Leader to Main: Diameter Question

[Corey T]

Quick one: When deciding what # to use, how concerned should I be with line diameter for knot strength? Is the goal to keep the diameters relatively close or does it matter? For instance, I have 40# braid that is comparable to 10# mono. Would I want to stick closer to maybe 8-12 or would going down to 6# or up to 17# be okay?

[roadwarrior]

It makes no difference.

 

[Smokinal]

I'm with ^^^, doesn't matter with that small of a difference.  I choose my leader # by the cover/technique I'm fishing.

[WRB]

Knots are easier to tie and more reliable when line diameters are similar in diameter. Braid isn't round and is soft compared to monofilament or FC  line used for leaders and that is a problem to over come with the knot you choose to use. The simplist knot is a blood knot verses the more complex knots that wrap around both lines being joined.

Tom

[king fisher]

Depends on the knot.  Blood knot, Uni to Uni, and nail knot to nail knot will work as long as the leader (mono, or Floro) doesn't make the knot to big to go through the guides.  FG knot requires the leader to be larger in size than the braid, otherwise the braid wont dig into the leader properly.  Alberto works best with the leader being larger, but will work with lines the same size.                                                                                                                                                       FG knot is the strongest and slimmest, and is becoming the most common braid to leader knot for many salt water applications.  I would be surprised to see it have that kind of popularity for most fresh water fishing.  I don't use the FG with the lighter lines I use bass fishing, though I'm sure there are many on this forum that do with great success.

[mcipinkie]

I'll tell you my rule, for what it's worth.  It just seems to make sense to me and I use braid on every rod, every technique.  Been doing this ever since braid became popular.

 

I keep my leaders somewhere around 30 - 60% of the pound test of my braid.  Don't care about diameter.  I'm a fisherman, not a scientist.

 

For 30 # braid, my leaders are typically 12 - 15.  Will go to 8 on jerk baits.

 

For 50 # braid, I use 15 - 25.

 

For 10 # braid, I break my own rule and typically use 8, but will go up to 12 if I'm wacky rigging around cover just for the abrasion resistance.

 

For me at least, this makes it easy to cinch the knot (Alberto).

 

I can't cinch 25 # FC on 50 # braid with an Alberto, so use a Uni to Uni knot. 

 

Not really so sure it matters.  I had reel malfunction yesterday.  Wiggle Wart rig.  Normally 30 braid, 12 FC.  Rather than dig another rod out of the rod locker in the rain, I just cut the 20# leader off my Chatter Bait rod with 50 braid.  Tied up a 12 FC leader on it and went to fishing.  Didn't cast as well as the lighter braid, but worked well enough to keep the rain out of the rod locker and cast a WW.

[fishraptor]

On 3/23/2020 at 11:31 AM, Midwest Big Bass said:

Quick one: When deciding what # to use, how concerned should I be with line diameter for knot strength? Is the goal to keep the diameters relatively close or does it matter? For instance, I have 40# braid that is comparable to 10# mono. Would I want to stick closer to maybe 8-12 or would going down to 6# or up to 17# be okay?

Why would you choose to run a 6# leader to 40# braid ?  or even 8 or 10. 

You didn't say what rod or reel types you were using (spinning/baitcasting) so not sure if your trying to get a knot through the tiny micro guides.  If you wish to drop to a 6# leader drop the braid size down too.  I would try not to go

below 30#braid on a baitcaster for fear of having the line "dig in" causing further casting issues and also issues with wind knots.  

The best thing for you to do is learn the FG knot as it is the strongest and smallest.  Once you master the FG you will never look back. I would not worry about line

diameters regarding tying that FG.  The FG is so strong is rarely breaks at the FG knot but instead breaks at the lure knot, which is what you want. Just retie a lure and away ya go. 

[Bdnoble84]

how do y’all deal with micro guides using braid to leader? I’ve used the fog, but even that catches and affects my casting distance.

[J Francho]

2 minutes ago, Bdnoble84 said:

how do y’all deal with micro guides using braid to leader?

I don't use micro guides with a leader.

[Bdnoble84]

10 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I don't use micro guides with a leader.

That’s where I’m at, went back to Berkeley sensation on my jig rod because I got tired of fighting it, but I really loved the feel of braid. I would go straight braid but I’m fishing in Avery rocky, shaggy stream and I don't want to be cutting of braid all over it. Plus I run into plenty of northern and like having a thicker leader to thwart those sharp teeth