Braid to leader

[JSP28]

I’m currently throwing 50 pound power pro with an FG knot to 15 pound Big Game. Knot is too big it catches every once in a while. I throw mainly big walking baits on this. What do I need to do to get a smaller knot so that it does not catch in my guides and they are not micro. I’m thinking about downsizing my braid maybe ??

[PaulVE64]

Yes, drop down on your braid.

[Finessegenics]

I'm surprised to hear that, considering you're tying an FG knot and using two lines which are relatively thin. 50# braid is not necessary for that setup imo, you can drop down to 30# but I don't know if it will eliminate the problem. Also, how long is your leader? The way I see it for a walking bait, the leader is just there so the supple braid doesn't get tangled in the front treble of the bait. A leader as short as 24 or 36 in can get the job done, and the connection knot passes through less guides when casting, so maybe less of a chance of getting caught? If not, straight mono wouldn't hurt you. 

[J Francho]

Skip the leader and spool up with 15# mono. 

[Bankc]

Are you sure you're tying an FG?  Maybe double check to make sure you're doing it the correct way, and not tying it backwards.  I use this same setup often (50# braid and 15# mono and fluoro) and never have had issues with it hanging up, even with micro guides.  

 

If you're sure of all of that, then just go for straight mono.  The difference in diameter of braided line is very small, and even dropping down to 6# braid from 50# won't change the size of the knot but by a few thousands of an inch.  The difference in braid diameters of 6# and 50# is 0.009".  

[Zcoker]

I just tie about 20" or so of 25lb floro to my 50lb braid mainline, which is on all my reels. I use a simple uni-to-uni knot because it's very easy to tie while fishing. This leader setup never sees the guides, so there's never any casting issues. Super strong knot, too. I need the heavy braid for fishing in the Everglades. I use the floro for a bit of stretch on the top water lures. Hope this helps. 

[PressuredFishing]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Skip the leader and spool up with 15# mono. 

^^^^ .012 diameter-.013 diameter Is my favorite, feel free to experiment to find what suits you best.

[Deleted account]

Something knot right, that combination should not hang up on anything but the tiniest micro guides.

[WRB]

1 hour ago, JSP28 said:

I’m currently throwing 50 pound power pro with an FG knot to 15 pound Big Game. Knot is too big it catches every once in a while. I throw mainly big walking baits on this. What do I need to do to get a smaller knot so that it does not catch in my guides and they are not micro. I’m thinking about downsizing my braid maybe ??

What big walking baits? Weight?

15 lb Big Game is .015 dia Mono, spool the reel with that.

Sunline Defier Armillo is small diameter smooth casting mono, 15 lb is .012 D, 17 lb is .013D.

 

Tom

[MickD]

18 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Something knot right, that combination should not hang up on anything but the tiniest micro guides.

Maybe not trimmed closely enough.

[Deleted account]

5 minutes ago, MickD said:

Maybe not trimmed closely enough.

Most likely, I don't use an FG or similar knot for fresh water fishing, but do quite a bit in the salt, and there should be nothing sticking out of either end if done properly.

[Bluebasser86]

Just take the leader off and fish straight braid ?

[softwateronly]

On 4/22/2022 at 4:24 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

Just take the leader off and fish straight braid ?

If the braid fouls the trebles, 2 or 3 bobber stoppers will help keep the line from slacking out in front.

 

scott

[JSP28]

On 4/22/2022 at 1:24 PM, WRB said:

What big walking baits? Weight?

15 lb Big Game is .015 dia Mono, spool the reel with that.

Sunline Defier Armillo is small diameter smooth casting mono, 15 lb is .012 D, 17 lb is .013D.

 

Tom

Super Spook , Rover. No doubt I am gonna just go back to 15 pound Big Game. I never had a single issue with that line. I’ve tried the whole braid thing and the only thing I like using braid for is with Frogs. 

[waymont]

Why 50lb? Use 30lb. I can use 40lb braid and 20lb FC leader and have it fly through semi-micro guides. Maybe you're not trimming your leader close enough to the knot?

[JSP28]

50 is obviously too big. I’m gonna try 30 pound. I’ve tried mono and just don’t get enough reaction on the bigger baits with it from the stretch and it kills my wrist trying to get that perfect sound…..

[JSP28]

On 4/22/2022 at 12:39 PM, Zcoker said:

I just tie about 20" or so of 25lb floro to my 50lb braid mainline, which is on all my reels. I use a simple uni-to-uni knot because it's very easy to tie while fishing. This leader setup never sees the guides, so there's never any casting issues. Super strong knot, too. I need the heavy braid for fishing in the Everglades. I use the floro for a bit of stretch on the top water lures. Hope this helps. 

Well I tried that but I would still reel the knot thru the guides sometimes. Thinking maybe Power Pro is too thick I’m gonna try 30 pound to see if it helps. I use a pretty long rod for this…7,4 I think so it’s tough to throw with some much lime out. It’s the Big Toowater rod by Diawa Tatula. Randy Howell signature series designed specially for big walking  baits. Kinda designed for LONG casts but the rod length is tricky most people use a shorter rod and I always have before. I watched him use it and he pooped it up and not down but I can’t get used to that. 

[Zcoker]

On 5/14/2022 at 10:49 PM, JSP28 said:

Well I tried that but I would still reel the knot thru the guides sometimes. Thinking maybe Power Pro is too thick I’m gonna try 30 pound to see if it helps. I use a pretty long rod for this…7,4 I think so it’s tough to throw with some much lime out. It’s the Big Toowater rod by Diawa Tatula. Randy Howell signature series designed specially for big walking  baits. Kinda designed for LONG casts but the rod length is tricky most people use a shorter rod and I always have before. I watched him use it and he pooped it up and not down but I can’t get used to that. 

 

I have one of those Tatula casting rods, 7.3 MH, which I just got to replace one of the three that I had recently broke. I have a like/hate relationship with them lol Anyhow, the guides are super duper tiny on mine and I can certainly see any knot used hanging up no matter how they are tied. Can't say anything about dropping down in line size, either, but it would depend on the area fished, or the structure fished. Here in S. Florida I fish the Everglades, so 50 is my minimum. Anyhow, I've just recently switched to using strait braid on all my rods and see no difference in the amount of fish I catch, day or night.