Leader ?'s

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, I've been resisting a leader for a long time as I'm just not confident in my leader knot skills but figured why not attempt to learn the skill...just because I know how doesn't mean I need to use a leader. So, assuming I learn how to tie a couple of good leader knots like an FG or an Alberto etc., how long should your leader be? How often should you re-tie a leader (I am usually just a weekend warrior with an occasional weeknight foray...definitely not one of those guys who spend 6 - 8 hours a day 3 or 4 days a week fishing)? Do you want to match the line diameter of the braid to the mono/fluoro? Any thoughts would be appreciated! I still think I'll probably direct tie most of the time but if I do decide to use a leader I would like to be educated in it's use and purpose?

[J Francho]

Can't answer any of those questions until stating specifically why you want to add a leader to a specific rig.

 

For example: I want to use braid on my dock jig rod, but the line (50#) is hard to break off when I get hung up.  Pick a leader material that is strong enough for the hook set, but can broken with out too much pulling.  10# co-poly would be a good choice here.

 

 

[Brett's_daddy]

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Can't answer any of those questions until stating specifically why you want to add a leader to a specific rig.

I'm not really sure either. I'm thinking maybe my all-around rod that would be used for spinnerbaits, senkos/craws, swim jigs, jerkbaits, jigs, T-rigs etc.

[J Francho]

For that application, I use 12# CXX.  Braid isn't necessary for any of those baits.  Braid doesn't fit into my "all purpose" frame.

[webertime]

All very personal.  I'd start just learning the knots ( I hear walmart has cheap braid to use for practice).  Then figuring out what you might need a leader for like JF said.

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, webertime said:

I hear walmart has cheap braid to use for practice fishing

 

Fixed that.  Was using Kastking pink braid and one of their reels.  Landed a 25# carp (not really what I after, but what the heck), and the stuff held up fine.  I did use mid level Pinnacle rod.

[webertime]

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

 

Fixed that.  Was using Kastking pink braid and one of their reels.  Landed a 25# carp (not really what I after, but what the heck), and the stuff held up fine.  I did use mid level Pinnacle rod.

I'm going to give the Ebay $9 for 600 yards 10lb braid a shot this year.  (I think it's the same as Kastking)

 

[J Francho]

I've never used braid that light.  The 15# Power Pro is about as fine as I'll go. 

[XpressJeff]

I've never gone below 20# braid..

 

I am just fishing again after a long hiatus and I am trying to use a leader for drop-shot applications and some worming.

 

When using a uni to uni I finish with a drop of super glue. Not sure where I saw that. Thoughts?

 

I keep it short so it doesn't go through the eyes too.

[MickD]

Braid is fine for just about all applications.  I love the feel of a fish hitting a spinnerbait or just about anything else-very solid, no doubt about it kind of feel.  It's great for finesse, the most sensitive of the lines, and in weights like 15 or 20, will cast a mile.  

 

I would focus on an easy to tie knot, like a double uni first, then branch out into others if you see a need.  Uni is easy to tie right, reliable, and quite strong.

 

I recommend your starting with 15 or 20 pound braid, a good name brand.  Some off brand stuff is not that great.  Leaders should be about 15 to 20 pound test, either FC or mono.  I really like hard mono designed to be a leader, not a line.  Same for FC.  More expensive, but you don't use much.  Length can be about anything.  As mentioned, if you have trouble with your knot going through guides, use a shorter leader and cast with it outside the guides.  I use from 4-6 feet.  With most guides a double uni on 15 or 20 braid and 15 or 20 mono/FC will go through the guides fine.  Check it out every few hours of casting to see if it's getting beaten up.  Retie if it is.

 

The FG knot is a great knot, the smallest and strongest knot IF IT'S TIED RIGHT.  It's not easy to learn, and it's easy to screw up.  After you have mastered the double uni, practice the FG while watching TV.  Don't use it on the water until you have really mastered it.  After you've mastered it, do not change a thing.  Anything different that you do will probably not work out well.

 

 

[KDW96]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

Braid is fine for just about all applications.  I love the feel of a fish hitting a spinnerbait or just about anything else-very solid, no doubt about it kind of feel.  It's great for finesse, the most sensitive of the lines, and in weights like 15 or 20, will cast a mile.  

 

I would focus on an easy to tie knot, like a double uni first, then branch out into others if you see a need.  Uni is easy to tie right, reliable, and quite strong.

 

I recommend your starting with 15 or 20 pound braid, a good name brand.  Some off brand stuff is not that great.  Leaders should be about 15 to 20 pound test, either FC or mono.  I really like hard mono designed to be a leader, not a line.  Same for FC.  More expensive, but you don't use much.  Length can be about anything.  As mentioned, if you have trouble with your knot going through guides, use a shorter leader and cast with it outside the guides.  I use from 4-6 feet.  With most guides a double uni on 15 or 20 braid and 15 or 20 mono/FC will go through the guides fine.  Check it out every few hours of casting to see if it's getting beaten up.  Retie if it is.

 

The FG knot is a great knot, the smallest and strongest knot IF IT'S TIED RIGHT.  It's not easy to learn, and it's easy to screw up.  After you have mastered the double uni, practice the FG while watching TV.  Don't use it on the water until you have really mastered it.  After you've mastered it, do not change a thing.  Anything different that you do will probably not work out well.

 

 

 

Well done sir. Esspecially the part of using actual leader material. I do use 8 an 10pd leader also. Seguar BLUE LABEL

 

Also the FG knot works extremely well...........