Leaders for dummies

[starkeer]

Growing up I fished pretty pretty much exclusively mono, then switched to using mostly braid about 5 years ago. Now that I am trying to get in to fishing more seriously, I have noticed  that a lot of guys prefer use fluoro leaders. I understand the benefits of using a leader but am curious how people make it efficient? To me, using a leader has always meant more time tying extra knots and spending more time without a line in the water. Any advice on how to make it a quick, simple process? 

 

Thanks,

[CroakHunter]

Use straight braid, mono, copolymer if you want to spend less time tying knots. Fluorocarbon is known for not having great knot strength and being particular about which knots hold up well with it. Used to be a fan of leaders until I fished a tourney and had to re-tie a few leaders from break offs or form leaders getting short and that was a lot of time wasted. If you are dead set on using a leader practice is the only thing that can make you more efficient. I'd suggest p-line cxx or big game for leader over fluoro.

[Angry John]

I tie long leaders and start each outing or Turney with a new one.  7-8 feet will get you through most days no problem.  If your dropshoting in deep clear water it's more like a topshot where the leader may be 20-30 feet. I can tight an Alberto in a few second's so in an emergency doing one over is no major loss for time on the water.  Others take me much longer but I am sure there a people using other knots that they can tie fast.

[burrows]

It’s not that much of a hassle once you get used to it.

[starkeer]

What line do you recommend? what knots do you tie? 

[burrows]

Double uni knot I usually use pline cx premium as a leader I like a pretty long leader begging just above the bail running back all the way down to the bail. I only use a leader with my spinning setups. The knot goes threw the guides with no problems.

[Bluebasser86]

My rule of thumb

 

Casting gear with braid-no leader, ever.

Spinning gear with braid-short mono leader only if I need abrasion resistance or a different sink rate, otherwise, no leader. 

 

I use an Alberto knot when I'm tying a leader. Very easy to tie, strong, and low profile to clear guides easily. 

[junyer357]

I use leaders alot. All my spinning rods have braid. I am trying braid with a leader on my jig and worm rods now, but am insure if i like it. I may go back to straight flouro still. 

 

I use an alberto knot only. I tried the fg but it was not worth the extra time time and hassle to me. I refuse to use micro eye rods (tried and hates them) so a tight alberto isnt a problem casting. 

 

For my leaders i use seaguar blue label leader material. I tie my lures on all my flouro with the "shaw grigsby youtube" knot. Its simple and quick and works great. Just be sure to slobber/lube really well with any knot on flouro, and cinch it tight but dont pull the dog snot out of it either. 

[Scott F]

11 hours ago, starkeer said:

Growing up I fished pretty pretty much exclusively mono, then switched to using mostly braid about 5 years ago. Now that I am trying to get in to fishing more seriously, I have noticed  that a lot of guys prefer use fluoro leaders. I understand the benefits of using a leader but am curious how people make it efficient? To me, using a leader has always meant more time tying extra knots and spending more time without a line in the water. Any advice on how to make it a quick, simple process? 

 

Thanks,

What problems are you having that you think a leader will solve?

[ww2farmer]

I have been a braid to leader guy for about 10 years now.

 

I use the alberto knot, it's simple, strong, has never failed me, and I can tie it with my eyes closed.

 

Only time I don't use one is for frogging, punching very very thick grass or top water. I tie direct to the braid for that.

 

I used to tie direct to braid in dirty water, but found when I was flipping and pitching around shallow wood/docks/etc, if I got hung, 50lb braid was difficult to break, so I started using leaders here too. They break off easier, and allow my to not waste braid, or have to go in on top of what I was fishing to cut off, or free a snag.

 

On casting gear for pitching and flipping applications, I use a short leader....2-3 feet, for casting applications, I use a 5-6 foot leader. I match the leader strength to the application. For example, on a H power rod with 50 braid, say flipping a jig around boat docks/laydowns/etc...I will use a 17 or 20 lb leader. On the other hand, fishing clearer water on a deep weed line, with a MH rod , 30 lb braid and t-rigged plastic, I might use a 12 or 15 lb leader.

 

On spinning tackle, I use 10lb braid exclusively, and five or six feet of a 6, 8, or 10lb leader depending on the application. 

[OkobojiEagle]

11 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

My rule of thumb

leader //// if I need abrasion resistance or a different sink rate, otherwise, no leader. 

 

I use an Alberto knot when I'm tying a leader. Very easy to tie, strong, and low profile to clear guides easily. 

...or throwing walking top water baits and hard jerkbaits to prevent walking over the line with the trebles.

 

oe

[Boomstick]

There are two advantages to using a braid to fluoro/copoly/mono leader:

 

#1) Braid does not twist like other lines, so you will likely not have any line twist isues.

 

#2) You can change out your leader with something appropriate for where you are fishing. This takes a bit of time to change so I usually put on an appropriate leaders for where I am fishing in the morning or the night before and use them until they break off or you need to change it.

 

There are two major disadvanages:

 

#1) Line cost. You now have to buy braid and a leader, and braid and fluorocarbon tends to be a more expensive line as well.

 

#2) You will ultimately be tying more knots.

 

Personally, I prefer braid to leader but occasionally I will skip the braid and throw on straight fluorocarbon or mono if I expect to be changing the line out again for something else.

[Bluebasser86]

27 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

...or throwing walking top water baits and hard jerkbaits to prevent walking over the line with the trebles.

 

oe

I never use a leader for topwater walking baits and haven't ever had the problem of the line tangle that everyone talks about. I don't ever fish jerkbaits on braid so can't comment there.

[OkobojiEagle]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I never use a leader for topwater walking baits and haven't ever had the problem of the line tangle that everyone talks about. I don't ever fish jerkbaits on braid so can't comment there.

... a sorcerer of the black arts!

[Robin]

I always use leaders when fishing braid. It took a bit of trial and error plus some practice, but I finally settled

on the Alberto knot and P-Line CXX. I tried several brands of flouro but the knot strength just wasn't consistent.

The CXX has not caused any knot problems and it is very abrasion resistant. Yes, it is stiff, but we are talking about a leader here and not a whole spool of line. I have not had any problems passing the knot through micro-guides either.

[Darren.]

I use a leader for everything, regardless of technique.

 

Just my preference. For me I look at it as saving my

braided mainline from frequent retying. Uni-to-Uni

my first choice, second is Alberto (Mod'd Albright).

 

Both are excellent. Just make sure you set your drag

accordingly. I.e., light leader, don't lock down the drag.