Braid to Fluoro leader Length?

[Jaheff]

You guy's have convinced me to use leaders with braid.

Now how long are you making the leaders? Do you just

make it long enough not to go through the line guide on the

reel? So on a 7' rod it should be around six feet for example? Is

there problems with whatever knot you use going through

the rod guides? Thank you for the time...

[islandbass]

It really depends.

If you're using a swivel to join the lines, then the max length of the leader will probably not be longer than your rod and the longer the leader, the harder it might be to cast.

If you are joining your lines together with a knot, then make the leader as long as you like. The longer the leader is, the less you will have to retie the two lines. I would do at least 10 yds if not more but that is just me.

[J Francho]

3-6 feet.

[Wayne P.]

3'-5'

[Matt 825]

I use 12' for most applications.  I will retie the leader when it gets down to about 8'.  I fish crystal clear water so I feel I need at least 8' of fluro.  

If you are tying a blood knot or a double uni knot they will pass through the guides with no problem.  Just be aware of where the knot is when you are reeling in a fish.

[VA BassHound]

Here is a quote from Gary Yamamoto that I read from one of his articles in his insideline web site:

"The reason I prefer the fifteen foot leader length is for landing fish. The critical point is when a fish is right at boatside. So by having a fifteen foot leader, you already have the knot wound onto the reel spool. The knot is not in the rod guides under intense stress when a bass makes that last power surge while trying to boat a bass. Also, when casting, if the knot was off the spool to start with, it can be felt bumping through every single rod guide. With the knot wrapped onto the spool when casting, the line has already started to behave and control its flight. By the time the leader knot comes off the reel spool, you may only feel it bump one guide on the cast."

[Wayne P.]

Opinion on long leaders: the main reason I use braid is the lack of spool memory. Using a fluoro or nylon mono leader that is long enough to wrap around the reel spool defeats the purpose of using the braid.

[Dan:]

Opinion on long leaders: the main reason I use braid is the lack of spool memory. Using a fluoro or nylon mono leader that is long enough to wrap around the reel spool defeats the purpose of using the braid.

x2. same with me.

[surfer]

I use 12' for most applications. I will retie the leader when it gets down to about 8'. I fish crystal clear water so I feel I need at least 8' of fluro.

If you are tying a blood knot or a double uni knot they will pass through the guides with no problem. Just be aware of where the knot is when you are reeling in a fish.

+1

And for the memory comments. I prefer 8 ft of memory affecting my cast than 50 ft of memory affecting my cast.

[SirSnookalot]

I absolutley agree with Wayne. I use a short leader 18-24 inches at most, gives me better casting control and I replace it often. I even gave up fluro leaders.

I mostly fish for snook and tarpon every morning(we get them in freshwater too) average being 5-10# and many go 20#+, my personal best this year was 35#, caught on a 8/17 spin rod with 2000 reel and 15# test........hard for me to understand why bass fisherman use 50# braid for those little fish.

I do fish bass & peacocks every afternoon.