Anyone go leaderless? 2024
billmac reply :
This post is prompted by the "popular opinion" post. I'd love to know how much of what we "know" about how to fish is just conventional wisdom without any science behind it. The conventional wisdom is that we have to use leaders at least in part because fish are line shy and braid will scare them off. Someone rightly pointed out that a big honking hook and additions like slip sinkers kind of make that reasoning a little shaky.
Who goes leaderless?
JediAmoeba reply :
For most applications I have a leader - not as much for invisibility but more for going through the water better and such.
Depending on what I am doing, I just find having a fluoro or mono leader let's the bait go through the water and weeds better, the line gets fouled up less on the hooks and if I have to break off it isn't as bad.
Sam reply :
I do.
First, it removes a weak point in line in the line.
Second, when a bass sees the bait and goes for it, the line does not stop him, be it a direct tie or a leader.
He/she is going hard after the bait so get out of the way!!!
This was shown to me by a nationally known pro one day and as I have posted in the past, he waxed my fanny without a leader using braid tied directly to the bait.
the reel ess reply :
When i started using braid I did not use any leader. I started using a mono leader on all braid lines because I read pros said that it would increase my numbers and size. I do not believe it did so. But once you buy into it, it's difficult to discount. I started using jigs a lot a while back and I was using a 15# mono leader, throwing the jig into heavy cover. It occurs to me that it's senseless to have a 30# braid main line and 15# mono leader unless you want to break off, and I don't. So I stopped using any leader with the jig. I'm still in limbo with the spinning rod.
Scott F reply :
I go leaderless. I’ve repeated my reasoning on this site many times. 1. I don’t think bass are line shy. 2. I don’t like the leader knot going through my guides 3. I don’t have problems with abrasion. 4. I don’t mind losing a few inches of expensive braid every time I retire. 5. Tying extra knots and having to buy extra spools of leader material is a pain.
Choporoz reply :
I am not concerned about fish being line-shy.
There are other reasons to use a leader. Abrasion resistance, as @Scott Fmentioned. Being able to break off is another. Saving braid on te-ties, and when changing lures is also a good reason.
billmac reply :
Is fluoro more abrasion resistant than braid? Fluoro sinking, I get. Making breakoffs easier, I get. But not sure about changing lures. Is changing lures harder with braid?
MN Fisher reply :
I don't use leaders on any of my rigs. Two of them have braid and changing lures is just as easy as on my mono/hybrid lines. Just use the correct knots for the braid and it's a cinch.
billmac reply :
Yeah, unless you are talking about biting off the line, braid seems as easy as mono or fluoro. I pretty much use the uni-knot for all my lines.
the reel ess reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 8:55 PM, billmac said:Is fluoro more abrasion resistant than braid? Fluoro sinking, I get. Making breakoffs easier, I get. But not sure about changing lures. Is changing lures harder with braid?
The double uni is a little more involved, but that's for leaders. I like the surgeon's knot for braid to mono. I have no problem with a Palomar. But I don't even use fluoro for anything. The water here is not very clear, I fish shallow places and I plain do not like it.
Steveo-1969 reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 8:52 PM, Choporoz said:I am not concerned about fish being line-shy.
There are other reasons to use a leader. Abrasion resistance, as @Scott Fmentioned. Being able to break off is another. Saving braid on te-ties, and when changing lures is also a good reason.
^^ This. Abrasion resistance, ease of breaking off, and saving expensive braid.
Last weekend I was standing in the middle of a river, got snagged, and broke my leader off. Grrrrr.... I didn't feel like tying on a new leader so I tied my bait directly to my braid. Eventually got snagged again and when I pulled to get it out the braid broke at the reel. Great, now I had to get the braid through the guides while standing in waist-deep water. Which I did, then realized I forgot to put the line under the bail first! Pulled it all out and did it again. Took me 15 minutes to get all this done when I could have tied on a new leader in under 5 minutes and been back to fishing. Not to mention I lost 20 yards of braid which was now in the river and that I would snag occasionally.
Team9nine reply :
I spent a lot of time one fall/winter comparing braid side by side on the water with hair jigs; leaders, colors, etc., and pretty much determined that it generally made little difference in numbers and size of catch most of the time. That said, I still use a leader about 85-90% of the time for a wide variety of reasons. This is all with spinning though, as I feel braid has very few applications where it’s needed on a bait-caster.
