Leader question 2025
pauldconyers reply :
Had a quick question about using a leader. Do you use some spare FC or mono (that somewhat matches both line diameters) or do you use line that is specifically labeled as leader line?
Michigander reply :
Both. The leader specific stuff is a more pure fluorocarbon than the regular stuff, with the most pure going to fly tippetts. However, I also keep normal FC spools for making leaders to save money because of how many I go through in a year. Really, I make my decision based on what properties of the leader line I want.
islandbass reply :
Use the spare line you have. Once you cut it to size, it magically becomes leader material. Really, lol.
Michigander pretty much laid it out as why one might consider buying leader material. Someone ought to see if price per length is the same, cheaper or more expensive of a line sold as a filler spool and leader spool. Hmmm. Such a though only crosses the mind of someone who lives where winter shuts bass fishing down.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I use spare line, usually save spools that don't have enough left to spool another reel up. I should probably try some leader material to see how it holds up to zebra mussels though.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Anybody use Yo-Zuri Hybrid for leader material?
Mbirdsley reply :
My leaders come off the same spool of line that I use to spool my reels. Only time I buy line for leaders is when I buy a full spool (150-300 yds) of stren flouro. Making Leaders is the only thing that I have found stren useful for.
waymont reply :
Your leader material should be of a higher diameter than your braided line diameter for best knot strength when using the FG knot. Not sure what you tie, but regardless of material (mono or fluoro), both work equally as well.
Boomstick reply :
On 2/16/2020 at 4:49 AM, pauldconyers said:Had a quick question about using a leader. Do you use some spare FC or mono (that somewhat matches both line diameters) or do you use line that is specifically labeled as leader line?
I do both. I use Seaguar blue label frequently, but I currently have enough extra line that I've been using that.
On 2/16/2020 at 2:35 PM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Anybody use Yo-Zuri Hybrid for leader material?
I have before, although not regularly.
FryDog62 reply :
On 2/16/2020 at 2:35 PM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Anybody use Yo-Zuri Hybrid for leader material?
A lot. Whenever I need a really strong leader line for flipping (12 lb) or abrasion resistance (8-10 lb) when skipping under docks I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
I think I'm gonna order some and use 10lb Yo-zuri leader. Never know till you try right?
Team9nine reply :
Just spare spools of line here, not leader specific line. Could see where certain specific situations might lend themselves to leader line, but most everything I fish around here doesn’t. Saves you lots of money, too.
ckherring92 reply :
I've always used leftovers from other flouro spools I've had from mainline. Never messed around with the dedicated "leader" material as it is awfully pricey for what i feel is likely the same material.
As far as diameter goes. I don't put to much stock in it, i primary base it off approx lb test that i want for whatever application I'm doing. For example I have a UL setup with 8lb braid and 6lb flouro. Or another I have 12lb braid to 10lb flouro
Ideally my leader line is the week point. That way if I break on a long cast it's only a few feet instead of 30
Born 2 fish reply :
On 2/16/2020 at 2:35 PM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Anybody use Yo-Zuri Hybrid for leader material?
Yes all the time on my spinning rod I use with jerkbaits.
soflabasser reply :
Berkley big game mono is a good line for a leader. It has very good abrasion resistance and is cheap so you can replace it often.
MickD reply :
I mostly use FC, mono for surface when I need a leader, and I use leader material or fly tippet. Leader material is stiffer than line, and I believe more resistant to damage, although that is debatable. One thing for sure is that the stiffness is an advantage when fishing blade baits as it helps prevent the leader from tangling with the hooks. It also sinks (mono is about neutral buoyancy while FC's density is higher than water, about 1.5) so makes sense for bottom finesse techniques.
