Fluorocarbon leader material or mainline for leader?

[Basser Guy]

Hey all,

 

Just picked up a couple of spinning rigs for weightless worms and finessing. Thinking about trying out high-vis yellow braid for the first time too. What’s everyone using for a leader? Are you tying on a fluorocarbon or hybrid that you’d typically use as a mainline for a leader, or are you spending a little extra and using a fluorocarbon leader material? The way I see it, I know some people prefer throwing straight fluorocarbon or copolymer with these set ups so why not just use that line as a leader? If it’s truly worth spending the extra money on leader material I’m all for it, but don’t want to if not necessary. Just curious to hear everyone’s thoughts and experiences with both. 

[Big Swimbait]

On spinning gear, the braid almost eliminates the line twist issues you have with other lines. It also greatly increases the sensitivity. Plus if you want to use expensive fluro for your leader, a spool will last you a long time and the braid will last you years. I am braid to leader on everything. Learn a good connection knot and you're good to go. I use the Lefty Kreh knot. Very easy to tie.

[roadwarrior]

Cool knot, I'll give it a try!

 

[NHBull]

All my spinning rods are braid to leader.

Hi vis yellow in 10# works well.

I am using more mono these days for leader.

Since the guides are bigger, the uni-uni is usually the knot of choice

[ike8120]

I use braid to FC leader on my spinning finesse setups. Usually 10# braid with 8-10# leader. Started using HIViz braid at my age it is easier to see.

[MickD]

Leader material, FC or mono.  Stiffer is good for the leader, especially for some techniques like blades.  Cost for such a low usage item has to be minor compared to everything else.

[Tactical bassassin]

10 hours ago, BigBassBo said:

On spinning gear, the braid almost eliminates the line twist issues you have with other lines. It also greatly increases the sensitivity. Plus if you want to use expensive fluro for your leader, a spool will last you a long time and the braid will last you years. I am braid to leader on everything. Learn a good connection knot and you're good to go. I use the Lefty Kreh knot. Very easy to tie.

Couldn’t agree more. Haven’t tried this knot personally. I’ll have to check it out!

Edited May 25, 2020 by Tactical bassassin

[Basser Guy]

10 hours ago, BigBassBo said:

On spinning gear, the braid almost eliminates the line twist issues you have with other lines. It also greatly increases the sensitivity. Plus if you want to use expensive fluro for your leader, a spool will last you a long time and the braid will last you years. I am braid to leader on everything. Learn a good connection knot and you're good to go. I use the Lefty Kreh knot. Very easy to tie.

 

10 hours ago, BigBassBo said:

On spinning gear, the braid almost eliminates the line twist issues you have with other lines. It also greatly increases the sensitivity. Plus if you want to use expensive fluro for your leader, a spool will last you a long time and the braid will last you years. I am braid to leader on everything. Learn a good connection knot and you're good to go. I use the Lefty Kreh knot. Very easy to tie.

I plan on using these rigs mostly for Ned rigs and weightless plastics so that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Do you typically use leader material or a fluorocarbon mainline as a leader on your braid? And thank you for the knot recommendation, that was my next question. 

1 hour ago, MickD said:

Leader material, FC or mono.  Stiffer is good for the leader, especially for some techniques like blades.  Cost for such a low usage item has to be minor compared to everything else.

Sounds like you can’t really go wrong with any of them then? And I’m guessing leader material has the highest stiffness and abrasion resistance?

1 hour ago, ike8120 said:

I use braid to FC leader on my spinning finesse setups. Usually 10# braid with 8-10# leader. Started using HIViz braid at my age it is easier to see.

I’m brand new to these styles of fishing so I’m hoping for all of the visibility I can get. What kind of leader do you use? Do you use actual leader material or a fluorocarbon mainline?

[BrianMDTX]

I ain’t knowed how “accurate” and scientific the tests would be considered, but I watched a couple of vids on YT testing fluoro leader vs fluoro mainline, and fluoro vs mono as far as abrasion resistance. The leader and mainline were basically a tie. The mono greatly surpassed the fluoro. 
 

Granted, it’s not really a lab-grade test, but it was interesting. 
 

 

[Team9nine]

In your example, given what you are using these outfits for, unless you have some special reason to do so (zeebs, etc.), just use traditional mainline for leaders. You’ll be fine. Pick whatever connecting knot you can consistently tie best.

[MickD]

I have experience with at least one FC mainline that is very fragile and untrustworthy.  I have used a number of FC leader materials and fly tippets and all have been good.  Same for mono leader material.  I also have used other FC mainlines for leaders without problems, but I have more confidence in the leader material.

