Braid leader or not? 2024
MMan16 reply :
One of my reels is spooled with braid (green). I use it around weeds and topwater frogs and such with no leader. My question is if I'm using it in open water for jigs do I need a mono or fluro leader? Or can I just black out the first few feet with a sharpie? I've seen both ways I'd like to not have to use a leader just because its another possible breaking point. Any opinions?
dodgeguy reply :
no need for a leader.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
If you ask 10 different people, you're probably going to get 10 different answers and reasons why or why not to. Personally, I'll put on a fluoro leader. Since changing to the Alberto Knot, I haven't broken one off because of the leader to mainline knot. Do what you feel will work best for you. If you deal with rocks a lot, a leader probably isn't a bad idea. Rocks tend to chew up braid quickly. If you're in heavy enough cover, I don't really see the need for it.
MMan16 reply :
Is there ever a time you would use one? I mean most people I talk to or shows I watch seem 50/50. It make sense that its more difficult for fish to see mono or fluro than braid.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Mono is very easy to see underwater. It's makeup forces it to transmit light. The only time I use mono is as a shock leader to absorb impact on something like a moving bait. I leave my leader on all the time on my worming and jig rod. It's a confidence thing with the invisibility of fluoro. Experiment and see what works best for you.
MMan16 reply :
Guess I'll have to try this weekend with and without and see what happens. What about coloring with a sharpie worth trying or not?
Stasher1 reply :
Not to be rude, but how is coloring it with a marker going to make it less visible to the fish? If they can see green braid, I'm willing to bet they can see black braid just as well...if not better.
I tend to use a leader with slow-moving baits (shaky head, t-rigs, dropshot, etc.) and finesse jigs in clear water. For moving baits like spinnerbaits and cranks, or in cloudy/dirty water, I think it's less of an issue.
MMan16 reply :
I've never tried it but I'm seeing a lot of people doing it. They say it makes it less visible. I would imagine it would black doesn't stand out as much as green but its probablÝ a slight difference.
OHIO reply :
Honestly I don't think you need a leader when you are using braid in any situation. Maybe the fish can see it, maybe they can't but I don't think it matters either way. The fish do not know what fishing line is and therefore I don't think they would shy away from any meal because there is a green line above it. I used to use a leader, but do not anymore because I haven't seen a difference between it and using only braid. I still catch fish at the same rate as I did with a leader.
MMan16 reply :
QuoteHonestly I don't think you need a leader when you are using braid in any situation. Maybe the fish can see it, maybe they can't but I don't think it matters either way. The fish do not know what fishing line is and therefore I don't think they would shy away from any meal because there is a green line above it. I used to use a leader, but do not anymore because I haven't seen a difference between it and using only braid. I still catch fish at the same rate as I did with a leader.
I'm definately leaning towards what your saying. Up until now I've used leaders except on topwaters over heavy vegetation.
B-Dozer reply :
QuoteHonestly I don't think you need a leader when you are using braid in any situation. Maybe the fish can see it, maybe they can't but I don't think it matters either way. The fish do not know what fishing line is and therefore I don't think they would shy away from any meal because there is a green line above it. I used to use a leader, but do not anymore because I haven't seen a difference between it and using only braid. I still catch fish at the same rate as I did with a leader.
I feel the same way. Most of my fishing is in weedy areas, and adding a leader will only make it weaker. I know some will say "correctly tied knot" but any knot, swivel, whatever is a weakness. It might seem strange to some I use white braid, but I tried black marker thing, never could notice a difference. If a leader gives you more confidence, you will catch more fish. Not intended to insult anyone, maybe I'm FOS, who knows. 
BASSclary reply :
It depends if the fish are line shy or not IMO. Some places a fluoro leader is a must, while some places the fish could care less. Not every fish will want to see a string coming off of there meal, but some might not care. I always use a fluoro leader unless i'm frogging or jigging in very heavy cover.
But like SoFla said if your fishing rocks a fluoro leader or a CXX type leader is a must
BrASSmonkey reply :
I use a heavy fluoro leader on some of my combos and lighter on others. I use a fluoro leader for 2 reasons:
1 - I like the added confidence of the 'invisible' line
2 - I fish in northern pike infested waters
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
One other benefit of having a leader is that it does give you a breaking point if you get snagged and have a lure you can't retrieve.
fishfordollars reply :
Never put a leader on braid in my life. If you are fishing grass i can not believe that a fish can glance at a lure and distinguish whether that is line or a grass stem extended from the front of the lure.
An additional knot and a strip of mono filament line are just creating extra weak points. If I'm worried about line visibility I'll just go ahead and spool on flouro or mono.
dodgeguy reply :
QuoteNot to be rude, but how is coloring it with a marker going to make it less visible to the fish? If they can see green braid, I'm willing to bet they can see black braid just as well...if not better.I tend to use a leader with slow-moving baits (shaky head, t-rigs, dropshot, etc.) and finesse jigs in clear water. For moving baits like spinnerbaits and cranks, or in cloudy/dirty water, I think it's less of an issue.
as colors go deeper they turn black.black is harder to see against darker backrounds then green .especially braid when it turns light green.my next question is do we think it really matters if they see it?after years of trying different lines under different conditions i have come to the conclusion line visibility means nothing.you either have a fish willing to bite your bait or you don't.if he's concentrating on your line you have the wrong bait.
fishfordollars reply :
X2, It also breaks up the solid color.