Jermination reply :
if you havent used fc leader line, just do it. pline shinsei is the best stuff i've used, once i started using it my breakoffs & bad spot reties went down to virtually zero. just ask @TnRiver46 about some of the massive logs i reeled in last sunday
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/18/2020 at 10:27 PM, Jermination said:if you havent used fc leader line, just do it. pline shinsei is the best stuff i've used, once i started using it my breakoffs & bad spot reties went down to virtually zero. just ask @TnRiver46 about some of the massive logs i reeled in last sunday
Logs and he reeled in a floating dock by the steel cable ! It was no match for the Fluoro and fairy wand
Jermination reply :
On 2/18/2020 at 10:58 PM, TnRiver46 said:Logs and he reeled in a floating dock by the steel cable ! It was no match for the Fluoro and fairy wand
ugh i was going to leave the 2nd part of that out, no need to bring up the dock winch LOL
J Francho reply :
When I can, I use Seaguar Blue Label Leader.
WRB reply :
No reason to use leaders for bass because they are not line shy fish or microscopic sight feeders like trout. Leaders are mainly used for bass to give the angler confidence or used as a weaker link to break off when snagged. Some anglers believe FC or mono gives them a shock absorber and stretches, your rod is the shock absorber and reel drag prevents high impact pulling forces, not you leader. FC is less abrasion resistant then premium mono like Big Game or Ultra Green.
If buying confidence is your goal use Sunline FC100 leader material, otherwise use whatever left over FC or mono of choice.
I never use leaders for bass, always tie 1 knot direct to my lures or snaps.
Tom
PS, leader are made from pure FC? 100% FC is pure FC.
Jermination reply :
On 2/19/2020 at 12:46 AM, WRB said:No reason to use leaders for bass because they are not line shy fish or microscopic sight feeders like trout. Leaders are mainly used for bass to give the angler confidence or used as a weaker link to break off when snagged. Some anglers believe FC or mono gives them a shock absorber and stretches, your rod is the shock absorber and reel drag prevents high impact pulling forces, not you leader. FC is less abrasion resistant then premium mono like Big Game or Ultra Green.
If buying confidence is your goal use Sunline FC100 leader material, otherwise use whatever left over FC or mono of choice.
I never use leaders for bass, always tie 1 knot direct to my lures or snaps.
Tom
PS, leader are made from pure FC? 100% FC is pure FC.
I completely disagree with everything about fish not being line shy. I have taken guys out before using the exact same shaky head & worm, one tied directly to braid, the other to a FC leader and the leader setup outfished the direct braid tie 4:1. I've tried this 3-4 times and it is always the same result.
WRB reply :
Braid with a leader using spinning reels reduces line twist, forgot to include that.
If you are using 8 lb test braid tied direct to a shaky head jig/worm rig vs 8 lb test mono/FC/Copoly line direct it performs equally if you can keep in contact with the lure to detect strikes. Braid requires nearly tight line with minimum slack to detect strikes where mono/FC/Copoly line controlled slack is a lot easier for strike detection watching line movements. Braid floats when when slack lined and difficult to see line movements. To improve braid line movement detection anglers have learned to highly visible line colors.
Tom
Jermination reply :
On 2/19/2020 at 1:57 AM, WRB said:Braid with a leader using spinning reels reduces line twist, forgot to include that.
If you are using 8 lb test braid tied direct to a shaky head jig/worm rig vs 8 lb test mono/FC/Copoly line direct it performs equally if you can keep in contact with the lure to detect strikes. Braid requires nearly tight line with minimum slack to detect strikes where mono/FC/Copoly line controlled slack is a lot easier for strike detection watching line movements. Braid floats when when slack lined and difficult to see line movements. To improve braid line movement detection anglers have learned to highly visible line colors.
Tom
we will agree to disagree. They will perform equally, but they do not produce results equally. Maybe it's just east TN where everyone i know has a bass boat and fishes. I have no problem detecting strikes on any of the line, and typically fish them on slack line. It's a visual matter. If i can see the line in the water beside the boat, you can darn well bet the fish can see it. I'm yet to see a pro throw 65 lb braid on any of the clear lakes in this area
NHBull reply :
On 2/19/2020 at 2:48 AM, Jermination said:we will agree to disagree. They will perform equally, but they do not produce results equally. Maybe it's just east TN where everyone i know has a bass boat and fishes. I have no problem detecting strikes on any of the line, and typically fish them on slack line. It's a visual matter. If i can see the line in the water beside the boat, you can darn well bet the fish can see it. I'm yet to see a pro throw 65 lb braid on any of the clear lakes in this area
That also implies that if fish see it, they have the ability to process that information which I believe is a bridge to far. I believe John Mark Warren addressed something lime that in his book Destroying Bass Fishing Myths
Jermination reply :
On 2/19/2020 at 3:08 AM, NHBull said:That also implies that if fish see it, they have the ability to process that information which I believe is a bridge to far. I believe John Mark Warren addressed something lime that in his book Destroying Bass Fishing Myths
screw myths. if they see it and it looks unnatural they are less likely to instinctively eat it.
