Leaders

[NOTAGOOGAN84]

So I watch the pros and they use braid with a leader of fluorocarbon. Some use leaders as long as 15ft. My question is what is the benefit of the braid if you are going to use such a long leader? I love to finesse fish with spinning setups. I rig all my setups with 6# and 8# straight fluoro no braid and no leader and I’ve never had a problem. So I’m I missing something or what? When I have tried the braid with a fluoro leader on windy days the braid bows way to much. I fish a relatively clear lake and fish a lot of deep brush piles and creek channel bends making long cast and fish a lot of 18-20ft of water. Never had a with problem sensitivity or casting distance. I have been having really good luck with this in 7lb test.

[ska4fun]

I do mostly power finesse fishing. With braided under 10/8/6lb test, a leader is a must-have: 1- To avoid the braided line getting stuck in the treble hooks. 2- To have abrasion resistance, since such thinner lines, even being 4x, have no abrasion tolerance at all.

[Jar11591]

Number one benefit of braid is the smaller diameter relative to its break strength. Next would be it’s lack of stretch. Using a leader won’t negate either of these things. I typically use a 4’-6’ 20lb fluorocarbon leader tied to 40lb braid for applications such as jigs and Texas rigs. I still get the benefits of the braid, which are a thin diameter and lack of stretch, while also getting the benefits of the fluorocarbon leader, which are primarily its abrasion resistance and invisibility. I fish clear mountain lakes with a lot of rocks and logs and esox that can saw taught braid off like butter. Fluorocarbon leaders let me fish more confidently in these situations. 

[bulldog1935]

I was anti-braid until braid and reels caught up with each other.

Matched with the right reels, I've gone to all fine braid with just a couple of spools of fluoro main line. 

Can think of some lures that I was able to set on fluoro main line, but set so much better with braid (+leader).  

 

Even 2' of leader gives you some measure of shock absorption that braid alone doesn't have. 

[SmallieAngler]

I find that using high visibility braid (yellow or bright green) makes line watching a breeze.  My old eyes have trouble seeing thin fluoro main line.  You can see bites better and it's really easy to tell when your bait has reached the bottom.  I also have way fewer problems with line twist on my spinning reels.  The sensitivity is awesome with braid.  I used to use a 6 to 8 ft leader but now I use double that length to allow more re-ties, without losing any of the benefits.  I mostly fish for smallmouth in deeper water.  I'll never go back...

[Boomstick]

Think of it this way, you cast 30 yards and hook a big fish. You have 25 yards of line with no stretch, and 5 yards of line with stretch. Basically, that leader is giving you a little bit of forgiveness but you basically have 1/6 the stretch of if you were running straight mono or fluorocarbon.

[DaubsNU1]

I started fishing braid in my bait-casters in the 1990's. Fewer backlashes vs. mono, increased sensitivity & strength, lasted a really long time. Never fished a leader on these set ups. No need in my mind.

 

I was firmly against braid-to-leader on a spinning rod.

 

Read a ton of posts here...and last spring finally decided to give it a try.

 

At first, I did not like it. But kept after it. 

 

Now I would say a spinning rod spooled with 10lb bright yellow Power Pro, tied to 8lb fluorocarbon leader is my favorite way to fish.

 

Why:

• Increased casting distance
• No line-memory
• Greater sensitivity
• Love the easy to see bright-yellow line
• If I get hung, can break off 8lb fluoro easily...vs. cutting braid