Braid-to-leader braid question

[BrianMDTX]

All my spinning rigs are braid-to-leader. I tie on new leaders as required. But I can’t recall the last time I cut off a length of braid before I tied on a new leader. So far it’s never been an issue. Some braid (Sufix 832) has faded, but as said, hasn’t caused any issues. 
 

Do most cut off a foot or two of braid when tying on a new leader? More? Less? Just trim? I feel like I’m risking a potential failure yet so far, I haven’t had any issues at all. I don’t fish around rocks or zebra mussels so I’m not overly concerned about abrasion. 

[padlin]

I do not cut any off on purpose, I do lose a decent amount, like a foot or 2, when tying on the new leader. I do also reverse my line over the winter on my more used reels and replace same every other year.

[A-Jay]

May depend on how long a leader is used.  I use 25 ft at least so unless the braid is showing wear, rarely does, I'll make sure the braid is good and simply add the new leader.  However if and when a shorter leader, say something less than the rod length is used, it  might experience wear from the casts.  If that's the case, I'd keep an eye on it.  Btw, I use 832 quite a bit as well.

A-Jay

 

[FishTank]

I always cut about a foot off when I put on a new leader. I don't change my leader that often though.  Its sort of just habit. I might cut more if the line looks really faded or torn up but I could probably in most cases just tie the braid straight to a new leader. 

[MN Fisher]

Depends on how it looks - sometimes it's just cut the leader off at the knot and retie, sometimes it's a foot or so.

[Team9nine]

Usually just 2”-3” before tying the connecting knot unless the braid end looks suspect, then as much as seems appropriate. If I were to hang up and break off at the leader knot, I’d cut back a little more before retying, also.

[Brian11719]

Also use Sufix 832. Have thought about trying something else but have a hard time justifying that since I've had such good luck with it. I actually cut off less than a foot when I tie a new leader on and one spool can last a very long time depending on how often I use the setup it's on.

[BrianMDTX]

So, I guess I lost sight of the fact that I actually do cut off a bit of the braid when tying on a new leader. Not much, but some. Probably less than 8”-10” at most. Evidently that’s been enough to avoid any issues. 
 

Probably going to put new leaders on all my rigs soon to get ready for spring anyway. 

[Jig Man]

I use the fg knot and usually have a few inches of braid tag that gets cut off.

[bulldog1935]

On FEP-coated braids (like 832), if you need to cut any off, you feel it in the coating.  

Also, if the coating is locally bad, it won't glide when rolling an Allbright knot, but will peel and jam up the knot.  

 

[dk2429]

12 hours ago, padlin said:

I do not cut any off on purpose, I do lose a decent amount, like a foot or 2, when tying on the new leader. I do also reverse my line over the winter on my more used reels and replace same every other year.

What is the proper process of doing this without creating a giant mess? 

[padlin]

If you are talking about reversing the line, first off I have a home made line spooler, you could manage without but it helps.

 

Remove line from reel onto an empty spool, one you buy line on as opposed to a reel spool, the spool is mounted on a bolt with nut in a drill. As I use backing I stop when I get to it and cut the line. I can either toss the backing or leave it on for use again. 
 

I then mount the now loaded spool onto the spooler, which at this point is just a long bolt that holds a line spool under a little pressure, mount a 2nd empty in the drill and transfer the line to the 2nd empty, it’s now ready to go back on the reel.

 

Move the 2nd loaded spool to the spooler, tie to the backing if that’s reused or replaced and crank the line back on the reel.

 

You need to go slow with the drill to keep the line going correctly, if you look away the line wraps around the bolt.

 

yes, there re a few steps to it, but I have all winter.

 

[Jig Man]

I just have my wife walk it off down the street, cut it at the backing, go to her, retie to the backing and wind it back on.

[padlin]

That’s too easy.

[Reel]

I fish where there are zebra mussels so most time there is some fraying at the knot.  I cut off a foot or so.