Pickle_Power reply :
No leader for me. I experimented for awhile with fluoro to braid, but I didn't find that it provided me enough of an advantage to continue. I rarely fish "snaggy" waters, so the break-off reasons don't really matter to me. If I applied more finesse tactics like drop shot or shaky worm, I may utilize a leader more often.
Scott F reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 9:17 PM, Steveo-1969 said:^^ This. Abrasion resistance, ease of breaking off, and saving expensive braid.
Last weekend I was standing in the middle of a river, got snagged, and broke my leader off. Grrrrr.... I didn't feel like tying on a new leader so I tied my bait directly to my braid. Eventually got snagged again and when I pulled to get it out the braid broke at the reel. Great, now I had to get the braid through the guides while standing in waist-deep water. Which I did, then realized I forgot to put the line under the bail first! Pulled it all out and did it again. Took me 15 minutes to get all this done when I could have tied on a new leader in under 5 minutes and been back to fishing. Not to mention I lost 20 yards of braid which was now in the river and that I would snag occasionally.
What size braid were you using?
Steveo-1969 reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 9:26 PM, Scott F said:What size braid were you using?
This was 10# Sufix Performance Braid.
Troy85 reply :
I recently started using a leader. Although Saturday my uni knot failed on a hookset, so now I'm reconsidering if its really worth it.
billmac reply :
When I need to break off braid, I will usually not do it by using the rod. One of the nice things about braid is that it often just pulls up the obstruction rather than breaking off. I've hauled up some pretty big sections of tree with my lure attached.
Dens228 reply :
I use straight braid, from 20 lb up to 65. I don't use leaders. I've experimented with them and determined no fish catching difference at least for me.
Plus I found them to be a pain in the butt...lol
billmac reply :
If I really thought I needed to use fluoro, I would use a leader long enough so that my knot stayed on the spool, maybe 25 yards or so.
Choporoz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 9:34 PM, billmac said:When I need to break off braid, I will usually not do it by using the rod. One of the nice things about braid is that it often just pulls up the obstruction rather than breaking off. I've hauled up some pretty big sections of tree with my lure attached.
I fish from a kayak in a lot of man made impoundments that are veritable forests in places. I'm not uprooting any trees so far.
Fishingmickey reply :
One reason I use a leader on a bait caster. I use a mono leader for is top water. The mono leader is stiffer then the braid and I find that I foul the line in the front hooks on the bait much less especially when using a "walk the dog" retrieve. On a spinning rod is for breaking off and much less stretch then straight fluoro or mono.
FM
Steveo-1969 reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 9:34 PM, billmac said:When I need to break off braid, I will usually not do it by using the rod. One of the nice things about braid is that it often just pulls up the obstruction rather than breaking off. I've hauled up some pretty big sections of tree with my lure attached.
When I have to break off I pull straight back. I don't use the rod because I don't want to break it. Sometimes I can pull the obstruction to me. Sometimes I straighten the hook. Sometimes I break off at the lure. Sometimes the whole leader breaks off.
When I'm snagged on a big rock or tree trunk with 10# braid, that rock or tree trunk is staying where it is.
dodgeguy reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 8:39 PM, Sam said:I do.
First, it removes a weak point in line in the line.
Second, when a bass sees the bait and goes for it, the line does not stop him, be it a direct tie or a leader.
He/she is going hard after the bait so get out of the way!!!
This was shown to me by a nationally known pro one day and as I have posted in the past, he waxed my fanny without a leader using braid tied directly to the bait.
Love it.
NYWayfarer reply :
No leaders for me. Lately I fish monofilament line almost exclusively it seems.
Dirtyeggroll reply :
I fish most of the time without a leader using 10-lb hi-vis yellow braid on my spinning setups. I have caught a lot of fish on senkos, a ring fry, neko rigs, finesse jigs and dropshots using this setup.
One problem I have encountered is that if I get snagged, the line doesn't tend to break at the knot by the hook but somewhere high up the line leaving a long tail of braid in the water.
I never use a leader on a casting setup.
The Maestro reply :
I'll run a flouro leader on a drop shot and an extremely thin wire leader for jerkbaits to prevent bite offs of $25 baits. For any applications that involve heavy line and a stout rod I go straight braid. I've broken off at the leader on the hookset too many times and I don't think it makes any difference.
WRB reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 9:17 PM, Steveo-1969 said:^^ This. Abrasion resistance, ease of breaking off, and saving expensive braid.
