Leaders without swivels on baitcaster with braid?

[Josh D]

Okay guys....I recently picked up my first baitcaster set-up. 201E7 paired with an Avid70MHXF. I have fished spinning set-ups myh whole life and always used a swivel inline to hopefully avoid twist in the line.

When using baitcasting equipment, I see alot of guys tend to tie a 6-8foot leader via a knot such as the alberto knot, etc. Is line twist less of an issue with baitcasters or am I thinking incorrectly? I would love to not use the swivel, as I do worry about dragging it through the guides.....

I will be using 40# Sufix Performance Braid with a 20# Fluoro leader.....

Will the "style" of leader be dictated by the lure i am fishing, etc?

Sorry if this topic has been killed...couldn't find an answer through the search function that nailed the answer I was looking for...

[Raul]

Line is a lot less prone to twist in baitcaster reels, one of the meany reasons why you don 't need a swivel.

[WanaBe_Like_IKE]

OK I dont use leaders (not yet anyways) but do you actually need a 6-8 foot leader? When I use one I just do Like a 2 foot one and a swivel but what ever you do DO NOT put the swivel through your guides!

[J Francho]

Unless the bait is fouled, line twist is a non issue.

[BrianinMD]

Code-Red, the use of the longer leader means you can retie more often without having to retie the leader also.

[Raul]

OK I dont use leaders (not yet anyways) but do you actually need a 6-8 foot leader? When I use one I just do Like a 2 foot one and a swivel but what ever you do DO NOT put the swivel through your guides!

Like a lot of things in this sport, it depends, depends on what ? on a lot of factors, for example weed height, let 's say you are C rigging a bait to fish a flat where the weeds are in average 4 ft in height, a then a 4 ft or less leader is not the most appropiate leader length because it will allow your bait to bury in the weeds where nobody can see it, you want your bait to ride above the weeds, then you 'll need a 5+ ft long leader, so you actually need a 5+ ft leader for fishing that weedbed.

See ? you actually need "X"  ----> it depends.

[WanaBe_Like_IKE]

Ahh.... thx I understand now

[SoFlaBassAddict]

The Alberto Knot is one of the best I've used to join a mainline to a leader.  I've recently started using it, and I'm really surprised at how good of a knot it is.  In fact, I'm now using it on most of my saltwater rods as well.  As far as leader length, I usually make mine from just outside of the top guide, to the reel seat.  Generally about 6 foot or so on most of my rods.  As mentioned, you can retie a bunch on that single leader before it gets too short and you need to start over.  You shouldn't have much, if any line twist on a casting reel.

Some people will tell you that the leader doesn't help, or hurt the fishing as far as visibility goes.  I'm 50/50 on that one myself still.  If you fish around rocks a lot, I would suggest putting on a fluoro leader.  Rocks and braid generally don't mix well.

[Josh D]

ok, maybe a dumb question....

Is the point where the Alberto knot is tied (connecting the braid and fluoro) acceptable to reel through the guides? Obviously a swivel is not accepatable.......but can the knot be hard on them?

Sorry..new to baitcasting...just don't want to make a dumb mistake...

[SoFlaBassAddict]

If you tie the knot correctly, it will be extremely small.  You'll have no issue reeling it through the guides.  You may feel a slight tick on the rod, but thats about it.

[trevor]

OK I dont use leaders (not yet anyways) but do you actually need a 6-8 foot leader? When I use one I just do Like a 2 foot one and a swivel but what ever you do DO NOT put the swivel through your guides!

two foot leader is good enough for me, tied uni to uni. That way, you don't reel the knot through the guides constantly.