I'm making the switch to braid+leader...

[DaubsNU1]

Was a huge fan of braid back in the early 1990's when they first came out...still have two reels spooled with Fenwick Ironthread (that stuff truly is iron-thread). Always fished mono on my spinning rods, no questions asked. 

 

Took a long break from fishing...from ~2005 until last summer...when I got back in to fishing I found this place...and have learned a TON! 

 

One of the "new" concepts I just couldn't wrap my head around was braid to leader on spinning rods. Just didn't seem right to me. I didn't want to tie funny knots, didn't want that knot thumping through my guides...didn't think I needed it...Mono worked just fine, thank you very much. 

 

I tried fluorocarbon on one of my spinning rods and HATED it...nope, not for me. 

 

But then I decided to give it one more try...on our trip to South Dakota chasing Smallmouth. Spooled up some green 30lb PowerPro (only braid I had), and 10lb FC leader via Alberto knot. It worked, but just didn't feel right.

 

Switched to a different rod. 

 

Then tried it again...still not cool. 

 

Contemplated pulling it all off and going back to Mono, right there in the boat. But decided to give it a few more tries...

 

Tied on a NED rig and really slowed things down...and realized that I was feeling the NED rig when it hit the bottom/rocks. Hmmmmmm...I liked this sensitivity. 

 

Then started feeling light hits on the NED, and started boating fish. Fish I was missing with mono. Nice! 

 

It took a while...but I finally came to the realization that this braid-to-FC/leader thing wasn't all that bad. Actually had some benefits. 

 

So ordered me up some Tacklewarehouse bright yellow PowerPro 10lb braid (they were sold out of 15lb), and spooled it up on two spinning rods tonight. Alberto knot to some 8lb FC. Tomorrow is Fishing night with my 80 year old Dad and Brother.  

 

Thanks to the good gentlemen on this forum for enlightening me...Very much appreciated!

[roadwarrior]

Next time you respool kick it up a notch:  #15 Smackdown 

 

[FishinBuck07]

This is how all of my spinning rods are set up now, like you said the sensitivity is great this way!  One thing I have noticed through trying things is if you make the leader too long you lose the positive gain of the braid in my opinion, always try to keep the leader to the length of my rod!  Just something I have noticed for myself, someone else may feel differently.

[Deleted account]

I dislike fishing with braid, but in addition to my frog rod, I have a 10/10 braid to mono leader med spinning setup. Very versatile setup. 

[Dwight Hottle]

If you have any problems with your knots failing substitute a good copoly leader for the flouro. It does the same job without the knot burning problems flouro presents.  

[CrankFate]

[quote]I'm making the switch to braid+leader...[/quote]

[The Maestro]

[DaubsNU1]

Fished the new braid-FC/leader set up tonight...92 degrees, no wind, water temps 81 degrees. 

 

Caught a few on weightless Senko...then we moved under the bridge...and caught four in a row, then just started hammering them. Not big bass, but fun.  

 

They were not hitting the lure hard...just taking it and slowly moving off...with the bright yellow braid I could see and sometimes feel the fish. 

 

Love it!

[ATA]

good did. 

[ChrisD46]

22 hours ago, FishinBuck07 said:

This is how all of my spinning rods are set up now, like you said the sensitivity is great this way!  One thing I have noticed through trying things is if you make the leader too long you lose the positive gain of the braid in my opinion, always try to keep the leader to the length of my rod!  Just something I have noticed for myself, someone else may feel differently.

*General rule of thumb is to keep the line leader out of the reel (i.e. about a 6' - 7' leader length ) ... Some Pro's with spinning set ups (with the right knot) will have a 20 yard FC leader + braid main line for drop shot or shaky head . The key with either is to keep that semi- slack line intact so you remain in contact with the lure to increase sensitivity . Lastly , at least for spinning set ups use high - viz braid (yellow / neon green color) and become a line watcher !

[huZZah]

9 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

.with the bright yellow braid I could see and sometimes feel the fish. 

I have since put hi vis yellow braid to leader on my shaky head and Ned setups. Makes such a huge difference when watching the line. Although I noticed I can still feel it just before the line twitch. 

[waymont]

I’m 95% braid to leader, everything but my two light bait casting rigs.

can’t find a reason to ever switch.