Using leaders 2025

12poundbass reply :

I was watching the Bass Pros last night and Timmy Horton was drop shotting and was using braided main line then a 10' fluorocarbon leader. I understand not using braid for this, but why not just use fluoro and eliminate the braid all together? Did he do this simply because braid has no memory? I've also read/seen guys using a fluoro or mono leader with a braid main line for throwing frogs. In this instance they used a 65# main braid with a lighter leader. Is there an advantage to this? What are the advantages to using a leader other than possibly ease of use like in Hortons case? I know knots are strong especially the right one, but I look back to when I did plumbing and I learned the least amount of fitting the less the chance for a leak. Couldn't this apply to leaders?

Darren. reply :

Line management is the big thing for me with braided

mainline. No jumping off the spool and all that. The leader,

for me, is just the way I roll. I always tie a leader.

A big reason, again, for me, is that I may have to change

it once during an outing. As opposed to changing lures, or

tying new hooks on several times cutting in to the amount

of braided mainline I have on my reel. The leader saves

time with the mainline for me.

You also have abrasion resistance with some leader lines,

less visibility, and so on....

NHBull reply :

I know more and more guys using braid for everything and swapping out long leaders depending on situation....not a bad idea for the recreational guy, if you ask me

12poundbass reply :

On 1/31/2017 at 4:34 AM, NHBull said:

I know more and more guys using braid for everything and swapping out long leaders depending on situation....not a bad idea for the recreational guy, if you ask me

It makes sense for drop shotting. Fluorocarbon on spinning gear is a mess in my opinion.

BigSkyBasser reply :

Braid is incredibly limp with very little coil memory so it spools and casts really well on a spinning reel. It's also a static fishing line which offers some minor improvement to sensitivity and doesn't stretch so you can set hooks a little easier with it as well. I recently made the switch on my shaky-head and drop shot set ups and the difference is substantial in how they fish now.

Crestliner2008 reply :

I use braid for my main line because of it's sensitivity. I like the line management characteristics as well (no worrying about line twist and coiling). I use a shorter fluoro leader than Horton does because I've had success in doing so. My leaders are usually about 4' - 5' in length. The reason for the fluoro is for it's abrasion resistance and reduced visibility. Smallies lips are filled with tiny, very abrasive teeth. I usually switch out my pre-tied leaders after every 2 or 3 fish boated, even with the fluoro, just to be on the safe side.

RoweBoatRVA reply :

Just in the last two weeks I switched my spinning setups over to 'braid to flouro' and immediately notice the difference. Much more sensitive and being able to use a little heavier line gives me more confidence.

I originally questioned if it was necessary for success and it's not. But if you take the time to learn to tie the right knots and manage your line properly (check for wear) you will see the improvement.

RoLo reply :

I realize that buying into the "Braid-plus-Leader" camp would be taking the path-of-least-resistance.

But Lois & I have always been advocates of using 'braid only', in the total absence of a leader,

(our mainline IS our leader). Either we've been bucked insurmountable odds,

or the accepted stereotype may be due for a work-over

Roger

Scott F reply :

"Path of least resistance?" There is no reason not to fish what works for you. I don't use leaders, never have. I have never seen a need. Just because the majority uses leaders here doesn't mean that it's a requirement or you are doing it wrong if you don't use a leader.

MassYak85 reply :

You get better sensitivity with the braid mainline, better line management, and spooling up with straight fluoro might be more expensive depending on the brands. Plus if you decide you need to downsize/upsize your fluorocarbon on the fly for whatever reason you are trashing a 10 foot piece and not an entire spool of it.

flyingmonkie reply :

Here we go again! My favorite debate!

Gonna grab a beer... brb.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I use braid to a leader for dropshotting for the abrasion resistance, not that it does much good in zebra mussels, but it helps a little bit.

Using a leader for frog fishing sounds like a terrible idea.

Todd2 reply :

No leaders here but sometimes when I'm fishing somewhat clear water (which is rare) I do wonder if I'd get more bites with a leader. But if I'm not catching, I either move or change up something else (color, lure).

Just curious, for you leader guys, how often are you retying a leader on the mainline?

tander reply :

I really wanted to use fc on my spinning reels but I got tired of the loops and losing line. Once I learned to tie the Alberto knot, I was good to go with braid fc leader.

stevec328 reply :

I mostly kayak fish and always use braid with a leader on my spinning outfits. Main reason I use a leader is if I get hung up I can usually break off with the flouro a lot easier than with braid. If I get hung up deep with braid and no leader I usually wind up cutting the line at the kayak. Saves me a lot of main line.

portiabrat reply :

On 1/31/2017 at 2:18 PM, flyingmonkie said:

Here we go again! My favorite debate!

Gonna grab a beer... brb.

Guys who have never encountered zebra mussels or other sharp things say there's no need for a fluoro leader. Guys who have say otherwise.

To the OP: There are a couple of drop-shot specific reasons for using braid with a fluoro leader. First, the drop shot rig causes tons of line twist, so you can't just use straight fluoro. Second, when you drop shot, you often skin hook fish inside their mouths. The stretchiness of fluoro helps keep fish buttoned when your hook doesn't penetrate anything.

