Difficulty Casting Braid / Leader Combo

[Unk]

I have read a lot of discussion here regarding using braid with a leader . I tried it early on using a double uni knot and hated the "tick, tick, tick" of the knot going through the guides . So , I spent the time and finally got a half way descent FG knot tied . The problem is much better with the FG knot but it still exist . It is possible that some of the problem is with the "semi-micro" guides on the Shimano rod I use with this set up . I read a suggestion online that this problem may be caused by the leader being too long allowing the knot to become more unruly before it hits the first guide . Tried that with little if any help . The knocking of the knot as it passes through the guides seems to limit casting distance - I know the game is more about accuracy than distance but the extra effort needed could possibly increase the percentage of stray cast and , believe me , I don't need that . Bottom line , is there any solution to my problem with the knot and guides . The bait monkey has been on me hard to buy a rod without the semi-micro guides but thought I would ask for yall's opinion before I gave in to the monkey . Thanks

[Choporoz]

I use braid to leader with some pretty micro guides.  I tie Crazy Alberto, which is probably quite a bit bigger than an FG which I haven't used.  I guess I just don't get irritated by the knot like you do.  Sounds like the answer is to skip the leader.  But BM strongly disagrees.

[A-Jay]

If we are taking about a casting set up, before investing in a new gear,

perhaps try spooling your rig up with a quality & appropriately sized Fluorocarbon.

It's probably a less costly solution.

 Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon is very decent.

Either that or I'd just lose the leader.

A-Jay

 

[PhishLI]

59 minutes ago, Unk said:

I have read a lot of discussion here regarding using braid with a leader . I tried it early on using a double uni knot and hated the "tick, tick, tick" of the knot going through the guides

The knot banging through the guides makes me want to go on a rampage. I hate it, so I stick with straight whatever. I put up with it on spinning rods, but I don't use them much anyway.

 

This was zero help, I know. Forgive me.

[BrianMDTX]

11 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I use braid to leader with some pretty micro guides.  I tie Crazy Alberto, which is probably quote a bit bigger than an FG which I haven't used.  I guess I just don't get irritated by the knot like you do.  Sounds like the answer is to skip the leader.  But BM strongly disagrees.

I use a Lefty Kreh knot on 20 lb. braid to either 6 or 8 lb. mono/YZH leader on spinning rigs, and 50 lb. braid to 10 lb. mono on a baitcaster. Spinning rigs have big guides, so no issues there. But the guides on my Fenwick HMC 76H-FC, while not (as far as I know) are true micro, are small, I have no issues with “knot banging”. I don’t even hear it to be honest. 

[Big Rick]

9 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I don’t even hear it to be honest. 

That may be due to the disease that I am often accused of having. "Selective Hearing Disorder". I've been diagnosed by my wife because I can really hear certain things and yet can't seem to hear other things that don't bother me. 

[LrgmouthShad]

5 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

"Selective Hearing Disorder". I've been diagnosed by my wife because I can really hear certain things and yet can't seem to hear other things that don't bother me. 

That's not a disorder. That's an acquired skill and apparently you're a natural ?

[Big Rick]

3 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

That's not a disorder. That's an acquired skill and apparently you're a natural ?

With 5 boys and 3 girls it was a requirement to maintain my sanity. 

[LrgmouthShad]

4 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

With 5 boys and 3 girls it was a requirement to maintain my sanity. 

Hey I hear ya! I had parents and a sister growing up!

 

Bahahaha I'm kidding 

 

??

[BrianMDTX]

18 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

That may be due to the disease that I am often accused of having. "Selective Hearing Disorder". I've been diagnosed by my wife because I can really hear certain things and yet can't seem to hear other things that don't bother me. 

Over 40 years of jet engines and gunfire. I’m with ya! 

[LrgmouthShad]

3 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

Over 40 years of jet engines and gunfire. I’m with ya! 

Just press the button. It doesn’t actually matter whether you heard the tone or not. ?

[cyclops2]

I just use 2 Improved Trilene knots joined together. I also use a 1/2 hitch in the Braided knot to prevent it slipping apart.

[dodgeguy]

Trash the leader !!!! 