Last weekend I was standing in the middle of a river, got snagged, and broke my leader off. Grrrrr.... I didn't feel like tying on a new leader so I tied my bait directly to my braid. Eventually got snagged again and when I pulled to get it out the braid broke at the reel. Great, now I had to get the braid through the guides while standing in waist-deep water. Which I did, then realized I forgot to put the line under the bail first! Pulled it all out and did it again. Took me 15 minutes to get all this done when I could have tied on a new leader in under 5 minutes and been back to fishing. Not to mention I lost 20 yards of braid which was now in the river and that I would snag occasionally.
All you had to do is remove the spool open the bail and replace the spool, no reason the be retreading line through guides.
The only thing braid does for spinning reels is reduces line twist, otherwise it isn't needed for spinning reels. No reason to fish with a leader requiring 2 knots unless using wire leader.
Tom
Troy85 reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 11:05 PM, WRB said:All you had to do is remove the spool open the bail and replace the spool, no reason the be retreading line through guides.
The only thing braid does for spinning reels is reduces line twist, otherwise it isn't needed for spinning reels. No reason to fish with a leader requiring 2 knots unless using wire leader.
Tom
Tom, I know you fish the clear water lakes of Socal. You use straight fluro/mono or do you use straight braid a majority of the time?
Mike L reply :
Always!!
Mike
WRB reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 11:32 PM, Troy85 said:Tom, I know you fish the clear water lakes of Socal. You use straight fluro/mono or do you use straight braid a majority of the time?
Majority of the time it's straight mono or FC line, 1 heavy cover frog rod with straight braid.
Off shore Marlin and big tuna I use conventional reels with braid backing to increase line capacity with 100 lb test 100' long mono leaders. Also have used Surflon micro wire leader for toothy fish. 2lb test leaders trout fishing, there are a few applications where I use leaders.
Tom
Fried Lemons reply :
I've had a few trips where I broke a leader off and just tied direct with no change in catch rates. I only use a leader when fishing rocks.
Choporoz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 11:48 PM, WRB said:Majority of the time it's straight mono or FC line, 1 heavy cover frog rod with straight braid.
Off shore Marlin and big tuna I use conventional reels with braid backing to increase line capacity with 100 lb test 100' long mono leaders. Also have used Surflon micro wire leader for toothy fish. 2lb test leaders trout fishing, there are a few applications where I use leaders.
Tom
Tom, I figured you must use braid a lot. Since you're always so passionate about suggesting the rest of us not use leaders with braid.
WRB reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 12:14 AM, Choporoz said:Tom, I figured you must use braid a lot. Since you're always so passionate about suggesting the rest of us not use leaders with braid.
I bought a large yard spool of FINS 60 lb original PRC green back in the early 90's for backing on a off shore reel and spooled 1 fresh water bait casting reel at that time. I still use the same braid I bought originally, it will outlast me.
About 15 years ago I tried Daiwa Samuri braid on a spinning reel with and without FC leader. The green dye ran, the wind knotted and leaders failed using a double Uni knot back then. Every year I get out the braid spinning reel to practice knot tying and various leaders and put it away until next year because I rather use straight 5 lb Max UG or 7 lb Sniper FC with 1 knot works good for me.
Tom
keagbassr reply :
20+ years of straight braid for me. Don't see a reason for a leader.
Catt reply :
Don't use a leader
Don't Snell my hooks
Don't peg my weights
Still throw mono a lot
Still use straight shank hooks
Todd2 reply :
No leaders for me for many of the reasons listed. Also, even though my line to lure knot tying is very good, I can not consistently tie good leaders. One time it would lift up logs..next time break very easy.
Log Catcher reply :
I have one spinning setup I recently put braid on just to try it out. I just posted in another thread I use a barrel swivel and about a 2' leader then tie my lure on. I do this to help stop line twist and not have to worry about cutting and retying braid every time I make a change in lures.
Timberwolf530 reply :
I used to when I first started fishing braid 20 years ago or so. However, my eyesight aint getting any better with age, so a couple years ago, I switched from green braid to yellow or chartreuse. I just can't convince myself that tying a neon line directly to the bait won't affect the bite, so I use leaders. A lot of fishing is what you have confidence in. I have confidence in using a leader. BTW, I use both mono and fluoro, but that's a whole new can of worms right there.
Josh Smith reply :
Hello,
These days I'm running straight line in most applications.
1. Jig and heavy plastics rod: Straight 50lb braid. I generally use this in places the vegetation is so thick that the braid blends in.
