Why leader on braid?

[mfowler]

I've been an avid fisherman for 50 years but I'm brand new to fishing braid. I must admit I do prefer it now for my bass fishing. A curiosity question though: I've read a lot about guys (and ladies) using a mono or flouro leader when using braid. Some have various reasons, the main being that fish see the line and spook. I'm using moss green and have had no issues. So for me anyway, the main reason for switching to braid is I can fish a much heavier, stronger line with less worry of a fish breaking off. It would seem that using a leader would defeat the whole purpose of the strength of braid. #40 braid with a #12 leader? Seems like you would be just as well to fish all mono/flouro and be done. Can someone please explain the rationale here?

 

Thanks!

[A kid from Canada]

Straight braid can often get tangled in the treble hooks on cranbaits, a leader prevents this. Also if I'm dropshotting and get stuck I only lose the 6ft leader not 1/4 of my spool. You can also retie your lures more often without running your braid down as fast. 

[casts_by_fly]

When fighting a freshwater fish, you’re not going to put more than maybe 5-6 lb of pressure and that’s on a fish bigger than a bass, so absolute breaking strength isn’t the biggest issue. 
 

like you said, straight braid works just fine for tons of applications. Where you might want a leader is for abrasion resistance around rocks or (for mostly saltwater) around fish with sharp skin/scales/teeth.  Or as noted above, casting some treble hooked baits.  Trebles and braid can tangle in the air and be fouled before it hits the water. Similar for walking baits-  a limp braid will pile on the surface after a twitch and the lure can run it over on the next twitch. A piece of stiff mono can prevent that. 

[bulldog1935]

some measure of shock allowance and absorption. 

 

Braid has virtually zero stretch before it breaks.  The stretch in leader protects your rods as well as your braid and your hook-ups. 

 

The reason you pick 1/4 of your weakest link for drag set is that shock loading can multiply the stress by a factor of four, but even that is only an estimate - the shock loading factor can be even greater. Having leader there to stretch may make all the difference between a broken rod, broken line, and torn fish mouth.   In salt, I also add titanium bite traces - titanium wire has much higher elasticity and ductility compared to both braid and stainless wire, and it's tooth-proof.  But I still have leader between the braid and bite trace. 

[Boomstick]

There's a few reasons. Better abrasion resistance around rocks, add a little bit of stretch which can help keep fish pinned, less visibility, better handling - to avoid the line getting caught in treble hooks.

 

That said if you aren't running your lune over rocks, you might catch the same number of fish with straight braid as long as your gear has a little extra bend to compensate than with mono or fluoro

[Bird]

Flouro leader gives me a breaking point when hung and promotes confidence in the very clear water I fish.

Moving baits, I like straight braid.

 

 

[JustJames]

If you are prefer not to use leader, go ahead, there are many that use braid without leader. I also use braid with and without leader. The main and only purpose to use leader would be abrasion resistance when using small braid. 
Do we really need 40lb braid to land bass? I use braid but mainly for cutting power around weed, low stretch for better hookset when fishing deep or all spinning to prolong line twisted problem. 
15lb braid no leader when fishing around weed.
 

[Captain Phil]

As most members know, I am not a big fan of braided line.  However, there are times when I need it's advantages.  Pad fishing plastic frogs is one of them.  I use 50 pound Power Pro for frog fishing.  I do not use a leader.    If your are using a fast moving bait, you don't need a leader.  Ripping a Rattle Trap works better with braid.  The lure is moving so fast, bass can't see the line.  Also, a big bass can throw a Rattle Trap with mono.  Not so much when you are cranking them with braid.  At all other times, I use either mono or fluorocarbon line for it's near invisibility.  

[MickD]

9 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

some measure of shock allowance and absorption

Yup, put some force onto a 5 foot length of mono or FC and you'll see this effect.  Compare to applying the same force to braid.

[bulldog1935]

and do it with jerk...

btw, casting rods break under torsion - the guides on top are trying to twist around to the bottom.  This is why your rod breaks are always at 45-degrees across the blank. 

[MickD]

Maybe, but in my experience I've twisted some rods 180 degrees with a significant bend without damaging.  I don't prefer the spiral designs, so all of mine are  built with the guides on top, so if this were generally true one would think I would have failed at least one by now.

