Leader for 30lb braid bass fishing

[garelval2]

So, I got a baitcaster from a neighbor and I would like to set it up with 30lb power pro braid. I have read about people using/not using a leader, some say it makes a difference, and some say it doesn't. Personally I don't want to deal with the leader, but, I thought I would get educated about the leaders used on braided line just in case.

First off, would I just tie regular line directly to the braid, or do I use a tapered leader similar to a fly fishing leader? If I do use a leader what # should I use?

[beardown34]

Tie the mono, fluoro,  or copolymer leader directly to your braid, with a double uni, albright, or FG knot. I use 15# fluoro with my 30lb power pro, but when I'm fishing topwater or moving baits I just go straight braid. 

[CroakHunter]

Use a connection knot such as uni to uni, fg knot, blood knot, Alberto. And I would suggest anywhere from 10-15lb leader. I like p-line cxx as a leader. Its very durable. Fg knot is what I use. It comes through guides well and is very strong. Probably Not the easiest to tie but easy once you get the hang of it. 

[fishnkamp]

Personally here is how i rig all of my reels using braid. Braid and Fluorocarbon line is not cheap. To help avoid having the braid slip on the reel and to save money I start by spooling my  reels half way with good quality mono. My choice is Stren Clear Blue 12 or 14 pound test.  

After that I use a uni-uni knot with the mono and braid. I finish spooling the reel the rest of the way with braid.  Most of the time I use a double uni knot and attach a 5 or 6 foot leader made of P Line CXX moss green copolymer line. I like 8 and 10 pound test. That line is tough, 8 pound test breaks close to 18 pounds, and the 10 usually test out around 22 pounds. That is all I need to use and it works in deep clear lakes like Dale Hollow Lake in TN & KY, and here on the tidal rivers like the Upper Bay stretch of the Susquehanna Flats as well as the Potomac River.

[rippin-lips]

You can use any size leader you want. Let your situation dictate that part. I run a leader from #6-15 depending on what I'm fishing. Modified Albright knot works great for joining 2 lines together. Adjust your number of wraps for thinner and thicker lines. 

[Quarry Man]

typical 30 lb braid has and 8 lb mono diameter, so techi=nically speaking, the 8 lb leader would be closest to its max breaking point, but 8 lb test is likely too weak for a casting reel. I would stick to 12 latest. you should still be able to get around 11.5 - 11.75 lbs if tied correctly, that is plenty for open water. increase if you need too, but a the diameter gets farther from 8 lb test, the overall strength will diminish from 100% to less and less as the difference increases. sorry this is confusing but it is true.