Take Me To Your Leader (Snap To It) Or Not?

[silvercliff_46]

So Okay, I use 30-50 pound super braid on all my rods. When I'm fishing plastics should I use a leader. What should I use? I was thinking 20 pound floro? What kind of joining knot should I use? A leader never seemed that important before, are they getting line shy all of a sudden?

Also along this line, would it really be so bad to use a snap on my crank/spinner/etc. baits. I haven't done it yet, but arthritis/failing vision/general olditis would make it easier.

[Sam]

Silvercliff, I use snaps and they work great.

Easy to tie a Palamor Knot on them and then just change out your buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, lipless crankbaits and Chatterbaits in a "snap."

You may want to use a small O ring or a small piece of lawn tractor fuel line on your spinnerbaits and buzzbaits to hold the snap in place. The metal wire in bread ties works, too.

Since I only use braid when I throw frogs, without any leaders, I cannot be of assistance to the first part of your query.

[Shad_Master]

This has been an issue for me for several years as I am an avid braid fisherman. I always get grief from other guys about the "visibility" of the line and the negative affect this might have on bass hitting my soft plastics. My argument has always been, have you ever considered how much crap there is in the water already? Do you really think a thin piece of line is going to stand out?

However, last year I gave in to the pressure and started using a leader. Had a pretty good year, but can't say definitely that this was the reason, but why screw around with success. So now I use a flourocarbon leader for all my T-rig and weightless rig applications. I typically use 12# flouro, about 6', and join it to the braid with a uni-knot. you might occasionally feel a tick as the knot goes through the top guide, but that is not really a big deal (at least to me). You do need to check the leader for signs of abrasion during the day and they can be a female dog to re-tie in the wind. But that is just the nature of the set up.

[Lund Explorer]

Hey Yooper....... Dat snow melt up der yet, eh?

You got two really good pieces of advice above me, so you should be all set. Only thing I would add to what Sam said is to use a "Duo-Lock" snap.

At least that's how this Troll sees it.

[silvercliff_46]

Hey Yooper....... Dat snow melt up der yet, eh?

You got two really good pieces of advice above me, so you should be all set. Only thing I would add to what Sam said is to use a "Duo-Lock" snap.

At least that's how this Troll sees it.

Yah! snows gone! Had to leave when the ticks set up house keeping. Ticks left (well still in the woods, and tall grass) when the state bird showed up "SKEETS". I did start the ice auger the first of the month. I start it once a month. Ya never know, ya know! Truth is we're bustin' it trying to get the last of the wood split while we still got enough heat to dry it. It's been hot and humid. I'm waiting for the break, when we got to put the wool shirt back on. It'll come soon.

I'll have to check the Walmart in Iron Mountain for those snaps. They are the nearest place to mine, only 45 miles up the road. By the way, what the hell's wrong with them Red Wings. I'm still bummed about that.

Thanks for the advise fella's (all of ya)

[SirSnookalot]

I have never seen Duolocks at Walmart, just inexpensive swivel snaps. I usually look for a deal on Ebay.

I use duolocks all the time for freshwater fishing, with leader and I tie an ordinary clinch knot. Failure from lure to snap to leader to mainline is non existent.

I've gotten out of the habit of using a snaps for larger fish, I opt for a loopknot to attach my lure off my leader. The loopknot ties quick, even for weak eyes,holds very strong and gives the lure plenty of action. I've had my 40# leaders snapped many times, but can't recall the knot itself failing.

[Lund Explorer]

Yah! snows gone! Had to leave when the ticks set up house keeping. Ticks left (well still in the woods, and tall grass) when the state bird showed up "SKEETS". I did start the ice auger the first of the month. I start it once a month. Ya never know, ya know! Truth is we're bustin' it trying to get the last of the wood split while we still got enough heat to dry it. It's been hot and humid. I'm waiting for the break, when we got to put the wool shirt back on. It'll come soon.

