I'm Only Using Powerpro Braid - Dumb Of Me??

[meade95]

I've become so comfortable (with the feel, responsiveness, strength, knot tying) of Powerpro braid....I don't use anything else.  Is this costing me fish (by not using mono / Floro)??  I fish mainly a few lakes in NC, lots of timber (very little grass) off color, usually between 1 1/2-5 feet visibility depending on last time in rained.

 

Just curious.

[Felix77]

If you are catching fish then it doesn't really matter much.  Plenty of people on this forum use mainly braid with great success.  I'm a fluoro guy myself but it's all about the confidence.

 

The only thing I would say about braid is it's durability around rock, wood etc.  If you are losing fish because the braid is tearing when going over this stuff then you might want to consider a leader of FC just for those situations.

[buzzed bait]

i've fished plenty in western nc using straight braid and don't think my fishing has suffered because of it.  

[Scott F]

I've been using nothing but light braid for many years in clear, rocky, lakes and rivers. I have never used any flouro or mono leaders. I've never seen a need. In all this time, I have never had a break off due to abrasion, I catch more than my share of bass, and I don't have the extra hassle of tying leaders and having that extra knot go through my guides.

For many, leaders are a confidence thing. If in your mind, not using a leader is costing you fish, use it. You may find the extra trouble is worth it, or like me you'll find you don't need them.

[meade95]

Appreciate the words of advice. My confidence is with braid and I just wanted to hear some others thoughts.... regarding my second guessing in the back of my head on some days (or nights when I want to think about fishing) that hey, perhaps I'm missing bites because I don't use mono/floro at all.....

[Weld's Largemouth]

Straight braid is all I use

[blckshirt98]

I use straight braid for all my reaction stuff, but use a fluoro leader when fishing finesse (drop shot in particular).  Might not make a difference to the fish but it's definitely a confidence thing for me.

[PatrickKnight]

All I use any more is braid. Sometimes I'll use a leader sometimes I wont.

[jitterbug127]

Straight braid only here. Just easier

[Darren.]

I've become so comfortable (with the feel, responsiveness, strength, knot tying) of Powerpro braid....I don't use anything else.  Is this costing me fish (by not using mono / Floro)??  I fish mainly a few lakes in NC, lots of timber (very little grass) off color, usually between 1 1/2-5 feet visibility depending on last time in rained.

 

Just curious.

 

I'm going to say "no"...

 

That said, personally, I always tie on a leader to 

my braided mainline (PowerPro & PP SS8). For 

one thing, it makes the braid last longer.

 

When I retie (inevitable) my hooks/lures, I cut

down my leader, not my braided mainline until

I need to tie on a new leader. That's a lot of reties

I can do w/o depleting my braid.

 

My .02.

[Scott F]

Appreciate the words of advice. My confidence is with braid and I just wanted to hear some others thoughts.... regarding my second guessing in the back of my head on some days (or nights when I want to think about fishing) that hey, perhaps I'm missing bites because I don't use mono/floro at all.....

So what if using straight braid is causing you to miss a few bites (Although I myself doubt it). I'd guess you are missing bites all the time, for a variety of reasons. I'm sure I miss bites because my cast was not accurate enough, or I was fishing too fast, or too slow, or using the wrong bait, or fishing in the wrong place. If you concentrate on getting most of your presentation right, you'll get enough fish that you'd never miss the few that didn't bite because you weren't using a leader.

[Retired@176]

My favorites for spinning PP and Gliss 90% of the time with no leader

[DubyaDee]

I started using a leader after I lost 4 vision 110's in a day from pike. Now I have less break offs than ever before. 

[Bluebasser86]

If it's working for you, why switch?

[carlm01]

   I have a topic about almost the same thing ,Ive used almost everything out there high end floro cheap mono , co polymers and braid , I always go back to the braid , power pro 20 lb moss green , doesn't seem to be that much of a difference .. 

[corn-on-the-rob]

While straight braid will work for nearly all situations, those who say it is good in rock, have been around some very forgiving rocks. That is completely fine especially if the areas you fish play nice rock-wise. But, if you find the right types of rocks (shapes, sharpness, size) braid will get eaten alive more so than mono or FC of the same diameter.

 

 

I use straight braid in all heavy cover. When I am around rock or clear water, I will attach a short to medium length FC leader to combat abrasion and visibility.

[Preytorien]

I use braid on all reels, with an additional flouro leader if I am fishing very clear waters. 

 

I'd never go back to anything other than braid