BASSclary reply :
QuoteQuoteNot to be rude, but how is coloring it with a marker going to make it less visible to the fish? If they can see green braid, I'm willing to bet they can see black braid just as well...if not better.I tend to use a leader with slow-moving baits (shaky head, t-rigs, dropshot, etc.) and finesse jigs in clear water. For moving baits like spinnerbaits and cranks, or in cloudy/dirty water, I think it's less of an issue.
as colors go deeper they turn black.black is harder to see against darker backrounds then green .especially braid when it turns light green.my next question is do we think it really matters if they see it?after years of trying different lines under different conditions i have come to the conclusion line visibility means nothing.you either have a fish willing to bite your bait or you don't.if he's concentrating on your line you have the wrong bait.
IMHO If a fish is concentrating on your line you have the wrong line.
Steve_IA reply :
I've added leaders when I wasn't getting bit... never helped. If you're going to color the braid, color it to blend into the background you intend to fish. This might be a black bottom, a green weed bed or a blue/grey sky. What should be important is whether or not you can see the line, so pick a line color that is visible to you. Lastly, line diameter may be more important than color to visibility. If bites are tough to come by, use the thinnest diameter braid you can get away with and that's probably much thinner than you think.
steve
Josh Bassman reply :
I fish two very clear lakes, and fluorocarbon is a must with slow presentations. I do use a 10lbs braid and a 6lbs fluorocarbon for my dropshot setup... and I love it. A double uni knot with a 10 ft fluorocarbon leader.
Fluorocarbon will catch more fish in clear water.
bigbassdave reply :
This topic is as old as the existence of superlines themselves but I've yet to see any compelling, "objective" study that has offered any solid evidence regarding the visibility of braid to fish, and whether or not it's really an issue. All we have is anecdotes. So, I feel compelled to offer mine. About 15 years ago I sat next to my best friend in a two-man boat while we slowly structure fished a very rocky levee with identical red shad power worms. My buddy had his texas rigged on monofilament and I was trying out some new hi-vis yellow braid (forget the brand) with my own texas rig. Over a 45 minute period, my buddy boated 7 or 8 bass of varying sizes. I don't recall any lunkers, but there were some nice bass. Finally, I dug into my bag and pulled out a backup reel loaded with tan (or maybe olive) braid which I proceeded to camo further with a dark green marker. I caught a nice bass on the spot on the very first cast using the new rig. I proceeded to catch fish for the next 30 minutes or so until it starting getting dark, thoroughly out-fishing my buddy. What I concluded from this all of this is that on that particular day, at that particular spot, those particular bass could see my high-vis yellow line and it affected their willingness to bite. I cannot say with any certainty that this behavior occurs on other lakes or other situations because I have never experienced such an obvious difference in results using two different types of line. The water was not crystal clear, but was lightly stained--probably 2-4 foot visibility. I have continued to experimented with coloring my braid and/or using flouro leaders for many years since and have often caught bass without doing either--although I never tried hi-vis yellow again without some kind of alteration. The only thing I can say at this point is that it probably doesn't hurt anything to camo the end of your line with a marker---I prefer a dark olive, or a "red-mud" hue of some kind--and....if I was a tournament fisherman, in it for the money, I would be inclined to use the flouro leader in any slow-fishing situation in clear, well-lit water. I don't think it matters one way or the other if you're pitching jigs at stumps in muddy water--even high-vis yellow.
Fat-G reply :
It's not needed. I've only used one once, and it was for no other reason than I wanted to see if I tied the knot correctly. Otherwise I never use one. If you were going to, P-Line CXX is really, really good.
This girl didn't mind it....
Tuckman reply :
I have braid on 7 rods on my rod locker right now, and at least 4 of them have 10' flouro leaders.
It completely depends on the type of presentation, water conditions, and the mood of the fish.
With reaction baits, fishing in thick weeds, or in murky water a dark color braid tied directly to the bait is fine but anyone who thinks they will get as many bites drop shotting or tossing bottom contact baits on straight braid without a leader in clear water with sparse or no cover is the kind of person I like to fish against in tournaments.
Sure you will still get fish throwing 100% straight braid but why not optimize your presentation?
Hammer 4 reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteNot to be rude, but how is coloring it with a marker going to make it less visible to the fish? If they can see green braid, I'm willing to bet they can see black braid just as well...if not better.I tend to use a leader with slow-moving baits (shaky head, t-rigs, dropshot, etc.) and finesse jigs in clear water. For moving baits like spinnerbaits and cranks, or in cloudy/dirty water, I think it's less of an issue.
as colors go deeper they turn black.black is harder to see against darker backrounds then green .especially braid when it turns light green.my next question is do we think it really matters if they see it?after years of trying different lines under different conditions i have come to the conclusion line visibility means nothing.you either have a fish willing to bite your bait or you don't.if he's concentrating on your line you have the wrong bait.