WRB reply :
I will garantee that FC line the same diameter as mono will have weaker knot strength. Using braid with leader requires 2 knots that can and will fail at critical times.
I use straight FC but not for the low refraction qualities, I prefer the low coeffient of drag that increases bottom contact lure feedback. Using FC line to me is like holding a rattle snake never knowing when it will bite me.
I use 5 lb Max UG Copoly line for all my finesse presentations with a few exceptions presentations when I use 7 lb FC for nail weight (Neko) worms and verticle drop shot, both without braid.
Average bass is over 3 lbs, with a few DD each year. Big bass on light line everything must be right. My 5 PB were caught using straight 10 lb and 12 lb mono on jigs casting over 100'. Mono line stretch is another myth permanently etched into bass anglers.
You believe what you believe.
Tom
Jermination reply :
On 2/19/2020 at 5:49 AM, WRB said:I will garantee that FC line the same diameter as mono will have weaker knot strength. Using braid with leader requires 2 knots that can and will fail at critical times.
I use straight FC but not for the low refraction qualities, I prefer the low coeffient of drag that increases bottom contact lure feedback. Using FC line to me is like holding a rattle snake never knowing when it will bite me.
I use 5 lb Max UG Copoly line for all my finesse presentations with a few exceptions presentations when I use 7 lb FC for nail weight (Neko) worms and verticle drop shot, both without braid.
Average bass is over 3 lbs, with a few DD each year. Big bass on light line everything must be right. My 5 PB were caught using straight 10 lb and 12 lb mono on jigs casting over 100'. Mono line stretch is another myth permanently etched into bass anglers.
You believe what you believe.
Tom
I feel like we are having two different conversations here. I was referring tying braid to a fluorocarbon leader vs straight braid to the lure. I never tie mono as a leader, however I do have it stringed up on a couple spinning reels to throw Shad raps and such. My point was do not tie straight braid to your lure if visibility is >2ft. I absolutely agree to tie mono straight to your lure leaderless
WRB reply :
I can't see why anyone would use FC as a leader due to it's poor knot strength when mono has superior knot strength.
No reason not to use straight braid in heavy cover with visiblity over 2'. The vast majority of heavy cover provides good water clarity under it.
Tom
Jermination reply :
On 2/19/2020 at 8:00 AM, WRB said:I can't see why anyone would use FC as a leader due to it's poor knot strength when mono has superior knot strength.
No reason not to use straight braid in heavy cover with visiblity over 2'. The vast majority of heavy cover provides good water clarity under it.
Tom
Because the fish here are heavily pressured. FC is less visible in clear water situations. FC is more sensitive and abrasive resistant. Braid is easier to manage on a spinning reel. I feel like fluorocarbon is less visible, more sensitive, and more durable which is what I am looking for while finesse fishing. The only time I use straight braid are in situations like the picture below. I would gladly partake in a finesse numbers game on a clear lake with one person using direct braid while the other using a fc leader. The person with the leader will outfish the direct line tie 4:1 EASILY
Mr.C in Texas reply :
FC leader is typically larger in diameter, stiffer and more abrasion resistant. I use braid on all my spinning/casting/surf setups and change the FC or mono leader based in the situation. I have not had an issue with my connection knot being the failure spot (FG or Albright). Due to lack of abrasion resistance, there is no way I would fish straight braid over oysters/shells/rocks. Muddy water with a soft bottom and sticks I fish braid only. There is good data showing FC main line and mono almost have the same amount of stretch. It depends on the brand and line diameter. There is also some compelling info showing FC may not be more abrasion resistant.
BiteArray reply :
I typically buy smaller spools of fluorocarbon for leaders.
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