Braid to leader - be honest

[BassThumb]

The best advice I can leave here is to use fluorocarbon designed as leader material.

 

It's a little stiffer than standard fluoro, but it's tough as nails and ties much, much better knots that rarely need to be retied. I typically get 4-6 trips before I feel the need.

 

Since I started using this type of line, I have not once broken the braid-to-fluoro knot, and that used to happen regularly when I used standard fluorocarbon line. I use 10# Sufix 832 on all my spinning setups with a Double-Uni knot connecting braid to leader, and I've landed anything from 15 lb. pike wrapped in milfoil to a 7 lb. smallmouth in three-foot rolling waves.

 

I prefer the Trilene leader material in 6# for bass and walleye, and 4# for panfish. It's $10 for 25 yards, but a 6-10' section will last you a dozen trips at least.

[Fisher-O-men]

13 hours ago, fishindad said:

I've got 58 year old eyes and it seems next to impossible to tie on the boat.

Yep, tough to tie with the braid in your mouth like many videos show.  I rigged up a paper clip to hook the braid to my shirt button.  That puts the knot far enough away that I can see what i am doing.  I only tie the FG at home.  Alberto on the boat.  I hardly ever have to tie on the boat, though. 

[Jason Penn]

i've tried to get on board witht the braid/leader deal, but i'm just not comfortable with it.  i may not be fishing fast enough to keep slack out of my line.

 

i saw a youtube video with shaw grigsby where he was saying he's using probably a 25'-30' leader on his spinning rigs.  is anybody else doing this, and are you having any problems with it?

[Crestliner2008]

I'm an Alberto knot fan here too. Been using it for a lot of years now, from 2# test up to 14# test, with comparable braids. Extremely rare that the break occurs at this joint. The Alberto is actually a weave and not a knot, so it has the highest fail safe, while maintaining a low profile for line moving through guides. I'd only offer one other consideration. When you cinch it up, do so slowly; pausing frequently during this set. It reduces heat build up in the line, from the cinching process.

 

I only retie a leader once or twice each season. On rigs less frequently used, I'll go a full season with no worries at all. I don't think you need as long a leader as you are using though. 4' - 6' is plenty to give you the shock absorption that you need.

[Darren.]

1 hour ago, Jason Penn said:

i've tried to get on board witht the braid/leader deal, but i'm just not comfortable with it.  i may not be fishing fast enough to keep slack out of my line.

 

i saw a youtube video with shaw grigsby where he was saying he's using probably a 25'-30' leader on his spinning rigs.  is anybody else doing this, and are you having any problems with it?

 

Gary Yamamoto does this, too. His reasoning is that

he wants the leader knot on the reel when he's in

closer combat trying to get the fish on the boat.

 

I've not found the need for such a long leader. Guess

it's whatever they feel most confident with.

[craww]

Used the alberto for years and don't think I've ever lost a fish due to a failure...My PB managed to find a horizontal log I wasnt aware of directly under the boat the first day I tried it...One of the most tense moments of my life listening to the piano string tension of the line sawing but she held.

 

I have had some snags that resulted in breaking off that felt like it broke a little too easily, but nothing alarmingly so.

[fishindad]

OK, you guys are killing me. The most recent break was on Sunday, where I was using 14lb YGK with a 6lb Sniper leader, which I tied the night before using 8 wraps up and 8 wraps down making sure the tag end went through the same way as it went in. It just snapped at the knot about 2 hours into fishing an 1/8th oz. slider. I've tied the Alberto knot dozens of times and always wet the knot and pull slowly watching close to make sure the wraps coil nicely around the leader loop. I do think shortening the leader will help - I worship Gary Y. but am not yet on board with the 25 foot leader deal even though that logic makes some sense. I think the more the knot goes through the guides, especially with hard pulling fish, the more wear that occurs. I'll recheck all my rod guides and try the FG knot next. And I've been meaning to switch to using leader material anyway.

 

My takeaway is it doesn't matter what brand the main line (braid) is, a 4-6 foot leader seems best (for me) since I tend not to change lures more than once or twice an outing, actual fluoro leader is better, and don't give up on the alberto knot just yet!

[mreservices]

I used to use the Alberto knot and am now using the FG knot.  With both, I have never had a break and I do pass the know through my guides.  I typically don't have to re-tie unless I need a longer leader.  I use Suffix Nanobraid to Sunline Super FC Sniper.  This is for spinning gear.  Hope that helps some.

[KDW96]

9 hours ago, BassThumb said:

The best advice I can leave here is to use fluorocarbon designed as leader material.

 

It's a little stiffer than standard fluoro, but it's tough as nails and ties much, much better knots that rarely need to be retied. I typically get 4-6 trips before I feel the need.

 

Since I started using this type of line, I have not once broken the braid-to-fluoro knot, and that used to happen regularly when I used standard fluorocarbon line. I use 10# Sufix 832 on all my spinning setups with a Double-Uni knot connecting braid to leader, and I've landed anything from 15 lb. pike wrapped in milfoil to a 7 lb. smallmouth in three-foot rolling waves.

 

I prefer the Trilene leader material in 6# for bass and walleye, and 4# for panfish. It's $10 for 25 yards, but a 6-10' section will last you a dozen trips at least.

 

I also have found, that actual leader material far outlast regular fluoro. Yes,theres alot less on a spool, but it is made different and lasts longer. I use to believe there was no difference. Until my friend and guide for 35yrs in florida,schooled me on the difference,with on the water proof. The only brand i use is Seagur BLUE LABEL

[WRB]

You need to ask yourself why use a leader longer then the rod? Next you need to ask why use a leader? I don't use braid with a leader because of the need to join the leader with a knot and the lure with a second knot.

Making 45-50 cast per hour is a problem in it's self unles you are blindly casting the shoreline without thinking where the next cast should be or where the bass are located.

Primium mono is a good choice for crank baits or faster moving lures unless it's across the top or into of heavy cover, then braid is a good choice. FC should be reserved for where it maybe needed, slower moving bottom contact lures in sparse cover or more open water structure presentations.

Tom