Leader for reels?

[Darren.]

I used to use mono backing, but have gone straight braid

over the past couple years. All reels have braided mainline

and all reels have a leader of either Gamma Edge fluoro or

Yo-Zuri Hybrid. Braid is more cost effective for me as it 

will last much longer, and using a leader means I cut into

the mainline less when changing baits...

 

I never worry about my knot, 100% confidence in the 

uni-to-uni. Can't remember last time it broke on me.

[sully420]

I think its a personal preference that people develope over time. Personally i only use leaders on spinning tackle. I am considering useing short mono leaders for top water trebble hook baits.

[Brad in Texas]

I may have already posted this, that the pro bass anglers often throw straight fluorocarbon on casting and spinning reels . . . because they have line sponsors and many of them have unlimited access to these lines. Expense is not an issue. So, they change out often, and fresh fluorocarbon after a good stretch is pretty decent line for casting and other handling issues. Where most of us "mortals" have issues is how it performs over time when it sits on a reel.

 

The "knot being the weakest link" idea. So very true. But, if you re-tie a leader always taking out a fresh leader, even re-tying on the water if you are fishing areas known to be rough on lines, or have caught quite a few fish . . . a junction leader knot is likely to be at least equal to, not inferior to, the issues with abraded line from wear and tear on well-used lines. My point here is a fresh 8' leader, the knot required to attach it, is likely no more problematic, no more susceptible to breakage than the last 8 feet of any straight mainline fished with (braid, mono or fluoro) that is all nicked up. Leaders do require good knots. If you can't tie one very accurately, you could have issues for sure. 

 

A 150 yard spool of, say, Seaguar Invizx, will give you 56 eight feet leaders. Pretty cheap used this way.

 

Brad 

[LionHeart]

Braid as backing? Never heard that one.

 

I use braid for main line on every setup for 2 reasons.  I want the 'give' to be in my rod, not my line, and braid IMO is much easier to handle and cast due to no line memory.  Typical leader length for me is 5-8 ft.

[J Francho]

I only use a bit of old mono to lock the braid to the arbor. I don’t back my fluoro reels with anything. The connection knot is annoying. For braid, no leader in weeds, leader for wood and rocks. 

[Deleted account]

3 hours ago, Brad in Texas said:

A 150 yard spool of, say, Seaguar Invizx, will give you 56 eight feet leaders. Pretty cheap used this way.

 

Only if you can tie them with a 3" tag...

[Boomstick]

There is no right or wrong, it comes down to preference really. I like braid to leader because it casts better (less line twist) and you can switch up your leader size as appropriate. Running straight flurocarbon can be a little cheaper and quicker to spool up as you don't have to buy mono backing, braid than leader.

 

 

[J Francho]

Line choice really is very personal. If you don’t know any better, and what you’re using is working, then that’s the best. It’s when you encounter some situation where things are failing and you’re losing fish that we all try to find the culprit and fix it. 

 

Its not the line.  It’s the system. Look at everything, and figure what’s what. No ones advice in here is wrong, but it might not take into account what’s going on under the water in your lake. 

 

Theres a a ton of experience in these threads. Distill that into your system.