[OkobojiEagle]

Various leader diameters will help change/control drop speed and bait running depth.

 

 

oe

[Choporoz]

Too often I snag old line.  If it is flouro or mono, it might be just a few feet.  If braid, it might be 20 or 30 feet.  If I have to break off, I'd rather leave part of a leader, than have to cut it at the surface.

[J Francho]

11 hours ago, mfowler said:

Seems like you would be just as well to fish all mono/flouro and be done.

In most cases, yes.  I fish straight fluoro on many of my set ups.  There are several that are straight braid.  I do carry and use leaders occasionally.  There have been a very few occasions where I was not getting bit, while others in the boat were, so when in Rome...  Other times, when fishing wood, want to be able to break off, without leaving a ton of line in the water or ripping the cover from lake, but still want minimal stretch that offers lightning fast hooksets.  That's a good use case for braid and leader.  I prefer actual leader material and use Seaguar Gold Label in 8 to 15# size.

[DaubsNU1]

I started using braid on my bait-casters in the 1990's. Really liked the sensitivity, and decreased backlashes. Tried on a few spinning rods, but did not like it much. Did not like the way it handled finesse baits. 

 

When I joined this site...read lots of thread on braid to leader on spinning gear. Finally forced myself to try it again...this time with bright yellow 10lb braid to fluorocarbon leader. Took a while to get on board, but I really like it now.

 

Casts a mile, and the fluoro handles finesse presentations well. I was skeptical about knots, but have been using the Alberto with no issues. Really like ability to see my line and detect strikes visually. 

[BrianMDTX]

All my spinning rigs are braid-to-leader. Why is pretty simple. First, it completely eliminates coiled line, so having to respool is basically eliminated as well. Second, braid is much more difficult to break off on snags, so I’d rather lose 6’-8’ of leader than 20’-30’ of braid. Third, I tie much better (and easier) knots on terminal tackle with leaders than with braid. I use the Lefty Kreh leader knot, so retying a leader while on the water is a snap. 
 

99% of my spinning rig fishing is finesse, so casting distance is not really an issue, as I normally don’t cast finesse baits over 50’-60’. 

[Mike L]

As I’ve said before, braid is a specialty line to be used for certain presentations or in certain conditions. 
 

I understand the reasoning some of you guys have for using leaders, some make sense but others don’t. 
If I lived in and fished the same waters a lot of you guys do, I may be of a different opinion, but the overall argument for them is lost on me. 
 

Use what makes you better. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[Glenn]

^^ Truth! ^^

 

[padlin]

Started using flouro leaders, about 18", as it withstands pickerel better then my 15 lb braid. So far. No other reason for me.

[J Francho]

Just now, padlin said:

Started using flouro leaders, about 18", as it withstands pickerel better then my 15 lb braid. So far. No other reason for me.

But wait! Everyone says fluoro is delicate and breaks easily when nicked, and you're using it in a harsh toothy situation.  Another myth perpetuated.  BTW, what diameter do you find prevents breakoffs from picks?

[padlin]

15lb, as that's what I have, I do see some nicks in it after a few chomps so it does still need to be retyed at times. Going to order some 20 lb later this week to see how it works. 

 

I did have one occurrence where the flouro broke right at the knot, which was my 1st time with Palomar knot. Went back to an improved clinch. Time will tell.

 

Had too much hassle tying knots in wire.

[J Francho]

That's pretty light!  I've crimped my own leaders from 80# and 100# for targeting northern pike.  

[ska4fun]

Abrasion resistance and to avoid the line being tangled in the treble hooks. For my finesse braids, these are a ultra-must-have.

[Happybeerbuzz]

20# flouro or 17# mono can be broken off easily enough.  When I get snagged with 30-50# braid, it is not very easy to break off, and I refuse to be one of those guys who just cuts off and leaves yards and yards of line in the water. 

 

[dodgeguy]

I fish 50 lb Sufix 832 on my baitcasters. I have no abrasion issues that are any worse than any other line. As far as breaking off 20 feet that should never happen.using 50 lb braid wrapped around a 1 inch dowel to rip snags out either breaks the hook or whatever you are snagged on. I have never found a reason for a leader. I have never snapped a rod with braid or worn out a guide. It's all user error.