I decided to try it, main line is braid, with a ~10ft 12lb flouroclear leader. I actually like the set up. It made my med. action rod into more of a MH. It is easier to tie knots with a leader, and as far as the leader knot, no biggie as long as it is tied right. I love the sensitivity, and the fact I can horse a log to the shore if I get snagged. It is a plus I can break free if I get snagged too much, always breaks at the leader, as opposed to having to cut off so much braid. For the fishing I do, it is a nice change up from straight mono.

 

As other have said, everyone has their reasons for fishing a certain type of line. Maybe what I am doing is not the best, but i catch fish so who cares!

 

Plus, my lews looks bad ass with braid on it.

[Cgrinder]

I don't really see a point in fluorocarbon leaders. However I will often use a "bite leader" made of 15 lb CXX to save my swimming jigs or walking baits from toothy critters. Lots of pike, gar, and a few bowfin running around in Michigan. Even small pike will go right through 50 lb Power Pro. RIP many Spro frogs.

 

The extra knot isn't a concern provided that it is tied correctly and changed between outings or after significant stress.

[paleus]

so your main line doesn't have enough "stretch" so you have to add another type of line and add another knot. So why not just use straight fluorocarbon and eliminate the knot and braid to begin with?

 

No, straight fluorocarbon has way too much stretch. You have to take up all that slack to set the hook, not so with braid.