IMHO If a fish is concentrating on your line you have the wrong line.
I'd say your using the wrong lure, and or presentation..
dodgeguy reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteNot to be rude, but how is coloring it with a marker going to make it less visible to the fish? If they can see green braid, I'm willing to bet they can see black braid just as well...if not better.I tend to use a leader with slow-moving baits (shaky head, t-rigs, dropshot, etc.) and finesse jigs in clear water. For moving baits like spinnerbaits and cranks, or in cloudy/dirty water, I think it's less of an issue.
as colors go deeper they turn black.black is harder to see against darker backrounds then green .especially braid when it turns light green.my next question is do we think it really matters if they see it?after years of trying different lines under different conditions i have come to the conclusion line visibility means nothing.you either have a fish willing to bite your bait or you don't.if he's concentrating on your line you have the wrong bait.
IMHO If a fish is concentrating on your line you have the wrong line.
I'd say your using the wrong lure, and or presentation..
thank you.
iceintheveins reply :
Always use a leader unless it's murky water, or with frogs. Use a mono leader for frogs and fluoro for everything else. Connected with back to back uni knots and make sure to lube the knots well.
YakAttack reply :
I use a fluorocarbon leader with bottom contact presentations. Not because of the visibility factor though. My local lake is very rocky bottom, so I use it for abrasion resistance.
Normally connected with a back/back uni knot, but have been experimenting with the albright knot.
Josh Bassman reply :
Another benefit of using braid/fluoro leader is braid absorbs line twist very well.
Fluorocarbon on your spinning reel can be a pain after a few days of dropshotting. If you fish your dropshot fast, you will get line twist. Braid will solve that problem.
BobP reply :
If you're going to color green braid with a black Sharpie, do it in an intermittent pattern, not solid black all the way. The idea is that the different colors will break up the linear look of the line, like camouflage.
I fish clear water and only use braid in heavy grass where the fish can't get a look at the line before they see the bait. Don't much care for throwing braid with a FC leader knot in it, so I just use FC except when I think I'll be cutting through vegetation.
MMan16 reply :
I went fishing yesterday and tried both ways. Shaded black(camo) and about 4 feet of straight black. They both seem to make the line less visible I think the patrially colored would be good around vegetation and the solid black in deep water or stained. But the both break up the outline of the braid nicely.
J Francho reply :
I use a leader to solve two issues, neither is related to visibility, and I don't use a leader all the time. Contact baits + zebe/quagga mussel infested water = sliced up braid, no matter the brand. When fishing lighter baits wth braid, I like a long leader of fluoro leader material, not reel fill, to get the bait down.
num3erz reply :
I'm a fishing newbie and just got my first baitcaster. Still practicing how to cast it so I have the free bass pro shops bulk line, but I'm going to switch to braided once I stop making a birds nest. My question is how long do you guys make your leaders? I saw some people saying they use 10'.
MMan16 reply :
Depends on situation. Anywhere from 0-10 max. In my opinion. I would say just use 5ft. Its a happy medium and it gives you room to make a few reties without comprimising leader length. Just make sure you practice your leader cnnection knot before you get on the water that's probably the most important thing.
MMan16 reply :
Also make sure you back your baitcaster before you spool the braid.
YakAttack reply :
I generally start out around 6ft for the leader. I tie on a new leader when I get around 3 to 4 feet left.
num3erz reply :
QuoteAlso make sure you back your baitcaster before you spool the braid.
What do you mean by this? I was just planning on doing an arbor knot and spooling the line on.
chromedog reply :
QuoteI have braid on 7 rods on my rod locker right now, and at least 4 of them have 10' flouro leaders.It completely depends on the type of presentation, water conditions, and the mood of the fish.
With reaction baits, fishing in thick weeds, or in murky water a dark color braid tied directly to the bait is fine but anyone who thinks they will get as many bites drop shotting or tossing bottom contact baits on straight braid without a leader in clear water with sparse or no cover is the kind of person I like to fish against in tournaments.
Sure you will still get fish throwing 100% straight braid but why not optimize your presentation?
X2
MMan16 reply :
Before you spool on whatever braid you use you need to put a layer of line (backing) on the spool then tie braid to it and spool the braid. Some people use tape its whatever your prefer.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
QuoteBefore you spool on whatever braid you use you need to put a layer of line (backing) on the spool then tie braid to it and spool the braid. Some people use tape its whatever your prefer.
Let me clarify this a little more for you Num3erz. Basically, you put a few yards of cheap mono on the empty spool. Then you tie the braid to that mono and wind the braid on. Your other option is to use some arbor tape. Basically all that is is some thin foam tape that you put on the empty spool so the braid has something to bite on.
If you don't, the braid will slip on the spool and you'll never hook a fish with it.
APK62 reply :
I only use a leader for two Applications, Drop Shot and if I am fishing on rocks. Otherwise its all braid.
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