Turkey sandwich reply :

All of the above reasons for braid plus leader are spot on. The other reason I've switched my gear this way is that it allows for tremendous versatility. Instead of having extra rods and reels spooled dozens of ways, I tie my leaders for what I expect to encounter the night before and then keep another half dozen or so spools available on the water to adjust for whatever I might need that day. Sometimes mono is helpful for adding a little stretch or keeping you in a specific part of the water column, sometimes FC helps reduce visibility in fishing finesse presentations, and sometimes rocks, zebra mussels, and other nasty stuff calls for something like copolymer/Hybrid being d**n near indestructible. And combining them with the low stretch, easy management, and just general lifespan of braid helps put fish in the boat and keep money in your pocket.

RoweBoatRVA reply :

On 1/31/2017 at 9:37 PM, tander said:

I really wanted to use fc on my spinning reels but I got tired of the loops and losing line. Once I learned to tie the Alberto knot, I was good to go with braid fc leader.

@tander I was using the alberto and albright knots for joining lines. You should try the FG knot. I've started using it and I'm amazed how close it can be the the actual line diameter.

soflabasser reply :

I never use a leader when frog fishing and do quite well, at least in the places I fish. Do use mono leaders for braid for other presentations.

tander reply :

On 2/1/2017 at 8:17 AM, RoweBoatRVA said:

@tander I was using the alberto and albright knots for joining lines. You should try the FG knot. I've started using it and I'm amazed how close it can be the the actual line diameter.

I have tried tying the FG knot but haven't had much success. I guess I really need to just take some time and learn how to tie it.

Darren. reply :

On 1/31/2017 at 9:37 PM, tander said:

I really wanted to use fc on my spinning reels but I got tired of the loops and losing line. Once I learned to tie the Alberto knot, I was good to go with braid fc leader.

It is a great knot. If it works, no reason to change.

I switch between Mod'd Albright/Alberto and the

super simple uni-to-uni and have no problems even

going through micro guides.

I've tried the FG numerous times, practiced a lot and

it is simply not a knot I care to use. I have no issues

with well tied and lubricated knots mentioned above

that I need a long knot like the FG. Let alone having

to tie it while on the water in my kayak.

RoweBoatRVA reply :

On 2/1/2017 at 8:50 AM, Darren. said:

Let alone having

to tie it while on the water in my kayak.

@Darren. The FG is definitely not an easy knot to tie on the water.

Big Bait Fishing reply :

On 1/31/2017 at 8:10 PM, Todd2 said:

No leaders here but sometimes when I'm fishing somewhat clear water (which is rare) I do wonder if I'd get more bites with a leader. But if I'm not catching, I either move or change up something else (color, lure).

Just curious, for you leader guys, how often are you retying a leader on the mainline?

i tie a 12-15 ft. flouro leader to get the desired sinking of my plastics and to keep a bow out of the line for better slack line sensitivity , that 1 leader will usually last a few outings ...

WRB reply :

I believe 1knot is 100% better than 2 knots.

Tom

bigturtle reply :

I always tie a 15ft leader on my braid. Hate having to retie leaders when out on the water.

riverbasser reply :

I think this could be useful for some situations but I can't get ovee how the leader knot goes through micro guides easily.it seems after a day of fishing the knot would be severely weakend. I know Darren said it works and I have no reason not to believe him but for me its too much of a gamble to possibly lose a new PB.

IndianaFinesse reply :

First off, never use a leader on frogs. Anything besides straight, heavy braid will be broken. You need a very strong line with no stretch to set two big, thick frog hooks into a basses hard jaw, and then drag her out with five additional pounds of slop attached.

I do sometimes use a leader for other baits, but not always. If I do plan on using a leader, I'll tie a FG knot the night before. If I have to retie for some reason while on the water, I use the Alberto knot because it is so much faster and easier to tie than the FG.

Big Bait Fishing reply :

On 2/1/2017 at 12:28 PM, riverbasser said:

I think this could be useful for some situations but I can't get ovee how the leader knot goes through micro guides easily.it seems after a day of fishing the knot would be severely weakend. I know Darren said it works and I have no reason not to believe him but for me its too much of a gamble to possibly lose a new PB.

i have micro guides on all my rods ( casting , swimbait rod , & spinning rod ) tie a small knot and you'll be fine .

BigSkyBasser reply :

On 2/1/2017 at 12:57 PM, Big Bait Fishing said:

i have micro guides on all my rods ( casting , swimbait rod , & spinning rod ) tie a small knot and you'll be fine .

I too have micro guides and would second this statement all day. If you tie a clean knot the only difference you might notice is that you will feel the knot lightly hit your tip guide once you've reeled most all of your line in (depending on your leader size.)

riverbasser reply :

On 2/2/2017 at 6:18 AM, BigSkyBasser said:

I too have micro guides and would second this statement all day. If you tie a clean knot the only difference you might notice is that you will feel the knot lightly hit your tip guide once you've reeled most all of your line in (depending on your leader size.)

This is exactly what makes me feel it will be weakened. I don't know how many cast I make in a day of fishing but it seems like more than enough to hurt the knot constantly rubbing against the guides.

I can see this is my issue and may not hold any sand but you gotta do what makes you confident, even if I'm the only one lol

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