Leader or not?

[FrogInTheWell]

Do you use a leader with your braided line?  I used to but started to experiment without a leader and honestly found no difference whatsoever in my catch rate.  Even in the few placea that I fish were the water is pretty clear again no noticeable difference at all.  How about you guys?  Thanks, Joe.

[papajoe222]

On moving baits, no. Topwater is the exception. For slow moving, bottom presentations, yes.  I feel that the fish focus on the bait when it's moving fast, whereas something that sits on the bottom or moves very slowly, the higher visibility of braid could be the reason for not getting bit. 

[geo g]

NOT, never, the weak link

100% floro for my plastics, and crank baits

65 lb Braid flipping heavy cover, and frogs in the thick stuff.

15 lb Mono for all my top water baits.

 

Keep it simple, easy to retie often!

 

[T-Billy]

#STRAIGHTBRAIDBRIGADE

[Catt]

I'll use a leader when fishing saltwater & it's usually made of some type of metal.

[PhishLI]

9 hours ago, Joe Henry said:

Do you use a leader with your braided line?

Only on some spinning reels, and it has nothing to do with visibility. Otherwise it's straight whatever for purposes of sink rate, stretch, or to avoid fouling treble baits. I've caught more fish using straight 30lb braid than any other type.

[LrgmouthShad]

I think you can use any line combination and be fine. Unless it’s fluoro because it’s weak. Or unless it’s mono (nylon) because it stretches too much. Or unless it’s braid because there’s no stretch and you’ll bend your hooks out. Or unless it’s copoly because there’s still mono and fluoro involved. 
 

I hope this helps! 

[Mike L]

Never, for nothing 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[scaleface]

I dont even no how to tie a leader .

[FishTank]

No leader for topwater but definitely for everything else. 

[Scott F]

I never use a leader on anything except for steel when pike fishing. 

[galyonj]

I use leaders all the time. It's fine.

[MN Fisher]

Depends on the technique I'm using...sometimes yes, sometimes no.

[T-Billy]

2 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I think you can use any line combination and be fine. Unless it’s fluoro because it’s weak. Or unless it’s mono (nylon) because it stretches too much. Or unless it’s braid because there’s no stretch and you’ll bend your hooks out. Or unless it’s copoly because there’s still mono and fluoro involved. 
 

I hope this helps! 

? This should be marked as the solution.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I’ll run a leader if I want to be able to break off easily if necessary, if abrasion is a concern like around zebra mussel or conserve line if changing baits often. Visibility is a non concern for me. There is something to be said for confidence though if that’s how you feel. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Leader

[dodgeguy]

No leader ever. If I think it might help I'll use a rod with mono on it. It made no difference on my last trip and I got no bites on either.

[Bird]

Braid to leader for all slow finesse and Jerkbaits.

Straight braid for everything else , even top water but only use 20#.

[ska4fun]

Always, in most presentations, mainly BFS gear.

 

Surely our ''15lb braided with MM power rod finesse guy'' can brag over tying braided direct to line.

[jitterbug127]

I use straight braid for everything. The water here is all stained or dirty. I just tie everything on and call it a day 

[Randy Price]

No leader.  Straight braid or straight mono depending on what I'm fishing for.

[KP Duty]

Only for C-rigs and drop shots.