Using a Leader with braid

[RWHusker.]

Hi All,

When we were at Fork this year the guide (Roy Greer) always tied a leader to the braided line.  Both reps at Cabela's and Bass Pro stated this was a waste of time.  Looking for your expert opinions.

If there is already a thread for this please advise.

GO BIG RED

[linesider7]

I've learned that the guys at Bass Pro and Cabela's don't always give the best advice, with that being said, I definitely don't think it's a waste of time, especially if you're fishing clear water.

[Garnet]

It's a personal thing. Some weedy lakes I fish strait power pro others that are a little of everything I use a floro leader and theres drinking water clear lake I use strait flouro.

I use the Allbright Knot for leaders as recommened in the Power Pro package and crazy glue the knot just for good measure.

One thing I don't like is long leaders 18 inches is enough. Fish can't connect the dots. Power pro and maybe some black marker then flouro leader is to complicated for a fish.

I do work for Power Pro.

Garnet

[Jig Man]

I mostly fish lower lakes with clear water because the pressure is lighter.  One day 6 of us tried a little unscientific experiment (4 used mono and 2 of us used braid).  

We were jig fishing in the same area trading spots as the day went along.  I was one of the braid guys.  The other braid guy was in a different boat.  

He and I caught fish but we got our BUTTS WAXED.  That is when I started using leaders on braid.

[flechero]

I would take the word of a guide who makes his living on the water over 2 counter clerks at a retailer.  No offense to anyone who works retail- I know there are some good ones out there but if you don't know them personally then it's a crap shoot at best.

My own experience (which is dated) with braid was bad... my catch and bites went way down from the minute I switched.  I didn't try using leaders though.

If I ever try it again, I will use a leader, no question about it.

[surfer]

Garcia reservoir next to stick marsh.  January something.  Cold and windy.  Live shiners.

Braid with 4 ft Floro leader - 4 bass

Straight mono - 0

As best I can tell all else was equal between me and my buddy. I am a believer.   I am sure there are situations where a leader won't mater, but I don't know how to distinguish when to and when not to so I always use it since it doesn't hurt.

[RoLo]

When I fish (not nearly enough), I enjoy experimenting as much as catching fish.

Experimenting helps me to learn and grow, but more importantly it keeps the game fresh and interesting

by placing special meaning on every bass caught.

That said, one of my favorite experiments is comparing leaderless braid with leadered braid (with my wife's cooperation).

I've used fluoro leaders (which I loathe), but switched to Trilene Big Game with negligible loss (refractive index: 1.42 vs. 1.52)

If there's a difference between braided line with a leader and braided line without a leader

it has eluded me many times. Long story short, I never use a leader with PowerPro braid (unless I'm experimenting again).

Roger

[Pond Hopper]

I tried using a leader at Lake Vermillion fishing for smallies, where as I normally use straight braid.  After the leader snapped after a day and a half I used straight braid and noticed no difference fishing weightless plastics for smallies in clear water.  However that was the only time I have done it because the water I normally fish is dingy...on a good day.

[lubina]

With braid I always use a leader except with frogs.

[Laurentino]

I have had good results using a long leader with braid on spinning equipment.  I use enough leader to lay a few wraps on the reel spool when the rod is rigged and the bait attached, usually something around 20 feet of leader.  

[BucketmouthAngler13]

I think it depends more on what lure you are using than the water clarity. Slow moving baits that the bass follow for a time should be used with a leader, where fast-retrieved baits and topwater should be used without. But the most inportant thing to remember is that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so make sure your leader is tied on right and is high enough test.

Just my .02

[moby bass]

Isn't a leader with braid sort of defeating the whole purpose of braid.  I have braid on one setup and when I get snagged, I bring up the whole dang stump, thus saving the lure. A leader, unless it's real heavy, is going to break off.  Or are you using leaders of the same test as the braid, in which case the diameters

are going to be substantially different.

[surfer]

I use a 10# suffix braid (casts a mile) with about 8 ft of 6# or 10# InvisX Floro Leader. I use this more for its castingand sensitivity abilities than its lure saving abilities. Casts far and accurate on my spinning gear. I also have the same 20# set up for fishing in the weeds. as for the diferent line diamiters, it dosent seem to be a problem. I use a Uni-Uni knot. Maybe not the best but it doesn't fail me and i know it well.