2. Frog/heavy topwater rod: Straight 65lb braid.
3. Crankbait rod: Straight 12lb XT Trilene.
4. Spinnerbait rod: Straight 12lb Trilene.
5. Light plastics/jerkbait rod: I just put this together this year; it's mostly for lighter plastics rigs. I run 30lb braid with a 12lb fluoro leader. This setup might change.
6. Ultralight rod: 15lb braid with 8lb fluoro leader. I figure I can get away with running a bit bigger diameter leader by using fluorocarbon.
Regards
Hammer 4 reply :
No leaders for me..
BassWhole! reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 8:32 PM, billmac said:This post is prompted by the "popular opinion" post. I'd love to know how much of what we "know" about how to fish is just conventional wisdom without any science behind it. The conventional wisdom is that we have to use leaders at least in part because fish are line shy and braid will scare them off. Someone rightly pointed out that a big honking hook and additions like slip sinkers kind of make that reasoning a little shaky.
Who goes leaderless?
When I fish for bass with braid, I sometimes use a leader, and sometimes I don't for various reasons. Bass being line shy is not one of the reasons, they aren't.
Sphynx reply :
I fish leaderless as far as line to line is concerned, in most situations, having spent the last several weeks fishing in MN I have been using a steel leader because they got mean fish with teeth here in the great white north, and I don't like losing lures if it can be helped, I catch fish either way, and I can't say that I'd go back to messing around with leaders for any reason related to actually catching fish, but I will probably start using them again when I finally use up this spool of power pro and grab some of the nice Seaguar line as a way to increase the amount of time between having to replace line that spendy...usually I use about half (75 yards or so) a spool, which is tied to a mono backing and then use either a fluorocarbon or mono leader depending on what I'm fishing, mono is almost always my preference since it is much less expensive to replace.
long island basser reply :
I don’t use.
Steveo-1969 reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 11:05 PM, WRB said:All you had to do is remove the spool open the bail and replace the spool, no reason the be retreading line through guides.
Dang it, you are WAY smarter than me Tom! Thanks for the tip, I'm going to remember that next time. (Although knowing my luck I would take the spool off, accidentally drop it in the water, and watch the current take it away!).
813basstard reply :
Possibly when fishing very clear water. Don’t have much of that where I live so mostly straight braid.
LonnieP reply :
I've never tied a leader on, but I only use braid for frogs.
bagofdonuts reply :
none for me. but if i were drop shotting alot with spinning gear, i'd consider it.
Mobasser reply :
I use monofilament for 90% of my fishing, so of course no leader with that. I now have one casting rod strung with braid, for frog/toad fishing, and won't use a leader with it either.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 1:26 AM, Catt said:Don't use a leader
Don't Snell my hooks
Don't peg my weights
Still throw mono a lot
Still use straight shank hooks
Get out of my head!!!
I like the way braid/leader fishes but I waste too much time rigging after break offs so I find straight mono easier and faster. Most of the time, after a break off with braid/leader, my leader knot is still intact but the leader is gone (except for about 1/4 inch and the knot). I have much more time with my lure in the water if I don’t have to redo all that each time. Straight braid is fun to fish but some bass are line shy, I don’t care what anyone says. Also, go swimming and listen to braid underwater sometime. If I can hear it a fish can
Randy Price reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 1:12 AM, keagbassr said:20+ years of straight braid for me. Don't see a reason for a leader.
Yep me too!
jbsoonerfan reply :
Straight braid homie
NHBull reply :
I wasn't, but am now, no leader, except for dropshot.
Mobasser reply :
I made a thread about mono lines a while back. I can tie a good knot. That's not a problem. But, I still like having one knot tied to my hook or lure, and I like the way mono handles and cast. Any fish I've lost with mono in 35yrs have been my fault, and I can't blame it on anything else. I really doubt I'll ever use a leader for any of my fishing. Don't see any need to change now
Catt reply :
Every where I fish has lots of vegetation, timber, brush, or all 3.
Bass can not see my line if it had to ????
Armtx77 reply :
I caught 63 LMB this past weekend on a 500 acre lake, 100 degree temprature. The largest was just under 6lbs and almost every fish was between 16-22".
I caught them out of a canoe, in 8-12' of water, using 6lbs Stren HiViz Gold, a neon yellow 1/16oz jig head and purple and chartreuse crappie swim bait.
If there was one fishing boat, there was a dozen. If there was one jet ski, ther were a dozen...etc.
