Braid-to-leader on a bait-casting rig?

[DaubsNU1]

Started running hi-visibility yellow PowerPro braid to fluoro leader on my spinning rigs a few years back, and really, really like it. 

 

I've been running braid on my brait-casting rods for years.  

 

Thinking of doing yellow PowerPro to fluoro leader on my bait caster....

[bloom]

For what it is worth, I approve.  I've been hi vis braid to fluorocarbon on spinning tackle for a couple years and this year switched on my one baitcaster.  It is helpful with my aging eyes. I have had a couple knot failures but that is my own fault. Fishing frogs in the slop I prefer straight braid as the fluorocarbon seems to sink and tangle in the pads.

[fin]

I think the consensus on this forum is baitcasters should be run without a leader. The best argument I’ve seen against leaders is microguides. I think some people make up arguments against leaders just because it’s easier to go without them.

 

I generally run bright yellow braid to mono on spinning rods. I don’t use baitcasters much anymore, but I generally will run a mono leader on them too. I’ve got dark green braid on one baitcaster, and sometimes it’s just as visible as the fluorescent yellow due to lighting conditions. Funny how that works.

 

Do what works for you.

[FryDog62]

Seth Feider approves too... 

[Pat Brown]

I have never not broken my leader knots on baitcasters.  Some people make it work and love it! I can tell my knots are good.  With spinning tackle I think it's fun. The drag on spinning gear lends itself to leader knots better I think.  YMMV.

[waymont]

4 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Thinking of doing yellow PowerPro to fluoro leader on my bait caster....

All I fish is either yellow or lime green braid to a leader on my casting rigs. I use both 832 and PP, and it's a great way to fish. Do it.

[Jig Man]

My opinion is the guides will make a difference.  If you have micro guides the knot might affect the distance of your cast.  If you go this route I suggest you use the thinnest knot which I believe is the FG.  I know it goes through the guides on my spinning rods easier than any other knot I have used.

[Team9nine]

As you can see, totally mixed and opposite opinions on this subject. Throw me in the camp of ‘braid doesn’t belong on a baitcaster unless it does, and those few times never require a leader’… but the only way you’ll find out what works for you is to try it. 

[Darth-Baiter]

on my braid b-casters.  I only have a few.  a punch rod which is 100% braid.  and a frog setup, I also pitch and do heavy topwater with.  I use a short 2 foot leader simply just to add a bit of stiffness to the end of the line so my trebles and such dont wrap around on the cast and landing.  

[Pogues2300]

I love braid to leader but on this forum you will be told knots fail every other cast which isn’t true if you tie the knot correctly.

[J._Bricker]

@DaubsNU1 , I’ve been using 20 or 30 pound PowerPro in Hi-Vis yellow to a Seaguar or Sunline fluorocarbon leader on my senko baitcasting rods for a few years now. I appreciate the visual cues of the yellow line as well as the sensitivity of the braid in bite detection especially during low light conditions.

[Pogues2300]

On 8/4/2023 at 4:59 AM, FryDog62 said:

Seth Feider approves too... 

and he’s a pretty good person to listen to

[WRB]

On 8/4/2023 at 2:07 AM, DaubsNU1 said:

Started running hi-visibility yellow PowerPro braid to fluoro leader on my spinning rigs a few years back, and really, really like it. 

 

I've been running braid on my brait-casting rods for years.  

 

Thinking of doing yellow PowerPro to fluoro leader on my bait caster....

Do it, it either works for you or it doesn’t.

The down side is backlashes with braid can be a problem.

Tom

[JackstrawIII]

I'm also use this on all my spinning rods.

Have experimented using it on baitcasters. I tried it on an XF rod and didn't like it... but I think that was due to the XF action. Going to try it again on a slower rod and see what I think. 

[Jrob78]

I don't really see the point in running braid to leader on a baitcaster, unless maybe you were fishing gin clear water and visibility was a concern, which isn't an issue where I fish. It's personal preference though, I already don't like braid and in my experience leaders just complicate things to me without adding a noticeable benefit.

 

I pretty much only use braid on standard braid techniques, like frogs, some topwaters, punching, pitching heavy vegetation, and the occasional swimjig, and have never felt the need to use a leader, with the exception of the topwater to keep the trebles from fouling in the braid. I don't like how braid handles, the occasional, inevitable bait cast off, slack line sensitivity is terrible and I don't like how it floats, I don't want to mess with tying leaders and I actually like some stretch in my line.So it's a no for me. 

 

All that said, that isn't a judgement on what other people use just my experience with it, if braid works for you and want to add a leader, go for it! A lot of people do it with great results.

[Junk Fisherman]

I've been doing it more and more.  My smallie dropshot combo is a baitcaster with 20 lb 832 with a 6 lb Gamma Edge leader.  I like the baitcaster with dropshots since I am pitching lots of breakwalls.  I have had positive results with pitching plastics using braid to a leader on a baitcaster (30 lb braid and 15 lb leader).  For the lighter leader I am using an Alberto knot while I use the FG for the 15 lb leader.  Based on recent suggestions here, I am making sure my knot does not go into the reel and have been very pleased with the results so far.  

[Darth-Baiter]

I don’t enjoy a connection knot going thru a T-Wing.  It’s weird and uncomfortable. It goes thru but you know it when it does. 

[Jcj90]

I hate it I use straight braid or straight mono. Don’t like fluoro

[Bird]

All my spinning has a braid to flouro leader and I also fish gin clear water.

The only baitcaster I own with a leader is the one throwing a Devils horse, impossible on straight braid.

[MN Fisher]

If the water is very clear, or I'm tossing bottom contact lures into rocky areas (we got Zebra Mussels here), then I'll tie on a leader...otherwise it's straight braid for the 3 rigs I have braid on.

[GRiver]

I’ve got two rigs with braid, one bait caster, which is my pitching and frogging set up. The other one is a spinning set up, it’s my dock and skipping rig….. still can’t skip a bait caster….Well I can for a little while, then it turns ugly. 
So, no leaders for me, everything else has mono.

[Standard]

Ah, the weekly braid / leader thread..

 

I run braid on all my bait casters, if I do happen to bird-nest it I can pull it out without worrying about kinking the line.  Plus, I just like braid more.

 

I also run flouro leaders on my setups.  Usually anywhere from 12"-36" of 20 or 30lb Seaguar blue label.  Most of the spots I fish also have a good amount of pike or even musky, and losing a $8-15 lure sucks.  I use an alberto knot and the only time it comes apart is if I've been sloppy tying it.

[you]

12 minutes ago, Standard said:

Ah, the weekly braid / leader thread..

 

Lol, one of these days this will be a solved issue, right?

 

I'll agree with @Jig Man - as long as your guides are wide enough, running a leader shouldn't be an issue. That said, I prefer straight nylon or fluoro for my baitcast setups, but I mostly use them in saltwater.

[Bandersnatch]

Hi and lo vis braid to leader for six years. I fish almost ten rods that way. I rarely have a knot failure. Like Seth Feider says. Just back your drag off and have a reel that has a smooth enough drag where it slips slightly instead of breaking. 

[Functional]

Typically I dont do it but its mainly because I have enough rods I dont need to. This week's trip I'm limiting myself to 2 rods and youll be guaranteed to see a leader rigged up every now and then. If I did this regularly I'd have a hi-viz like you are wanting to do. 

 

FG knot has never been an issue on any of my rods eyes including micro. Put a leader length the length of your rod and you dont have to worry about it running through your reel guide, T-wing or not. 6' of leader is plenty to retie a few times.