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Just press the button. It doesn’t actually matter whether you heard the tone or not. ?

LOL. I had to memorize the numbers on those "what number do you see?" circle dot vision tests. Saves me a lot of money on plastics though...

[BrianMDTX]

5 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Trash the leader !!!! 

I never thought that I would like using a leader. But I’d much rather replace 6’-8’ of leader a few times a season and keep all the braid. 

[casts_by_fly]

Just use a shorter leader. I’ve been using 5’ when I need to put a leader on braid for some reason. My reasons are usually either toothy fish around, super clear water and a stop/start lure, or treble hooked topwater and light braid. A 5’ leader of 15# fluoro is just fine then. 

[Unk]

10 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Sounds like the answer is to skip the leader.  But BM strongly disagrees.

Thanks Choporoz. I think the Alberto is slightly thicker because the lines are doubled . I'm headed out this AM to give one last modification a try but , you're right , I may have to just skip the leader .

[Unk]

10 hours ago, A-Jay said:

If we are taking about a casting set up, before investing in a new gear,

perhaps try spooling your rig up with a quality & appropriately sized Fluorocarbon.

 

Either that or I'd just lose the leader.

A-Jay

 

Thanks A-Jay . Unfortunately I'm trying this on a spinning set up . I have Tatsu on my other spinning rig and it seems to work okay other than some minor twist issues . Wanted to try the braid to AbrazX because I fish brush and lay downs in halfway clear water a fair amount of the time . Guess I'll just have to lose the leader as you suggest .

10 hours ago, PhishLI said:

This was zero help, I know. Forgive me.

Thanks Phish . Actually it does help .

[ike8120]

I use braid and FC leader on the majority of my spinning gear. The largest # test I use is 15 braid Also use the crazy alberto knot. 

[Woody B]

If you're going to use a mono leader why not just use mono?

[ATA]

1- Make peace with it if it is necessary to use braid to leader with your FG knot

2- Go all the way fluorocarbon. InvizX and Tatsu are two I am using and loving them.

3- Use hallow core braid and splice the leader ?

[Bdnoble84]

18 hours ago, Unk said:

I have read a lot of discussion here regarding using braid with a leader . I tried it early on using a double uni knot and hated the "tick, tick, tick" of the knot going through the guides . So , I spent the time and finally got a half way descent FG knot tied . The problem is much better with the FG knot but it still exist . It is possible that some of the problem is with the "semi-micro" guides on the Shimano rod I use with this set up . I read a suggestion online that this problem may be caused by the leader being too long allowing the knot to become more unruly before it hits the first guide . Tried that with little if any help . The knocking of the knot as it passes through the guides seems to limit casting distance - I know the game is more about accuracy than distance but the extra effort needed could possibly increase the percentage of stray cast and , believe me , I don't need that . Bottom line , is there any solution to my problem with the knot and guides . The bait monkey has been on me hard to buy a rod without the semi-micro guides but thought I would ask for yall's opinion before I gave in to the monkey . Thanks

Ive had this issue on a couple rods with microguides. On those i have to get the fg darn near perfectly wrapped with no bulges. They still dont flow as well as if it were straight braid. But thats a given. Its negligible 

[HookInMouth]

I've made it work with the guides on the Exprides. I get the ticking though and it does affect casting distance. Eventually I just went with straight braid for most things. 

[Bdnoble84]

18 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I never thought that I would like using a leader. But I’d much rather replace 6’-8’ of leader a few times a season and keep all the braid. 

Not to mention i fish in rivers that are very rocky. The idea of snagging 20-30 lb braid off the bank is not a pleasant thought. But i much prefer the feel and sensitivity of braid.

[Unk]

10 hours ago, Woody B said:

If you're going to use a mono leader why not just use mono?

Not going with mono on this rig . Trying AbrazX FC as leader .

20 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I use a Lefty Kreh knot on 20 lb. braid to either 6 or 8 lb. mono/YZH leader on spinning rigs

Not familiar with this knot . Will Look it up > Thanks .

19 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Trash the leader !!!! 

May have to . I really like the sensitivity of the braid though .