Split rings, plastic bills that are an inch long, treble hooks, Mardi Gras colored baits...etc
Im not buying that fish are line shy.
Manly Studson reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 10:09 PM, NYWayfarer said:No leaders for me. Lately I fish monofilament line almost exclusively it seems.
Same here. Mono has been my choice for almost everything. I don’t fish very deep (no need for fluro), and 12 lb mono works well in thick stuff (no need for braid).
Koz reply :
I’ve fished braid with and without a leader and noticed no difference in catch rates so now I stick with straight braid.
Fishing straight braid came in handy today when I hung up a lipless crank. First I tried the bow technique and let the line snap to vibrate the lure free. No dice. So I let out some line, dropped the rod, then began wrapping the braid around my heavily gloved hand and pulled and pulled, then released the line and the lure popped free. If I was using a leader I would have lost the lure.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I never use a leader with braid on casting gear. I fish topwater poppers and walkers with straight braid and rarely tangle, despite the rumor that it will happen all the time if you try to do it.
I use a leader often with spinning gear, but more for abrasion resistance and sink rate than for the visibility.
I've seen too many bass hammer A-rigs with heavy wire, hooks, snap swivels, looking like a chandelier dragging through the water, to believe that they're that scared of fishing line.
Diggy reply :
When I bring 1 rod with me, I'll use leaders if I fish Texas rigged plastics to prevent them from getting shredded up by the line if they slide up the hook.
king fisher reply :
I tie braid direct to most top water lures. Always use a leader for live bait, and occasionally for sub surface lures. I find myself using mono more than I used to. At one time I used braid for almost every type of fishing. Like lots of people I thought it was a great improvement over mono because of strength to line diameter and low stretch. I have come to realize stretch can be your friend, more than an enemy in many situations. Diameter is a big concern when line capacity is an issue ( mostly saltwater applications). Most of the time I'm not that concerned with diameter. Distance casting with spinning gear being an exception. Sensitivity is a big plus for braid, I use it when I feel I need more sensitivity than than I get with mono, or floro. For fresh water fishing I use mono 80 percent of the time. Straight braid, 10% and braid with floro leader 10%. I only use braid when the advantages are significant. When guiding, or fishing with kids, where I'm the one having to deal with all tangles, mono all the way.
Boomstick reply :
I virtually always run a 6lb or 8lb fluorocarbon leader with my finesse setup, but when it comes to fishing a jig, I will either fish it with 15 or 17lb flurocarbon on my MH/F rod in lesser cover situations or on my H/F rod for heavier cover, and then I often fish it on 65lb braid -- and still have landed a few!
Glenn reply :
I don't use leaders on anything. Call me "old school", but I've been bass fishing since the late sixties, and leaders didn't become a "thing" until recently. I've caught countless fish without using leaders, and never felt the urge to jump on that bandwagon.
FishTank reply :
I only use leader if I need a wire leader for something big and toothy but never for LMB.
billmac reply :
I'm guessing that a lot of you who don't use leaders are still using fluoro, just using a whole spool?
Russ E reply :
On 8/15/2019 at 8:51 AM, billmac said:I'm guessing that a lot of you who don't use leaders are still using fluoro, just using a whole spool?
I use straight braid on baitcasters for topwater. Braid to flouro leader on spinning gear.
All other baitcasters get fluoro or copoy.
I never use a whole spool of fluorocarbon line. Always use a mono backer.
Most of the time I use sunline sniper. It comes in 200 yard spools. I fill 2 reels off of each spool.
new2BC4bass reply :
I haven't been leaderless in over 43 years. That is how long I have been married.
Mike L reply :
On 8/15/2019 at 9:39 AM, new2BC4bass said:I haven't been leaderless in over 43 years. That is how long I have been married.
I know the feeling.
It's 49 today for me!
Mike
CroakHunter reply :
I only fish a leader on spinning rods for line handling issues of mono or fluoro main line on a spinning rod. For the first time in over 5 years I am also fluorocarbon free.
S Hovanec reply :
I did an experiment while fishing Erie a few years ago. 2 identical DS setups fished side by side, one with straight braid and one with my normal FC leader. The braid only rod didn't get bit, while the leadered braid caught multiple fish. That's all I needed to know about braid.
billmac reply :
I'm trying to reduce my fluorocarbon footprint.
Manly Studson reply :
On 8/15/2019 at 8:02 PM, billmac said:I'm trying to reduce my fluorocarbon footprint.
