Question about fluoro leader length for spinning reels in clear water?

[fishindad]

On 6/11/2017 at 1:42 PM, WRB said:

The reason most anglers use leaders 20' up to 30' is it elinimates connecting knot issue when landing bass, the leader knot is wound onto to spool. 

Tom

 

On 6/11/2017 at 1:02 PM, Big Bait Fishing said:

i use a 12-15 ft. flouro leader for the line to sink keeping a staighter path to my bait , taking the bow out of the line making hook sets quicker and bites to be detected a lot better . using the longer leader with braid eliminates all the headaches out of using flouro as a mainline ...

 

These two responses are what I agree are valid reasons for using an extra long leader (greater than 6-8 feet). I am no dropshot expert nor an expert with braid-to-fluoro but in my experiences catching and landing some 3-5lb smallmouths, there's a lot more added stress and friction on the knot running in the guides when you get a smallie boatside and he does the usual surges and digs. Best to have the leader knot on the spool or short enough so it doesn't get past the tiptop. To Big Bait's point I've heard Seth Feider say that is the reason for him using a 25 ft+ leader on Mille Lacs dropshotting for smallies. Drops quicker and more sensitive/direct. I use 2 identical dropshot setups, one spooled with straight 8lb Sniper for video game dropshotting and another identical setup for casting with braid + FC leader. In the latter case my leader is roughly 6-8 feet so the knot is rarely ever past the tip top as I never reel the fish in that close. I also have gone to 8lb leader (used to use 6 and 7lb) and find I almost never break off and need to retie. I absolutely believe straight FC is the way to go when dropping directly on top the fish. I feel braid doesn't give me any added sensitivity with only 30-40 feet (about 1.5-2 boat lengths) of line out compared to straight FC. Braid is the best handling line for spinning reels but is not very good casting in crosswinds (huge bow in line) or a slack line presentation.

[Big Bait Fishing]

4 hours ago, fishindad said:

 

 

These two responses are what I agree are valid reasons for using an extra long leader (greater than 6-8 feet). I am no dropshot expert nor an expert with braid-to-fluoro but in my experiences catching and landing some 3-5lb smallmouths, there's a lot more added stress and friction on the knot running in the guides when you get a smallie boatside and he does the usual surges and digs. Best to have the leader knot on the spool or short enough so it doesn't get past the tiptop. To Big Bait's point I've heard Seth Feider say that is the reason for him using a 25 ft+ leader on Mille Lacs dropshotting for smallies. Drops quicker and more sensitive/direct. I use 2 identical dropshot setups, one spooled with straight 8lb Sniper for video game dropshotting and another identical setup for casting with braid + FC leader. In the latter case my leader is roughly 6-8 feet so the knot is rarely ever past the tip top as I never reel the fish in that close. I also have gone to 8lb leader (used to use 6 and 7lb) and find I almost never break off and need to retie. I absolutely believe straight FC is the way to go when dropping directly on top the fish. I feel braid doesn't give me any added sensitivity with only 30-40 feet (about 1.5-2 boat lengths) of line out compared to straight FC. Braid is the best handling line for spinning reels but is not very good casting in crosswinds (huge bow in line) or a slack line presentation.

i never have a problem with my connection knot on any of my braid to leader set ups , and i have micro guides on ALL of my rods . right now on my spinning set up i have 6 lb.Neon Lime 832 to 6 lb. Sniper running through 3.5 Fuji's /

[fishindad]

14 hours ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

i never have a problem with my connection knot on any of my braid to leader set ups , and i have micro guides on ALL of my rods . right now on my spinning set up i have 6 lb.Neon Lime 832 to 6 lb. Sniper running through 3.5 Fuji's /

 

Yeah but I don't believe you have big, mean brownies down in San Diego, do you?  I think you guys might have meanmouths though. Tussle with a couple dozen 3-5 lb smallies and see what they can do to your knots, lol. As an aside, I have upsized my lines when fishing the Great Lakes mostly because of the zebra mussels and the toothy critters. I rarely use 6lb leader any more. I honestly don't think bass can discern between 4lb and 20lb fluoro underwater. I admit that using heavier lb line does impede the lure's (jig, plastic, etc) action. I do still keep a rod rigged with 6lb for Ned rigs though.