What lb. test Fluoro leader?

[Otter17]

Hi guys, my set ups for bass fishing are all spinning. I use a braid mainline(10-15lb) and will be attaching Fluoro leaders. I’m don’t have the lure arsenal like a lot of you guys. I’m pretty simple. I fish senkos, plastic worms, jigs(smaller ones), Keitech swim baits, and the such. What is a good lb test Fluoro leader to use for general bass fishing. Thankyou!

[Big Hands]

For my finesse spinning reels that have 10-12 lb braid mainlines (all but one of my spinning reels, and that one has 15 lb braid), I have settled on 7 lb Daiwa Samurai (from a 200 yd spool), but will use anything from 6-8 lb leaders and be right at home. Lots of good lines out there that will work well.

[roadwarrior]

#6 Seaguar Gold Label

https://seaguar.com/products/gold-label?variant=42961597890779

[MickD]

I always use a leader pound test just below my line pound test.  Which is often about 15 pound test leader.

[ATA]

In that lure range I would use 14-16lb test.

[Bird]

I use 8lb Sunline Snyper to 15# braid on spinning ....... dropshot, Neds, suspending Jerkbaits and small Keitechs mainly.

Been using nothing but an Alberto knot.

[Dogface]

My leader test depends on what fish I'm after, what lure I'm using, and the water I'm fishing. Since you are using the right test braid I'd buy some 6 lb., 8 lb., 10 lb., and maybe 12 lb. leaders and change the leader as needed. 

 

For example, if I'm fishing a clear water river for smallmouth with a small swimbait I might use a 6 lb. leader. If I'm fishing a weed-choked pond for LM using a wacky rigged worm I would use a 10 or 12 lb. leader.   

[Otter17]

2 hours ago, Dogface said:

My leader test depends on what fish I'm after, what lure I'm using, and the water I'm fishing. Since you are using the right test braid I'd buy some 6 lb., 8 lb., 10 lb., and maybe 12 lb. leaders and change the leader as needed. 

 

For example, if I'm fishing a clear water river for smallmouth with a small swimbait I might use a 6 lb. leader. If I'm fishing a weed-choked pond for LM using a wacky rigged worm I would use a 10 or 12 lb. leader.   

I love that idea. Thanks for sharing man!

[GreenPig]

6, 8, & 10 lb Seaguar Red Label. Which one depends on location, lure, and water clarity.

[BigAngus752]

I'm with everyone else.  Seaguar or Sunline and #6 or #8lb.  This year, however, I have switched my finesse rod back to a full spool of 6lb Trilene XL.  I just prefer the way it moves in the water and handles finesse hook-ups vs. mainline braid and a leader.  My m/h spinning rods still have 10lb Sufix 832 and 8lb flouro leader on them. 

[Southernbasser]

My spinning setup is 15 lbs. power pro braid to 8 lbs. Seaguar Gold label. I’ve never had any problems with that setup. 

[Zcoker]

I'm just not trusting the floro anymore around shallow heavy cover, logs, laydowns and so forth down here in the south Florida everglades. I've broken off too many times even using the best Seaguar 25lb floro. I have since switched over to 30lb mono with no issues whatsoever. Hits remain the same. Hookups are solid. Leaders last a long, long time. Plus it's at a fraction of the cost. Good to go. 

[Darth-Baiter]

i use 10 flouro leaders pretty much all the time now.  i like it simple.  

[DaubsNU1]

1 hour ago, Zcoker said:

I'm just not trusting the floro anymore around shallow heavy cover, logs, laydowns and so forth down here in the south Florida everglades. I've broken off too many times even using the best Seaguar 25lb floro. I have since switched over to 30lb mono with no issues whatsoever. Hits remain the same. Hookups are solid. Leaders last a long, long time. Plus it's at a fraction of the cost. Good to go. 

 

Good feedback @Zcoker.

 

I've been running 10lb PowerPro braid to 8 or 10lb floro...and have lost a few fish here and there.

 

I will likely give Trilene XL or XT a try this spring. 

 

 

 

[Zcoker]

1 minute ago, DaubsNU1 said:

 

Good feedback @Zcoker.

 

I've been running 10lb PowerPro braid to 8 or 10lb floro...and have lost a few fish here and there.

 

I will likely give Trilene XL or XT a try this spring. 

 

 

 

Yeah, man, I just can't chance the floro anymore, especially down here in the Everglades. It may be different in you neck of the woods, I don't know. But the other day was a deal breaker for me, lost another lure on the hookset....$35 gone! So I went back to heavy mono, great confidence, cheap, easy to get....I can whale on this stuff and not worry about loosing lures, fish or sudden breakoffs. 

[Cbump]

I would use 20lb braid and 15lb red label leader. 

[DaubsNU1]

4 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

Yeah, man, I just can't chance the floro anymore, especially down here in the Everglades. It may be different in you neck of the woods, I don't know. But the other day was a deal breaker for me, lost another lure on the hookset....$35 gone! So I went back to heavy mono, great confidence, cheap, easy to get....I can whale on this stuff and not worry about loosing lures, fish or sudden breakoffs. 

 

Man-made lakes lakes dominate the landscape here...in the past 15-20 years Game and Parks have been leaving timber standing...which creates this : )

 

 

All my bait-casters are spooled with straight 20lb braid.

 

I will throw my spinning rods with braid to leader when working NED, Senkos, drop shot...I don't mind if I break off now and then. Remember, a 5lb bass is "Master Angler" here in Nebraska.

 

This lake is stocked with Northern Pike. When I'm fishing bait-caster + braid, not a problem. Spinning rod with braid-leader...we call that a "drive-by-murder".....** PLINK ** and your lure is gone!