I like it! Let’s call it ‘Green Fishing.’ We could use vines for leaders. Totally organic!
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/15/2019 at 5:49 PM, Mike L said:I know the feeling.
It's 49 today for me!
Mike
Congratulations? Or sympathy? 
roadwarrior reply :
On 8/15/2019 at 7:43 PM, S Hovanec said:I did an experiment while fishing Erie a few years ago. 2 identical DS setups fished side by side, one with straight braid and one with my normal FC leader. The braid only rod didn't get bit, while the leadered braid caught multiple fish. That's all I needed to know about braid.
The other issue that is particularly important to me is the ability to break off when I need to.
The Maestro reply :
On 8/16/2019 at 1:20 AM, roadwarrior said:The other issue that is particularly important to me is the ability to break off when I need to.
I keep a glove on the front deck. Wrap the line around your hand a few times and you can break off pretty much anything. 80lb braid can be a bit tough but she'll go if you pull hard enough.
S Hovanec reply :
On 8/16/2019 at 1:20 AM, roadwarrior said:The other issue that is particularly important to me is the ability to break off when I need to.
Back when I was boatless, i took a float tube trip on a local river. This was back when superlines were pretty new on the scene and I didn't know much about them. I got hung up. I couldn't break off. I actually reeled myself upstream and got over the snag. Still couldn't break it. I had to kick over to the shore and stand up to be able to break it off. That's when leaders became important to me. Then it was for break-off purposes. Now it's for line visibility in clear waters.
Scrapiron reply :
I've been using braid with with either a mono or FC leader for the last few years. Spooled up some Tatsu this past weekend on a baitcaster and wow- long smooth casts; quiet. I think I'm going to try FC for my baitcasters. May get some Gamma or Shooter 12# for larger bottom contact and use the Tatsu 8# for small cranks, chatterbaits, jigs, etc.
I'll probably stick with braid/leader on my spinning setups- tried FC and bleh. Of course I may try again- maybe use a swivel.
roadwarrior reply :
Not me. I only have ten fingers.
Joshua Vandamm reply :
When I have to yea but bites definitely decline. I think they sense the vibrations from it.
Finesse it works fine.
bwjay reply :
I use braid to FC or copoly leader on all setups besides frogging or heavy cover jigging, where I use straight braid. I'm out to catch big fish and I'm not going to take the time to find out if big ones will or won't care about braid. It's not something I want to worry about. I just make sure to wet the crap out of my connection knot (double uni) which I also make sure looks right as I cinch it down.
Actually I just remembered, I've been trying some Yo-Zuri Hybrid 10lb on one of my baitcasters as it got pretty low on braid and I decided to try some non-braid on a baitcaster again to see if I have a horrific experience like I did when I tried Sniper. My casting skills have improved and so far it's been OK. I may use straight copoly/FC on lighter pitching setups or for cranking, but braid is still my go-to because of its sensitivity and almost lack of stretch and lack of memory. Yeah, it takes a few minutes to tie on a new leader, which sucks since it's time not spent fishing, but it's worth the peace of mind (not spooking a big one) to me.
Joshua Vandamm reply :
On 8/16/2019 at 3:48 AM, bwjay said:I use braid to FC or copoly leader on all setups besides frogging or heavy cover jigging, where I use straight braid. I'm out to catch big fish and I'm not going to take the time to find out if big ones will or won't care about braid. It's not something I want to worry about. I just make sure to wet the crap out of my connection knot (double uni) which I also make sure looks right as I cinch it down.
Actually I just remembered, I've been trying some Yo-Zuri Hybrid 10lb on one of my baitcasters as it got pretty low on braid and I decided to try some non-braid on a baitcaster again to see if I have a horrific experience like I did when I tried Sniper. My casting skills have improved and so far it's been OK. I may use straight copoly/FC on lighter pitching setups or for cranking, but braid is still my go-to because of its sensitivity and almost lack of stretch and lack of memory. Yeah, it takes a few minutes to tie on a new leader, which sucks since it's time not spent fishing, but it's worth the peace of mind (not spooking a big one) to me.
If you know how to cast right braid is harder to prevent backlash’s with than anything else
GeekFisher reply :
I only use leader on finesse rigs (dropshot/ned rig on ML rods)
bwjay reply :
On 8/16/2019 at 5:18 AM, Joshua Vandamm said:If you know how to cast right braid is harder to prevent backlash’s with than anything else
Why's that? Braid has been very good to me in terms of preventing backlashes and overruns. And it's easier than anything else to actually fix the backlash. I found FC and copoly love to bite down on themselves and it makes it challenging to undo a backlash. Braid slips nicely and I've had almost no backlash problems with it. My casting isn't "wrong" per se, but I do keep spool tension tighter than maybe I should. But other than that it fluffs up a lot less than FC and copoly in my experience, due to no memory I think.
