Using a leader to lose less line during snags?

[junyer357]

17 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Interesting.  I have seen spools specifically labeled 'leader', but I assumed that it was either a gimmick, or superfluous.  Seemed to me that fluoro or hybrid would suffice just fine for my leaders....and they have.  Are you suggesting that xyz 20# fluorocarbon leader is somehow different than xyx 20# fluorocarbon line?

Yes. I have seaguar 10# invisx and 10# blue label leader the leader is noticeably stiffer and better for abrasion, but worse to break if it gets bent hard. 

[WI_Angler1989]

That's definitely high on my list of pros when it comes to using leaders. I find that more times than not, when I snag and break off I don't lose anything further up than the knot. So the only braid I lose is the amount it takes to tie the leaders. It's a huge plus!

[Choporoz]

7 minutes ago, junyer357 said:

Yes. I have seaguar 10# invisx and 10# blue label leader the leader is noticeably stiffer and better for abrasion, but worse to break if it gets bent hard. 

I guess that makes me continue to question the practicality...one of my problems with using hybrid as a leader is how brittle it gets when 'creased' (or near creased.)  It works well as a leader, BUT I have to be careful, particularly when using thinner diameter braids - because the leader knot can become a weak point -- sounds like your leader material might have a similar concern.

 

[junyer357]

Most of my knot failures come at the leader knot, not the hook knot. I use an improved alberto knot (but learning the fg knot now) to connect to braid, and the "shaw grigsby youtube" knot on all flouro hook knots

One thing i learned helping me on my hook knots is not tightening the dog snot out of it like i would mono. Doing so stretches and weakens it. I pull it snug and tight but dont over do it,then just leave 1/8-1/4 inch tag ends. If the didnt see the first 3ft of leader the extra tag end wont matter either. 

I think most of my line to leader knot failres are partially from the same issue, as well as it getting beat on by line guides repeatedly. 

I only use 3-5ft of leader at a time so its not reaching my spool, nor do i have a lot of places for it to get a hard enough bend to matter except for the knots.