Leader Material vs Main Line

[fishing4fun]

Hi,

I am looking at using Seaguar Flourocarbon leader or main line at the end of my braided line next year. Most of the lakes I fish have zebra muscles.

Is the leader material stronger and more abrasion resistant than their main line?

Would the double uni knot be my best choice to connect the 2 lines?

Thanks in Advance

[Tokyo Tony]

Double uni knot is good for that, also an Albright special.

No leader you use will be more abrasion resistant than braid, IMO, unless it's very heavy line, but the visibility factor may be enough to warrant using a flouro leader.

[fishing4fun]

I agree that braid is abraision resistant but when it comes to sharp edges like zebra muscles it does not stand a chance.

[Raul]

A common misconception about braided line is that it can stand anything, it 's true to a certain point, yes the line is extremely resistant but in an environment with SHARP EDGED objects like shale rocks or in your case, zebra mussels, it doesn 't stand a chance, sharp objects cut the line, you need a leader.

I too thought that braided could withstand anything, I 'm not a big fan of braided but I do have a couple of shallow spool spinning reels designed for braided line so that 's what I did, I spooled them with braided line, in my everyday lakes the line is fine and I thought it was going to be that way in every lake ....... well that was until I went to Zimapán the first time and began loosing rigs and baits because the line broke; the bottom of that lake is covered by broken shale sharp rock with sharp as knife edges, the line didn 't break just because, it was cut by the sharp rocks like if was cut with shears. Added a leader of copoly ( CXX ) and problem solved, no more breaks.

[Tokyo Tony]

A common misconception about braided line is that it can stand anything, it 's true to a certain point, yes the line is extremely resistant but in an environment with SHARP EDGED objects like shale rocks or in your case, zebra mussels, it doesn 't stand a chance, sharp objects cut the line, you need a leader.

I too thought that braided could withstand anything, I 'm not a big fan of braided but I do have a couple of shallow spool spinning reels designed for braided line so that 's what I did, I spooled them with braided line, in my everyday lakes the line is fine and I thought it was going to be that way in every lake ....... well that was until I went to Zimapán the first time and began loosing rigs and baits because the line broke; the bottom of that lake is covered by broken shale sharp rock with sharp as knife edges, the line didn 't break just because, it was cut by the sharp rocks like if was cut with shears. Added a leader of copoly ( CXX ) and problem solved, no more breaks.

Good to know, thanks for the info  

When I do get over to Erie I'll definitely keep that in mind.

What pound test would you say would be good for resisting the cutting?  Start at #15 or #20?

[Raul]

#20 and #30 didn 't stand a chance against those rocks. #30 with a 3 ft leader of 12 lb test CXX did perform a lot better. From the underworld to heaven difference.  

[Tokyo Tony]

No I meant #20 or #30 flourocarbon - but you answered my question anyway  

How about #130 braid?  ;D

[Raul]

Well, so far we 've lost 2 anchors in that lake.  

[South FLA]

I know for sure you need LEADER.  I snook fish alot and some of those pilings are pretty sharp and braid doesn't stand a chance although you would assume it would be more resistant.  I like using fluorocarbon leader (pline or yo-zuri) and have found two great knots that work joining the braid to fluorocarbon.  

A bimini twist to bristol knot and a Uni to Uni

 

both are great knots.  Lately, I have been using the uni to uni more because of its simplicity, but I think the bristol to bimini test higher.

The only lure I don't use leader on is a hollow body frog.  All other lures get leader when fishing braid usually use 3-4 foot and sometimes more 6-8 if fishing clear water or fish are spooky.

[Cory20]

To help the knot flow though the guides, try melting the bitter ends up close to the knot and put a dot of superglue on it.

[flippin]

i use50# braid  with 30# gamma fluro leader in clear water