Mike L reply :
On 8/15/2019 at 11:42 PM, new2BC4bass said:Congratulations? Or sympathy?
Thanks Pal!
Sometimes I'm not sure!
????
OkobojiEagle reply :
I've been waiting for someone else to expound upon how a mono-filament leader can help control speed/depth of your presentation, especially light soft baits. Mono-filament leaders will also smooth out your retrieve (reducing the jerkiness of the bait many anglers have trouble controlling).
oe
Team9nine reply :
On 8/16/2019 at 10:49 PM, OkobojiEagle said:I've been waiting for someone else to expound upon how a mono-filament leader can help control speed/depth of your presentation, especially light soft baits. Mono-filament leaders will also smooth out your retrieve (reducing the jerkiness of the bait many anglers have trouble controlling).
oe
A lot of baits definitely present differently on nylon/FC compared to braid; even between FC and nylon to some degree....sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, and sometimes no difference at all (vs. bites). Very overlooked concept.
Joshua Vandamm reply :
On 8/16/2019 at 11:10 PM, Team9nine said:A lot of baits definitely present differently on nylon/FC compared to braid; even between FC and nylon to some degree....sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, and sometimes no difference at all (vs. bites). Very overlooked concept.
Yep. Because it’s hard to describe. Most experienced fisherman just say they hate braid and leave it at that. LOL.
But what pro uses braid leader for anything but spinning and Topwater? Not a single one
On 8/16/2019 at 5:53 AM, bwjay said:Why's that? Braid has been very good to me in terms of preventing backlashes and overruns. And it's easier than anything else to actually fix the backlash. I found FC and copoly love to bite down on themselves and it makes it challenging to undo a backlash. Braid slips nicely and I've had almost no backlash problems with it. My casting isn't "wrong" per se, but I do keep spool tension tighter than maybe I should. But other than that it fluffs up a lot less than FC and copoly in my experience, due to no memory I think.
By wrong I mean using brakes not thumbing. Most high level angles don’t use breaks at all.
Team9nine reply :
On 8/17/2019 at 7:32 AM, Joshua Vandamm said:
But what pro uses braid leader for anything but spinning and Topwater? Not a single one
Exactly, hence my first response in this thread back on page 1...
Bigassbass reply :
I've never used a leader, why use braid if you're going to tie on a piece of mono or fluorocarbon, makes no sense just use mono and forget it! One line tied straight onto the bait, no weak spots to break. If you need to have the stretch feel on braid then you really aren't in love with it. My opinion.
Choporoz reply :
On 9/10/2019 at 3:32 AM, Bigassbass said:I've never used a leader, why use braid if you're going to tie on a piece of mono or fluorocarbon, makes no sense just use mono and forget it! One line tied straight onto the bait, no weak spots to break. If you need to have the stretch feel on braid then you really aren't in love with it. My opinion.
On 8/13/2019 at 8:52 PM, Choporoz said:....
There are other reasons to use a leader. Abrasion resistance, ....@Scott F Being able to break off is another. Saving braid on te-ties, and when changing lures is also a good reason.
Siebert Outdoors reply :
I rarely fish a leader on braid.
Scuba Steve reply :
I typically tend to use leaders only on my main spinning rig. I use 10# high vis yellow power pro with usually 6’ of 8# mono. The alberto knot is a piece of cake to tie once you get the muscle memory down for the wraps and it’s super strong. I know by definition it is, but I’d hardly call it a weak point. I honestly don’t view the leader as as inconvenience. I usually don’t tie leaders on my couple rods that have low vis green power pro.
fvogel67 reply :
I use straight braid on all my river setups,If I get hung up I wrap the braid around a small wooden dowel and pull my lure free.
LionHeart reply :
I'll just admit it, I'm afraid bass are line shy
fvogel67 reply :
This one wasn’t
NathanDLTH reply :
It depends where I’m fishing and the structure. There’s maybe three reels I’ll go braid to leader one being my spinning. Other than that, it’s straight braid or flouro.
billmac reply :
I wouldn't use a mono leader because mono is cheap. I use a fluoro leader on my spinning rod not because of strategic reasons but economic ones.
fishwizzard reply :
I use leaders on spinning reels because I prefer small reels and braid is unfortunately the best option for them. On casting reels I only use braid when I want a strong and manageable line, so a leader would defeat the purpose.