I'll have to check the Walmart in Iron Mountain for those snaps. They are the nearest place to mine, only 45 miles up the road. By the way, what the hell's wrong with them Red Wings. I'm still bummed about that.

Thanks for the advise fella's (all of ya)

They replaced a semi-solid goaltender with a future greeter at Wally World! I'm surprised they haven't set down a welcome mat in the crease. Didn't help the experiment of splitting up Datsyuk and Zetterberg to make two half***ed lines either. Bottom line is this team lacks too many things, goaltending, puck handling, offense, and an ability to stay healthy for a whole season. I wasn't too impressed with free agency either. Kinda sounds like I'm a little down on them, huh?

I still have yet to make it up to Bessemer this year. Trip was supposed to happen in May, and here it is July already. It's almost to the point that I should wait for September/October and the walleye run on Bay De Noc.

[NBR]

For very clear water I would use a leader but I'm not sure ir really makes much difference except in my head. I remember an In-Fisherman artical from many years back that claimed that some fish and maybe walleyes specifically would follow the line down to the bait. I use snaps for many of the same reasons. Foe R-bend spinner baits it is easier to put a piece of tubing on the R and then put the snap ahead of the snap. Keeps from having the snap slide away from the R during the cast or retrieve but half the time or more I'm to lazy to do it.

Sometimes after a tough day it is hard the remember these creatures have a brain the size of a pea.

[Marty]

I don't use leaders but I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but I have confidence fishing leaderless.

I also use duolock snaps with a Palomar knot. Been doing that for 42 years, but, of course, not all those years with braid, which wasn't around in my earlier years.

[silvercliff_46]

They replaced a semi-solid goaltender with a future greeter at Wally World! I'm surprised they haven't set down a welcome mat in the crease. Didn't help the experiment of splitting up Datsyuk and Zetterberg to make two half***ed lines either. Bottom line is this team lacks too many things, goaltending, puck handling, offense, and an ability to stay healthy for a whole season. I wasn't too impressed with free agency either. Kinda sounds like I'm a little down on them, huh?

I still have yet to make it up to Bessemer this year. Trip was supposed to happen in May, and here it is July already. It's almost to the point that I should wait for September/October and the walleye run on Bay De Noc.

Ya never know, you might be punchin' holes and setting tip-ups by then. :-)

[silvercliff_46]

I don't use leaders but I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but I have confidence fishing leaderless.

I also use duolock snaps with a Palomar knot. Been doing that for 42 years, but, of course, not all those years with braid, which wasn't around in my earlier years.

I'm sure you mean the super braid, as I cut my teeth on the old black braided line when the only control on a reel was your thunb, and the handles spun like a top. We used leaders then, but then were steel, just like the rod I had. I'm not kidding, but don't get me started. You know how old guys can go on.

[Marty]

I'm sure you mean the super braid, as I cut my teeth on the old black braided line when the only control on a reel was your thunb, and the handles spun like a top. We used leaders then, but then were steel, just like the rod I had. I'm not kidding, but don't get me started. You know how old guys can go on.

Yeah, I know how old guys can go on since I am one. And yes, I meant today's superlines.

When I was a kid I owned a baitcasting outfit and yes, the reel had no level wind. There was a nearby pond with a dock and metal hoops on the water at various distances for casting competition. A bunch of us were there all the time just trying to cast our practice plugs into the hoops. I never actually fished until I was 31.

[silvercliff_46]

I honestly don't know when I started. As far back as I can remember I had a cane pole, and a can of worms. Fishing, hunting, trapping have been a way of life for me from little on. I'm not sure what I'll do when I grow up.

[FL_Sharpshooter]

Interlocking snaps for sure, I've used them a ton and never had one come undone on me. Just a simple Palomar knot will work as others have mentioned. If you decide to attach a leader to your braid, I would highly recommend using an Albright knot, just because of how flat the knot is.