Leader for jerkbaits and crankbaits on spinning rod?

[inferiorfisherman]

I picked up a Megabass orochi Ronin.  the plan is to throw some hardbaits in the spring that I don't enjoy casting on a baitcaster.  Mainly jerkbaits (vision 110 and Jr's), small cranks, and twitching topwater.  I spooled up my spinning reel favorite 12lb braid.  Trying to decide if I want to tie on a leader or if I want to run straight braid.

I run a mix now.  I comfortable fishing with and tying leaders (thanks to my new daichi knot assist 2.0).  I currently have in my leader box: 7,10,12,14,16 lb sunline sniper.

So, what do you think?  leader or no leader.  If leader which line should I use?  I don't mind picking up a new line for the leader if recommended, but not interested in ditching braid as my main line.
 

[roadwarrior]

#10 or #12

[A-Jay]

I run mono or FC leaders for jerkbaits on spinning gear. 

8 or 10 lb mainline braid and match the leader to that.

I get a few.

A-Jay

[PhishLI]

Just do it. Less headaches. Thumbing the spool on a baitcaster allows you kick the tail out on a JB while it's landing. Works most of the time to avoid fouling the hooks. Fouling can be a pain with spinning gear and straight braid, even when you finger the line.

[Bird]

I struggle throwing a Jerkbait on spinning, seems to invite a romantic affair between line and front treble. 

But then again I'm speaking braid here. 

Have no issues with casting gear.

 

Edit.....got beat to the punch^^^^^

[Team9nine]

Leader; 7# or 10#, maybe 12# depending on water/cover conditions.

[inferiorfisherman]

thanks for the responses.

 

I have been watching a lot of Randy Blaukat on youtube recently.  He is very fond of spinning rigs for certain things and he makes a really strong logical case for them in some instances.  I went all in on baitcasters a couple of years ago after being a spinning only guy for my entire life.  I loved them instantly for many things, but I never could enjoy throwing anything under 1/2 oz that wasn't aerodynamic.  It's always windy where I fish.  I have a bit of carpal tunnel in one wrist and it seems like a spinning rod put my wrist in a more natural position for twitching a jerking.

I got skunked my last 5 trips in row last year.  My strategy is to down size and slow down this year.  If I don't catch them this year, I guess I'll just have to accept that there is no bass in Indiana's public lakes, and I wasted thousands of dollars on gear.  Oh well, I would pretty much rather be floating around casting lures and not catching anything than doing about anything else.  I know I can always catch crappie if the bass aren't biting.

 

That being said I won't ever stop using a baitcaster.  I actually just picked up a st croix victory "the jerk" casting rod as well.  I had an orphaned casting reel sitting around that needed a home.  I'll do some A/B testing between The Jerk and the Ronin.  maybe having the right casting rod for jerks will sell me.  If I don't end up like the Ronin for jerkbaits, it will come in handy.  All of my other spinning rods are 7'4" or longer.  

[GreenPig]

I run 10 lb mainline to a 6, 8, or 10 lb FC or Mono leader depending on cover, depth, and lure size. As stated previously the braid and treble hooks trouble waste cast which is wasted time.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I’d throw on a short leader of stiff 10#. This will help prevent fouling the hooks. 

[Lead Head]

You mentioned topwater, but didn't list any mono leader options. I would suggest a mono leader for topwater. The leader to help prevent line fouling in hooks, mono because it will float. Floro sinking can cause many topwater baits to behave... oddly. 

[PotatoLake]

On 2/21/2022 at 6:42 PM, inferiorfisherman said:

thanks for the responses.

 

I have been watching a lot of Randy Blaukat on youtube recently.  He is very fond of spinning rigs for certain things and he makes a really strong logical case for them in some instances.  I went all in on baitcasters a couple of years ago after being a spinning only guy for my entire life.  I loved them instantly for many things, but I never could enjoy throwing anything under 1/2 oz that wasn't aerodynamic.  It's always windy where I fish.  I have a bit of carpal tunnel in one wrist and it seems like a spinning rod put my wrist in a more natural position for twitching a jerking.

I got skunked my last 5 trips in row last year.  My strategy is to down size and slow down this year.  If I don't catch them this year, I guess I'll just have to accept that there is no bass in Indiana's public lakes, and I wasted thousands of dollars on gear.  Oh well, I would pretty much rather be floating around casting lures and not catching anything than doing about anything else.  I know I can always catch crappie if the bass aren't biting.

 

That being said I won't ever stop using a baitcaster.  I actually just picked up a st croix victory "the jerk" casting rod as well.  I had an orphaned casting reel sitting around that needed a home.  I'll do some A/B testing between The Jerk and the Ronin.  maybe having the right casting rod for jerks will sell me.  If I don't end up like the Ronin for jerkbaits, it will come in handy.  All of my other spinning rods are 7'4" or longer.  

I’m pretty sure Randy doesn’t throw them on braid. He uses straight flouro on spinning gear, which is something I refuse to do, and is precisely why I use a bait caster.

[inferiorfisherman]

1 hour ago, PotatoLake said:

I’m pretty sure Randy doesn’t throw them on braid. He uses straight flouro on spinning gear, which is something I refuse to do, and is precisely why I use a bait caster.

 

you are correct.  he doesn't seem to be a fan of the braid to leader setups.  He knows way more than I ever will, but I do know a few things about myself.  One of them is that anything but braid or 3lb mono on a spinning reel might result in a rod a reel sinking quickly to the bottom of the lake after a fit of rage.  If I was a better fisherman maybe I would feel differently.

1 hour ago, Lead Head said:

You mentioned topwater, but didn't list any mono leader options. I would suggest a mono leader for topwater. The leader to help prevent line fouling in hooks, mono because it will float. Floro sinking can cause many topwater baits to behave... oddly. 

that is a good point.  in the past I have just used straight braid for topwaters.  I'll have to try it out and see how it works out.