Fishing braid straight or with a leader

[Dwight Hottle]

On 10/29/2018 at 12:58 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

Bass will eat an A rig in clear water with thick wire arms, big snap swivels, and stuff sticking out everywhere, but braid is going to spook them? There may be times, but maybe our fish are dumb because I haven't seen it.

 

I fish leaders on spinning gear for abrasion resistance around rocks covered with zebra mussels and for ROF but rarely for visibility. 

 

Straight braid 100% of the time on casting gear. 

Knowing your fish exploits and success as a multi species angler would indicate straight braid does indeed catch a lot of fish without sacrificing bites.

[Choporoz]

I use braid with a leader for......

On 10/28/2018 at 10:42 AM, JoshFromBolo said:

visibility, line abrasion, benefits of mono/fluro, saves mainline, shock absorber,

and to be able to break off hard snags

[ClackerBuzz]

If you fish quality water, have a good ecosystem and/or aggressive fish you can absolutely use straight braid.

If you fish poor water, have a poor ecosystem, and/or skiddish fish you absolutely will get more bites using a leader.

[Bluebasser86]

For you guys having a hard time breaking off if you get snagged with straight braid, I do one of two things. First is wrap the line several times around the handle of my pliers and pull hard, that's usually enough to break it, straighten the hook, or pull it loose. Second, wrap the line around the boat cleat and troll straight back from the snag. That one works every time if I have to resort to it. 

[CrankFate]

On 10/29/2018 at 10:30 PM, Scott F said:

They are so smart that they can reason and they see line like braid and won't eat anything attached to it, but anything the mono or FC line (that really is still visible) is attached to is OK? And then, these fish that are so smart, try to eat a hunk of wood, plastic or metal without sensing any problems? Really? 

I don’t know if the mono and FC are visible. But forget it, fish are impossible to figure out. Some days they see perfect, other days they’re blind.

On 10/29/2018 at 11:35 PM, Russ E said:

Like some people have already stated, I use the leader more for abrasion resistance and the ability to break off in a snag. 

I use 10lb braid with an 8lb leader on my Ned rig rod. Last week I forgot the leader material and had to use straight braid. Did not notice any lack of bites, from using straight braid. Did have to retie more often, because 10lb braid is not very forgiving if it gets nicks in the line.

+1 I like enough stretch to prevent fish from wiggling or headshaking the hook out. LMB are experts at rolling belly up to shake the hook, with something elastic it makes it harder for them to throw the hook. 

[LuffDaddy]

I've been using a fluorocarbon leader since I started fishing and after reading these responses im really starting to think I'm wasting my time lol. I just took the leader off my worm / t-rig rod and retied. I'll let ya know how I do tomorrow morning ??