I haven't had any heavy cover or tree removal experience yet.

Isn't pulling a stump out of your fishing hole going to spook the fish you are trying to catch?

[moby bass]

It just happens to occur when trying to get my lure or hook unsnagged.  My point is, I thought the whole purpose of using braid was to be able to fish heavy cover, get the fish out without breaking off.  Just seems to me the a leader of 6 or 8# defeats that purpose. Why not just use all mono?

[surfer]

What you say is true.  It can rip through pads and pull big bass out of cover.  It has other benefits too.  I use it for its long accurate casts and unmatched sensitivity.  The leader is because braid is so visible in the clear and pressured waters I fish.

[RandySBreth]

Moby, the main reason I use superline ( Mostly FireLine, fused, not braid) on spinning tackle is lack of memory, spool, fish and go. Never worry about line twist, and then second is sensitivity, followed by long casts. Adding a leader is not that big a hassle, and you can vary the leader, use 6 or 8 or 10 or 12 or 14 lb. test, flouro or mono, or whatever is needed for the task at hand, w/out respooling the whole reel.

You would have to fish side by side with both for a month or two, then you would see the advantage.

[T-rig]

I only use a leader in gin clear water and that only with softbaits or jerkbaits in the cold months.

[captbob]

Big reason for catch and release is to catch the same fish again. Even the retard Bass after he's stung often enough remembers that line leading to that great meal and shuns it, especially in high pressure lakes.

I always want the edge of Fluorocarbon and often that's not good enough. Enough for a couple of wraps on the reel with fish by the boat--remember that knot is the weakest point.

 Check that leader for rock/branch nicks and where it "saws" the tip when casting, not being lazy will often save your day.

[senko_77]

It's a personal thing. Some weedy lakes I fish strait power pro others that are a little of everything I use a floro leader and theres drinking water clear lake I use strait flouro.

I use the Allbright Knot for leaders as recommened in the Power Pro package and crazy glue the knot just for good measure.

One thing I don't like is long leaders 18 inches is enough. Fish can't connect the dots. Power pro and maybe some black marker then flouro leader is to complicated for a fish.

I do work for Power Pro.

Garnet

Garnet gave you some great advice, but there's one thing that I didn't agree with and I thought I'd share my opinion.  IMO, an 18inch leader is greatly increasing your chances of breaking it at the braid/leader knot.  When you cast, the line from the knot you tie to your lure all the way to where the line is put on your spool is put under tremendous pressure because of the acceleration of the lure jumping foward.  The line on your spool just follows but it isnt being stretched.  Have you ever chunked a lure only to see it flying away without any line on it because it snapped from the pressure?  Well everytime you cast the braid and leader are gonna dig into each other a little bit more until the leader breaks.  I had this happen to me countless times when I first started using braid with leaders, but after I started using about a 20ft leader it hasn't happened again.  

[RoLo]

Even the retard Bass after he's stung often enough remembers that line leading to that great meal and shuns it, especially in high pressure lakes.

If we're going to credit bass with the ability to reason and remember, then I'm afraid we'll have to remove all our hooks!

Predatory fish are accustomed to seeing forage fish with food protruding from their mouths, such as insects and vegetable strands.

If a bass could actually associate a fishing line in the mouth of bait with "danger", then why would that same bass

forget about the hook, which is much larger, much easier to see and far more unnatural than one hair-like filament?

Roger

[surfer]

If a bass could actually associate a fishing line in the mouth of bait with "danger", then why would that same bass forget about the hook, which is much larger, much easier to see and far more unnatural than one hair-like filament?

Roger

Well said Roger.  But my lucky hat makes a difference and I know they can't see it.

[Guest avid]

sn't a leader with braid sort of defeating the whole purpose of braid.

Actually no.

Putting the issue of visibility aside,  the stretch in mono or flouro acts a shock absorber.  Braid is strong but a sudden powerful hit by a big bass can jolt even strong line into breaking.  hence a shock leader.

[RWHusker.]

Wow, what a wealth of Info, you guys never fail to amaze me.  I matched 20# power line with about 6' of  17# vanish leader.  What's your thoughts.

GO BIG RED

[shimanogloomis man]

i always use a leader about 18'' long i use 20 lbs floro

[sal669]

With braid I always use a leader except with frogs.

Same here. I use 2-6ft of clear mono or fluorocarbon line, depending on water clarity