Straight braid... or no??

[PatrickMc]

just spooled some spiderwire stealth 30lb (dark) green braid onto my baitcaster and I was wondering if I could get away with not using a leader. Could I go straight braid in some conditions/lures and not with others? I thought it may be fine since 30lb isn't too thick... what do you guys think?

 

Thanks!

[Gundog]

I use braid with no leader for jig and texas rig fishing in heavy cover like thick weeds, matted grass and heavy lily pads. No need for a leader in those conditions.

[.ghoti.]

avocados need a little seasoning

[Scott F]

I never use a leader. Try it. You can always add one later if you are convinced you need it.

[MassYak85]

Many guys never use a leader, I do. But it depends on the technique. For a lot of things I still like straight braid. Like topwaters. 

[doyle8218]

I don't feel it makes a difference to the fish in any condition.

[fishnkamp]

First I always spool up the reel 1/2 the way with 14 pound mono which makes it cheaper to spool but also makes sure the braid does not spin on the spool. That causes the reel to act like the drag is not working.   Braid and fluoro is not cheap to just waste, so some things like spinnerbaits,  carolina rigs and jigs I tie directly but really using  a good leader made of say P Line CXX moss green in 10 pound test helps add abrasion resistance and the addition of a quality Fluoro can help make the line disappear in clearer water. Remember each time you cut a lure off and retie you are using up expensive braid instead of cheaper mono or copoly line.  When I use fluoro line for a leader I am using up the remainder of a spool after spooling say two reels.

[Gundog]

2 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

avocados need a little seasoning

^^^^^This

[crypt]

I like no leader,don't want to trust another knot. also the braid will be stronger than the leader.

[WRB]

I am from the dark ages before monofilament line when braid was all there was and managed to catch lots of bass. Today's super braids are small diameter 30 lb is about the same diameter as 10 lb Dacron braid line in the 50's.

Yes you can fish braid without a leader and catch bass. The advantage of using a leader is the ability to break off snagged lures easily, the disadvantage is 2 knots to fail.

Bass are not usually line shy fish, but they can be.

Choices!

Tom

[YakPirate]

Never used leaders in the past and have been somewhat successful as well. Just didn't see the point of adding another link in a chain that was long enough already. Also , can't stand the thought of a knot of any size passing through my guides every cast. shudder at the thought!.. but i do understand it makes sense in some conditions, but those crystal clear conditions are a rarity in my area. 

[blckshirt98]

I go straight braid on reaction baits.  Tried a leader at first but the extra work with tying knots and whatnot didn't seem worth it, and the bass seem to bite when tying direct just fine.

[Luna2406]

I wacky worm fish a lot and I realized my sensitivity takes a hit the longer my flouro leader is. I do always use a leader tho, helps my worms fall more naturally. 

[Ratherbfishing]

On 8/7/2016 at 2:45 PM, .ghoti. said:

avocados need a little seasoning

Scratching my head on this one.

I've had bass that didn't seem to give a hoot and on other days, it mattered a lot.  

[fishnkamp]

A well tied double uni to uni knot has no problem going through my rods guides, even my micro rods. There are some other high quality knots that work well too.