When to use a leader

[papagravey]

How clear does the water need to be before I start worrying about a leader. Lately when I use a leader the mono and flouro just get cut on the brush.  

[Choporoz]

See if either of these ancient discussions help at all.  Let us know if you have additional questions we can offer conflicting answers to

 

 

[Darren.]

I just use a leader all the time. For me it is less about

line visibility (or not) than about saving my braided

mainline. I do like the abrasion resistance, as well.

 

If you think of it that way, you won't really worry about

visibility. Have you noticed your braid getting sliced on

the brush as well?

[papagravey]

3 minutes ago, Darren. said:

I just use a leader all the time. For me it is less about

line visibility (or not) than about saving my braided

mainline. I do like the abrasion resistance, as well.

 

If you think of it that way, you won't really worry about

visibility. Have you noticed your braid getting sliced on

the brush as well?

When I switched to straight braid I didn’t break off anymore. 

[Darren.]

14 minutes ago, papagravey said:

When I switched to straight braid I didn’t break off anymore. 

That's interesting.

 

What test fluoro have you been using?

 

I mainly use 6, 8, and 10# test. Lots of 

timber in my fishing spots. Rarely does it 

abrade my leaders. Fish teeth tend to do

more on that front  .

[papagravey]

1 minute ago, Darren. said:

That's interesting.

 

What test fluoro have you been using?

 

I mainly use 6, 8, and 10# test. Lots of 

timber in my fishing spots. Rarely does it 

abrade my leaders. Fish teeth tend to do

more on that front  .

Now that I think about it I believe I had mono on not flouro. But I normally use 15 lb. where I fish anything below that your just asking for problems

 

[roadwarrior]

19 hours ago, Darren. said:

I just use a leader all the time. For me it is less about

line visibility (or not) than about saving my braided

mainline. I do like the abrasion resistance, as well.

 

If you think of it that way, you won't really worry about

visibility. Have you noticed your braid getting sliced on

the brush as well?

I also need the ability to break-off on occasion. With braided line I ALWAYS use a leader.

 

[papagravey]

50 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I also need the ability to break-off on occasion. With braided line I ALWAYS use a leader.

 

which knot do you tie for leaders?

 

[OnthePotomac]

Depends on the water you fish for clarity.  A leader is not required on the Tidal Potomac on any line.  Kinda nice not having to mess with it.  Now watch Toxic say he uses one (but he is far more expert with longevity on the river than me). LOL

[Darren.]

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

I also need the ability to break-off on occasion. With braided line I ALWAYS use a leader.

 

Great point. In my bag of "mention next time" items.  

 

1 hour ago, papagravey said:

which knot do you tie for leaders?

 

There are two excellent knots I use, the uni-to-uni,

and the Alberto (aka Modified Albright).

 

There are excellent tutorials for both, googling will

bring them up quickly.

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, papagravey said:

which knot do you tie for leaders?

 

Alberto Knot

[LionHeart]

FG.  Seriously thin and stout knot.

[Boomstick]

Here are my personal rules:

  -If I am running a spinning rod spooled with braid for finesse techniques, I will always add a leader.

  -If I am fishing moving baits, I won't bother. The fish aren't going to notice when chasing your lure.

  -If I am fishing jigs or soft plastics in clear water for finicky fish, I'll add an appropriately sized leader.

  -If I am fishing near rocks and run the risk of getting stuck in the rocks or abrasion, I will add a leader. If nothing else, it will save my braided line.

 

 

 

[Shimano_1]

As stated,  i always run a leader on my braid with the exception of topwater fishing. If u use quality fluorocarbon abrasion resistance shouldn't be an issue. Also as stated let's u save ur main braid line.  Good luck 

[rippin-lips]

Here’s what I get from using a leader.

 

shock absorbtion

trebles and thin wire hooks

 

abrasion resistance 

toothy fish,rocks, and zebra mussels

 

breaking off snags

lose 4ft instead of 20ft