Leader, or not?

[bassrogue]

This year I would like to use more jerkbaits, swimbaits, and crankbaits. I have never used a leader before.

Most of the places I fish are stained to almost clear(nothing clear though). I use 8-10lb braided line on my spinning outfits

(I have mono on my baitcasting outfit, but I'm not ready to take it out on the water yet :-[)

What I would like to know is;

Is using a leader helpful when fishing these types of baits?

Should I use a leader or is it only necessary for clear water?

Can I tie a mono leader to braided main line?

What knot should I use to tie a leader to a braided main line?  

BR

[HPBB]

I use braid on my Flippin sticks and on one spinning reel. I always use a leader when I use braid, no matter how clear or muddy the  water is. I just always use a leader with braid.

Yes you can tie mono to braid.

try fluorocarbon or fluorocarben coated line. Like P-line floroclear.

I use that on my spinning reel. I fish that rod/reel set up for smallies on lake Erie. can't get any clearer than that. I use 10lb spider wire stealth with 8lb P-line floroclear as a leader.

On my flippin stick I use 50lb spiderwire with 25lb Yo-zuri hybrid

I have use mono, but like those two lines as leaders better.

use a  Double Uni Knot to tie line to line. also i put a little drop of fishing glue on the knot.

check out  www.Netknots.com  they have all the knots you need.

[bassrogue]

Thanks,

That knot tying site is great, got it bookmarked

The fishing glue...where can you get it. Don't think I've ever seen it in the store.

Will Krazy Glue work?

[HPBB]

Kazy glue will work. I use that too. try the brush on it is less messy.

I bought the fishing glue at Dick's

[Guest avid]

I actually had more problems using crazy glue than not.  What would happen is that the crazy glue would dry with these little jagged edges that cut into the line.

I find that the uni to uni knot with the braided end doubled and wrapped 8 times has never (knock on wood) slipped.  

but you would be surprised how often not using a leader has absolutely NO impact on the fishing.   I live in SE Florida so the water is stained but most water is.  The only time I find that MY CONFIDENCE still requires a leader is on very slow moving lures like a popper, or jerk bait.  For spooks and sammy's I like a stretchy mono like trilene xl because it gives a little more pop to the action.  But basically using no leader works just fine.

PS I typically use 50# power pro.

[Vyron]

From my experience using a leader didnt improve my catch ratio.

It just protects my rig from rocky places etc.

[bassrogue]

Thanks guys,

If there is no down side, I'll try using a leader.  

Most of my presentations are very slow this time of year. So I guess it can only help