Shif29 reply :
I used leaders in my braid until I hooked into the biggest largemouth of my life and snap goes my leader. Some will probably say it was my fault for tying a bad knot and it could have been. A lot of guys use a leader to often break off if need be until it breaks when you don’t want it to. Leaders are another point of failure that’s just my opinion, but then again leaders are very tough and some huge fish have been caught with them so your choice.
Glenn reply :
On 9/10/2019 at 9:19 PM, Shif29 said:Leaders are another point of failure
^^ This ^^ After decades of bass fishing, I haven't yet found a reason to use leader. But I've found reasons NOT to use leaders, this being the main one.
billmac reply :
On 9/10/2019 at 10:59 PM, Glenn said:After decades of bass fishing, I haven't yet found a reason to use leader.
Glenn, I know from your videos that you use fluoro. I assume this means you simply spool the whole reel with fluoro?
YoTone reply :
i tried jig fishing with 17 lbs big game a few days ago. broke off on my first swing. tied it directly to some hi vis braid and was catching them no problem.
ill use leaders for bank fishing if i dont want to waste tons of line if i get snagged but other than that and mono for top waters and my spinning set up ill stick to straight braid for everything else.
boostr reply :
Braid isn't rock resistant as Flouro is.
YoTone reply :
On 9/12/2019 at 1:25 AM, boostr said:Braid isn't rock resistant as Flouro is.
I'm not even going to say I'm a decent jig angler but I think when I set the hook on a Bass the force of the hook set and the rod power brings them upwards away from the rocks. But again maybe I'm just asking for heart break but I've never really had a problem breaking off on a hard hook set with braid.
boostr reply :
On 9/12/2019 at 6:09 AM, YoTone said:I'm not even going to say I'm a decent jig angler but I think when I set the hook on a Bass the force of the hook set and the rod power brings them upwards away from the rocks. But again maybe I'm just asking for heart break but I've never really had a problem breaking off on a hard hook set with braid.
But if your dragging your jig through the rocks It could definitely weaken the braid, I think that's why they recommend using fluoro leader. Zebra muscles would definitely do a number on it.
YoTone reply :
On 9/13/2019 at 3:32 AM, boostr said:But if your dragging your jig through the rocks It could definitely weaken the braid, I think that's why they recommend using fluoro leader. Zebra muscles would definitely do a number on it.
maybe ill pick up some heavy floro leader then. like i said im not jig expert but i do always have one tied on. i may not always throw it every outing but i do break it out when times get tough.
soflabasser reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 8:32 PM, billmac said:This post is prompted by the "popular opinion" post. I'd love to know how much of what we "know" about how to fish is just conventional wisdom without any science behind it. The conventional wisdom is that we have to use leaders at least in part because fish are line shy and braid will scare them off. Someone rightly pointed out that a big honking hook and additions like slip sinkers kind of make that reasoning a little shaky.
Who goes leaderless?
I go ''leaderless'' whenever I do not see an added benefit to using a leader. For example I do not use a leader when fishing for largemouth bass with hollow belly frogs. I do use a leader when I need the extra abrasion resistance mono provides over braided line, such as fishing near concrete or other abrasive structure.
Tony johnson reply :
straight braid unless i am drop shoting and then i tie leader or what ever lb line i need
Bird reply :
Most of the lakes I fish are gin clear.
I never use swivels and only direct tie so with efficiency in mind, no leader.
I MUCH prefer braid in moss green but do have several reels rigged with fluorocarbon , fish don't seem to care.
Only complaint with braid.....it's in love with front treble, if applicable.
I also fish from a brilliantly bright orange boat and fish once again don't seem to care.
But just like the baits we throw.....confidence is paramount.
Bigassbass reply :
You want a perfect line which there are none. The mono tied to braid is defeating the purpose of using braid, like I said just use mono and forget about it.
TBAG reply :
Leaderless here.
The Bassman reply :
On 9/16/2019 at 8:37 AM, Bird said:
Only complaint with braid.....it's in love with front treble, if applicable.
Man, ain't that the truth? Very frustrating to lay out a perfect cast only to have a bait floundering on the surface. Definitely a bigger problem when fishing into the wind.
related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.