Using a fluorocarbon leader with braid.

[FrogginOhio]

I have 20lb braid on my reel right now. People keep telling me to throw a fluorocarbon leader on with it. But my ? Is how long should I make the leader and what pb test? Any input would help, thanks. 

[tbone1993]

Depends on the tactic your are trying to do. Most of the time 16" is a good leader size. Some guys like longer 5ft+ leaders. I personally just run 50% braid/ fluorocarbon.   6lb or 8lb is my usual leader for a spinning setup. 

[IDUTBass]

I'm sure you will get lots of different answers, but I tie the leader and reel up to where the knot is somewhere between the first eye and the reel. I then tie on what I'm using so when I go to cast, the knot is right between the two. I use anywhere from 14-20 lb leader on my casting setups and 6-10 lb on my spinning.  It depends on cover and water clarity. Hopefully that helps. 

[FrogginOhio]

Thanks for the input guys. Yeah I've heard guys say 10ft all the way to 12in. Just wasn't sure the difference in the length of there is any?

[Crestliner2008]

The most dependent factor is what kind of structure, or cover, are you fishing and which species of bass are you targeting. I know that's not the answer you want to hear, but without more details, everything else is pure speculation. Sorry.

[LunkerFisher]

I like to start with around one arms-length of leader and I'll replace it when it looks too small. I do not like the leader knot to be on my spool.

[Bruce424]

Just depends on how lazy you are to retie line to line knot!! Just kidding. If you make a thin enough knot to go through the guides I usually make my leader the length of the rod.

[FrogginOhio]

Okay cool. I was just wanting some other people's inputs or what they prefer. I'll try different lengths and go from there

[FloridaFishinFool]

I use braid but I never use a leader. No reason to.

IMO, the leader is more than likely- and usually- the weak link in the chain. When and if you lose a fish, take note if it is leader related.

I never use a leader and I don't usually lose a fish- at least in so far as the line breaking.

So why use a leader? I have never seen a fish scared of or run from my braid line. In fact it has been the opposite. I have watched bass hit at the braid line because they saw it move.

So question first why you would even think you need a leader... you may find out you might not.

[Darren.]

Everyone's experience is different as to leader or not.

You can think of it this way: using a leader saves your
braided mainline from depleting with every hook/lure
retie.

Whereas with a leader you can perform multiple reties
before you have to cut and tie on a new one.

The argument can go on ad-nauseum as to tying one or
not. It can be as heated as Shimano vs. Pflueger.

Try it out, you may find it indispensable to your style of 
fishing. I know it is to mine. And I've tried no leader. I just
prefer to use one.

[Airman4754]

1 hour ago, IDUTBass said:

I'm sure you will get lots of different answers, but I tie the leader and reel up to where the knot is somewhere between the first eye and the reel. I then tie on what I'm using so when I go to cast, the knot is right between the two. I use anywhere from 14-20 lb leader on my casting setups and 6-10 lb on my spinning.  It depends on cover and water clarity. Hopefully that helps. 

This. Make sure the knot doesn't go into the reel, that's about the only rule you need to follow. I like a longer leader because it puts less pressure on the knot.

[Darren.]

2 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

This. Make sure the knot doesn't go into the reel, that's about the only rule you need to follow. I like a longer leader because it puts less pressure on the knot.

It should be said that this isn't a hard and fast rule.

There are those (Gary Yamamoto, included) who tie on 
a very long leader because they *want* the knot to be on
the reel when they're getting the fish closer to the boat.

This way, when it fights at the boat, you have no leader
knot to worry about as it is on the reel. It's as if your leader
is the mainline because it is so long. I think Gary ties on
one something in the range of 20 feet.

To each his/her own.

[FloridaFishinFool]

Makes one wonder why he would even use braid if his leader is so long.

[paleus]

I make my leader about 6ft, one wingspan for me, use it until it gets down to a foot or so and then retie. I'm not sure if the visibility makes a ton of difference. I've fished when they didn't seem to care and then other times, having a leader made the difference between bites and no bites. I mainly like it because it is easier than braid to break off if I get hung up. 

[corn-on-the-rob]

3 hours ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

I use braid but I never use a leader. No reason to.

IMO, the leader is more than likely- and usually- the weak link in the chain. When and if you lose a fish, take note if it is leader related.

I never use a leader and I don't usually lose a fish- at least in so far as the line breaking.

So why use a leader? I have never seen a fish scared of or run from my braid line. In fact it has been the opposite. I have watched bass hit at the braid line because they saw it move.

So question first why you would even think you need a leader... you may find out you might not.

I get it. I do, but I have a couple of points.

1. A leader is often made to be the weak link in the chain when it comes to breaking strength. It is often used as the breaking point to save and conserve the mainline braid and also due to the difficulty and strain on your equipment from breaking braid (unless very light braid). It is important to note that this is intentional breaking, like when your lure is stuck. Otherwise, you set your drag and understand that if you have 20lb braid with a 10lb leader, you assume everything is the 10lb strength and act accordingly. A properly selected and carefully tied knot virtually eliminates the possibility of connection knot failure.

2. I have also caught fish out of gin clear water with bright yellow braid and no leader, but I have also seen (anecdotally) a leader matter greatly. It is a classic case of: Will it always matter? No. Can it matter? Yes.

Visibility aside, the number one use for many of us who religiously use FC leaders is abrasion resistance. Braid, especially lower diameter braid, has poor abrasion resistance. Sometimes in wood, but primarily in rock. Thicker braid tends to do better but that is not always the case when compared to equivalent diameter mono or fluoro. It is also important to note that not all rocks are created equal, some play nicer than others, and the mean ones, well, they make it to where a leader is essential. If, and when, you experience these rocks, I promise you will understand the need. I fish a good amount of these mean rocks on lake erie where I have broken off newly tied 30lb braid by only putting the amount of pressure to lift a 3/8oz tube jig off of the bottom numerous times. Slight lift, and suddenly your line is weightless. I literally cannot fish those type of rocks with a bottom bait with braid alone.

I do agree with your philosophy of keeping it simple, because a lot of things us fisherman do are quite unnecessary. But I do believe this is a case where your experience may not reflect or represent the big picture, though your experience and wisdom is valued and certainly appreciated.

[WI_Angler1989]

Like others have said, there's no "right" choice and you'll get a lot of varying opinions. Me, I like as long as I can manage Without the knot getting reeled onto the spool. I havent had too mant issues with the knot passing through the guides. 

The main reason I like longer is just to simplify it for myself. Longer means I can tie on many baits before I run out of leader. If it's too short, you have so little fluoro to work with.