[Cbump]

I use 12 to 20lb fc depending on technique. 20lb for big t-rigs in heavy cover. Invisx or Sniper. I’ve never broken off mysteriously on hook set. 
If you’re breaking off 25lb often, you’re doing something wrong. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It depends partly on what your reason is for a leader at all. Abrasion resistance, 10-17# depending on cover. Ability to break off in snaggy cover, 6-12#. To avoid fouling on casting plugs, 8-15#. Action on lightest of finesse baits 4-8#. I’m not convinced that bass are line shy at all. There’s something to be said for confidence though. If that’s your driving force, the lightest you can get away with after considering other factors. 

[Zcoker]

1 hour ago, DaubsNU1 said:

 

Man-made lakes lakes dominate the landscape here...in the past 15-20 years Game and Parks have been leaving timber standing...which creates this : )

 

 

All my bait-casters are spooled with straight 20lb braid.

 

I will throw my spinning rods with braid to leader when working NED, Senkos, drop shot...I don't mind if I break off now and then. Remember, a 5lb bass is "Master Angler" here in Nebraska.

 

This lake is stocked with Northern Pike. When I'm fishing bait-caster + braid, not a problem. Spinning rod with braid-leader...we call that a "drive-by-murder".....** PLINK ** and your lure is gone!

 

Lake looks nice! The more the merrier when it comes to structure and bass. Seems like your Game & Park is doing a good service by leaving the timber standing.

 

Here's what I contend with in certain areas down here in the everglades. Can get an idea why I go big or go home with my tackle lol 

 

 

 

 

[WRB]

23 hours ago, Otter17 said:

Hi guys, my set ups for bass fishing are all spinning. I use a braid mainline(10-15lb) and will be attaching Fluoro leaders. I’m don’t have the lure arsenal like a lot of you guys. I’m pretty simple. I fish senkos, plastic worms, jigs(smaller ones), Keitech swim baits, and the such. What is a good lb test Fluoro leader to use for general bass fishing. Thankyou!

Why use FC leader, weaker knot strength and you need 2 knots...use a premium mono or copolymer line equal diameter to FC and increase knot strength 25%. 

10#  braid 5# Maxima UG, 15# braid 8# UG for finesse presentations. 7# Sniper is close to 5#UG and 10# Sniper is close to 8 lb UG.

Tom

[DaubsNU1]

12 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

 

Lake looks nice! The more the merrier when it comes to structure and bass. Seems like your Game & Park is doing a good service by leaving the timber standing.

 

Here's what I contend with in certain areas down here in the everglades. Can get an idea why I go big or go home with my tackle lol 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLY COW!  How do you even fish that??

 

One lake here has some good lily-pad areas...but I've never been able to crack the code, or even catch a single fish.

 

I've caught several ~5lb fish in that lake...but all near docks, or rip-rap. Nothing in the pads...

 

 

 

 

[Zcoker]

1 minute ago, DaubsNU1 said:

 

HOLY COW!  How do you even fish that??

 

One lake here has some good lily-pad areas...but I've never been able to crack the code, or even catch a single fish.

 

I've caught several ~5lb fish in that lake...but all near docks, or rip-rap. Nothing in the pads...

 

 

 

 

 

Haha. Punching. That's only one type of area that requires a specific presentation. Down a ways is open water. And that's what I like so much about the everglades, so much versatility when it comes to location, so many neat places to fish all bundled up in the same general area, from open water to the thickest cover, from dense timber to shallow pads. No need to drive all over the land to fish a unique spot. It's all in the glades! 

 

In any case, I need heavy stuff to fish it. I tie my 50lb braid to 30 mono leader and slam 'em hard. Not unusual to hook into 7, 8, 9 pounders during a trip. I know some go strait braid but I like a bit of cushion. Floro is probably ok of an by itself. I think tying a short leader piece to the braid offers no give whereas if it was strait floro it'd probably hold up better. Just a thought. 

[DaubsNU1]

16 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

 

Haha. Punching. That's only one type of area that requires a specific presentation. Down a ways is open water. And that's what I like so much about the everglades, so much versatility when it comes to location, so many neat places to fish all bundled up in the same general area, from open water to the thickest cover, from dense timber to shallow pads. No need to drive all over the land to fish a unique spot. It's all in the glades! 

 

In any case, I need heavy stuff to fish it. I tie my 50lb braid to 30 mono leader and slam 'em hard. Not unusual to hook into 7, 8, 9 pounders during a trip. I know some go strait braid but I like a bit of cushion. Floro is probably ok of an by itself. I think tying a short leader piece to the braid offers no give whereas if it was strait floro it'd probably hold up better. Just a thought. 

 

Excellent, thanks! 

 

Nebraska state record LMB is little over 10lbs.  I know you got some HORSES down there in Florida.  Keep hammering them!

 

[Otter17]

9 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

It depends partly on what your reason is for a leader at all. Abrasion resistance, 10-17# depending on cover. Ability to break off in snaggy cover, 6-12#. To avoid fouling on casting plugs, 8-15#. Action on lightest of finesse baits 4-8#. I’m not convinced that bass are line shy at all. There’s something to be said for confidence though. If that’s your driving force, the lightest you can get away with after considering other factors. 

Thanks for bringing this up. My main reason for using Fluoro is being worried about line shyness. I fish a clear river out here for smallmouth and and number of the lakes for largemouth are decently clear also. 
 

But I have been wondering. Do I really need to be spending all this money on Fluoro? Would I be totally fine using mono? It would be great to here what people thoughts on that are. Thanks again for bringing this up!