[NHBull]

You will also find many on this board who go with straight braid with no ill effects

[ike8120]

4 hours ago, Basser Guy said:

 

I plan on using these rigs mostly for Ned rigs and weightless plastics so that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Do you typically use leader material or a fluorocarbon mainline as a leader on your braid? And thank you for the knot recommendation, that was my next question. 

Sounds like you can’t really go wrong with any of them then? And I’m guessing leader material has the highest stiffness and abrasion resistance?

I’m brand new to these styles of fishing so I’m hoping for all of the visibility I can get. What kind of leader do you use? Do you use actual leader material or a fluorocarbon mainline?

I just use FC for my leader. I think Mono leader is a little stiffer if marked as leader?

[ATA]

I use Sunline FC100 16lb Test for my leader, main line braid  maxquatro 20lb test. it never fails me. Yes it is a saltwater leader but it works great on fresh water.

[Tywithay]

I've never seen a reason to buy the little 20yd spools or whatever. It's not cost effective. A good stiff fluorocarbon like abrasx makes for excellent leader material and you save money getting a larger spool. Fluorocarbon will last years and one spool will make a ton of leaders.

[ATA]

12 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

I've never seen a reason to buy the little 20yd spools or whatever. It's not cost effective. A good stiff fluorocarbon like abrasx makes for excellent leader material and you save money getting a larger spool. Fluorocarbon will last years and one spool will make a ton of leaders.

don't forget the shelf life of Fluorocarbon, I think better not to buy large spool unless you use it on other reels and main line. Don't you think so?

[Tywithay]

Just now, ATA said:

don't forget the shelf life of Fluorocarbon, I think better not to buy large spool unless you use it on other reels and main line. Don't you think so?

The shelf life is practically forever. It doesn't degrade like mono, even in sunlight. 

[mcipinkie]

Like most of us, I drank the flurocarbon Kool - Aid.  Drank it long ago, gallons of it. Still drink some.

 

Pretty much know what happens to Kooi - Aid drinkers. 

 

Really, except for a couple specialty applications, I've gone back to braid and a mono leader.

 

Very few times that Big Game doesn't work as well for a leader as any thing.

 

Cheaper, easy to work with, knots well.

[Junk Fisherman]

I have used a couple different fluorocarbon leader spools and they were not better than the Gamma 6 lb Edge that I have been using since last summer.  I fish smallies a lot and have gone through a lot of different leader lines and the Gamma in 6 lb (equal diameter to other 8 lb lines) is the most abrasion-resistant of any of the lines I have used.  A lot of different lines are fine for weeds or wood but for rocks, give me the Gamma.  

 

And doesn't everyone have leftover spools of fluoro to use for leaders?  I always seem to have 20-50 yards of line left over on spools to use for leaders for my baitcasters.  

[Ogandrews]

10 hours ago, ATA said:

I use Sunline FC100 16lb Test for my leader, main line braid  maxquatro 20lb test. it never fails me. Yes it is a saltwater leader but it works great on fresh water.

This guy knows what’s up. For leaders I Use mono 90% of the time but if I want to go to floro you can’t beat fc100. Holds knots better and gives you a little more stretch than regular floro which gives it way better shock resistance. For 90% of applications the difference in visibility of mono and floro won’t matter and the benefits of mono out weigh the benefits of floro, fc100 is different though it’s a mix of both kinds of lines good qualities. Maxcuatro is also the best braid there is, I don’t use it on my lighter spinning setups because I’ll usually go with 8lbs suffix 832, but if they made a 10lbs version that’s what I would use.

 

 

 

 

[ATA]

2 minutes ago, Ogandrews said:

Holds knots better and gives you a little more stretch than regular floro which gives it way better shock resistance.

You are very right, thats is the reason beside being Fluorocarbon. Thank you 

[mcipinkie]

I'm buying Kool-Aid stock !!

[BrianMDTX]

Question: should one attempt to match the diameters of the braid and leader (FC or mono), or the break strength? In other words, if I’m spooling a 10# or 20# braid on my spinning rod, what’s the correct size leader? 

[Team9nine]

Neither - I’d typically run 6-10 lb. leader in your example.

[Darren.]

Yellow PP or PP Super Slick on all my reels, and leaders always.

Materials? Take your pick. I like Yo Zuri Hybrid, Gamma Edge FC,

and others. Typically 6, 8, or 10lb test, but have gone down to

4# and up to 15#.

 

As @Team9nine said, find a connector knot that you can tie

consistently, easily. Knot arguments can sometimes rival religious

arguments for intensity, LOL. Personally, I tie uni-to-uni most of

the time, and the Alberto/Mod'd Albright the rest. As long as you

have considered your kit (rod, reel, drag, line type, etc.) you

should be able to handle any freshwater fish.