fishing with a leader

[wackyworm66]

I like to fish braid on my crankbait rod.  In doing this, due to water clarity, I will use a fluro leader about 3-4 feet long.  I tie a uni-to-uni knot. My problem is after making cast after cast, with the knot banging on my last rod eye, the knot gets beat up and eventually I throw off a crankbait.  Does anyone else experience this and does anyone have a solution other than retying about every 30 minutes? :-/

[Crestliner2008]

Switch from the "Uni-to-Uni" knot to the "Albright". Much slimmer, tougher and just as easy to tie. Will flow through your guides much better too. Consider also going to a 6' or 7' leader as well. You want the knot on the surface of spool of line when the cast is started.

[SirSnookalot]

Use a swivel with about a 15" leader, knot of your choice, I use a modifed improved clinch.

[BassThumb]

Double Uni knots take more abuse than the Albright knot and I think it causes occasional breakoffs.

[Hammer 4]

All I can say is..I used 55lb braid, with a 15 or 20 lb copoly leader, about 4' long to throw swimbaits in the 3oz range, using a uni to uni knot, never had any problems.

I think the succsess I had was because of the way I tied the knot/knots. 8 loops over the braid, and at least 6 loops over the copoly, made for a fairly good knot.

[baluga]

alberto knot..

I use at least 6 ft of 12# FC leader on 20# braid on 6'6" casting rod for hardbaits. Hardly feel the knot hit the guides on the cast and retrieve.

[BassThumb]

All I can say is..I used 55lb braid, with a 15 or 20 lb copoly leader, about 4' long to throw swimbaits in the 3oz range, using a uni to uni knot, never had any problems.

I think the succsess I had was because of the way I tied the knot/knots. 8 loops over the braid, and at least 6 loops over the copoly, made for a fairly good knot.

I broke off a 17# CXX leader twice last year with the Double Uni. I chalk it up to the abuse that the large knot took from going thru the guides. I use fewer loops than you because I want to keep the knot as small as possible.  Maybe that could be the problem.  I've only had issues with the Double Uni breaking when I'm using larger lines with larger knots.

[Bassn Blvd]

Why are you using braid for cranks in the first place?  Why not just use mono?  But, if you insist on using braid then just use a shorter leader. Or don't use a leader at all.  I'm sure your crank bait looks just as fake to a bass then a thin strip of braid it's tied to.

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[Hooligan]

Why are you using braid for cranks in the first place? Why not just use mono? But, if you insist on using braid then just use a shorter leader. Or don't use a leader at all. I'm sure your crank bait looks just as fake to a bass then a thin strip of braid it's tied to.

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Mono Sucks!  Go Fluoro for cranks!

[Dr. Perf]

I use braid on most of my setups and with the exception of frogging and punching combinations, a FC leader with the braid. The Alberto's Knot (modified Albright) is a great knot for strength and reduced size, but I find it difficult to tie correctly/consistently.

After some searching, I found the Improved Albright, which is easier to tie and, so far, just as strong as a correctly tied Alberto's. I generally make 9 wraps around both leader strands and mainline, then 3-4 wraps around a single leader strand and the mainline.

The Improved Albright knot is small, so there is no issue flowing through a small line guide, such as on a Dobyns DX 702C. With regards to strength, I have never had a break-off at the knot and straightened some hooks when pulling free from snags.

Doc

[Grey Wolf]

I like to fish braid on my crankbait rod. In doing this, due to water clarity, I will use a fluro leader about 3-4 feet long. I tie a uni-to-uni knot. My problem is after making cast after cast, with the knot banging on my last rod eye, the knot gets beat up and eventually I throw off a crankbait. Does anyone else experience this and does anyone have a solution other than retying about every 30 minutes? :-/

You really don't need a leader when your fishing cranks, , I don't care how clear your water is. JMHO

[Fish Chris]

Mono Sucks!  Go Fluoro for cranks!

Well yes, mono sucks. But fluorocarbon is also monofilament, and it also sucks.

I use a blood knot to tie my braid to my mono leader. Sometimes I will leave enough line off of my reel, to get the knot out past my rod tip, even if I have to make a pendulum cast. For shorter, more gentle casts, I let the knot rip through the last guide or two. Doesn't sound pretty, but my knots never seem to fail, so I guess that's what's important.

Fish

PS, Braid for cranks is fine, but if I was throwing cranks, I'd use a softer rod, and run a pretty light drag, to prevent straightening or ripping hooks out.

[Wayne P.]

I use the uni-uni knot for fluoro/braid with 6 turns, sometimes 7 turns, on both lines. The longer knot passes thru the rod guides better than a short fat knot. I don't do that with crankbaits though, it serves no purpose for horizontal presentations. I use the fluorocarbon as weight to make the braid sink.

I have never had that connection to break unless I get hung up and have to break off, but most of the time the leader breaks at the hook. I use 20# fluorocarbon with 40# superline for weightless finesse presentations and retie about every 150-200 fish caught. I do not leave the tag end of either side sticking out from the knot, I cut them off flush with the knots. It passes thru the micro guides with no problem.