Using A Leader 2024
LuckyGia reply :
I read a lot of information. Some I use, some I don't.
I am curious about the use of a leader when you have a spool full of braid.
I see people are using Flourocarbon leaders to hide the line from the fish.
I have to say that I have been fishing for over 40 years. And I have never had to hide my line from the fish. I believe that if you land that lure in front of that bass, they don't care if you have exposed braid.
Am I missing a big picture here ?
Scott F reply :
No, I don't think you are.
FishTank reply :
So the line in is invisible and maybe because FC sinks and braid floats. For me, I use a leader occasionally but otherwise when I use braid for it's intended purpose, I use straight braid, no leader.
ABW reply :
I use a leader to absorb shock, and to break off without losing too much line.
LuckyGia reply :
I understand the ideas behind using one. I guess I always felt that the knot is the weakest link in the chain. I don't want to add more weak links.
And I am sure you could say you could coax a stubborn bass while using one.
I still don't do it.
iabass8 reply :
Here's what I found in a quick search. Enjoy.
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/124512-best-knot-for-braid-to-fluoro-leader/?hl=%2Bfluoro+%2Bleader
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130145-dropshot-braid-with-leader-or-straight-fluoro/?hl=%2Bfluoro+%2Bleader
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/142583-flippin-a-jig-braid-fluoro-braid-fluoro-leader/?hl=%2Bfluoro+%2Bleader
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/144492-shakyhead-setup-braid-fluoro-leader-or-straight-fluoro/?hl=%2Bfluoro+%2Bleader
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/156381-knot-that-works-mono-fluoro-leader-to-braid/?hl=%2Bfluoro+%2Bleader
corn-on-the-rob reply :
Hiding the line from the fish is an added bonus to the main reasons I use a leader.
1. Abrasion resistance. Rocks eat up braid like a hot knife through butter.
2. I can break off intentionally at the leader with out losing braid.
So I get all of the benefits of the braid with out the negatives, and likewise for fluoro.
But I will say that believing line visibility never matters is an extreme oversight. It may not matter some of the time, perhaps even most of the time, but there are certainly times when choice of line visibility can absolutely make or break a day.
corn-on-the-rob reply :
On 5/7/2015 at 7:48 AM, LuckyGia said:I understand the ideas behind using one. I guess I always felt that the knot is the weakest link in the chain. I don't want to add more weak links.
And I am sure you could say you could coax a stubborn bass while using one.
I still don't do it.
This just goes back to the most influential thing in fishing: confidence. Which makes it understandable.
My leader never breaks at the knot, always between the lure and the knot. Over the last year of using this set up I have the utmost confidence in it. Really the only down side to me is having to take the 35 seconds to tie a new leader when necessary. I have had days on lake Erie where I caught over 40 drum (I kept track) on a 12 lb leader with out retying with the smallest being no less than 3lb, most in the 6lb to 10lb range and a few pushing 15lb. I wouldn't change the leader in a bass tournament unless it has gotten too short or if it is nicked up. Also brought in a close to 40lb catfish on the Potomac on a 12lb leader with out fear of failure. (lol I was more worried about my medium powered rod than the knot)
If you use the right tools for the job and use them correctly, the leader is not even a remote concern.
jbsoonerfan reply :
Winner, winner, chicken dinner. I don't use a leader because I think braid scares fish, but for these reasons.On 5/7/2015 at 9:22 AM, corn-on-the-rob said:Hiding the line from the fish is an added bonus to the main reasons I use a leader.
1. Abrasion resistance. Rocks eat up braid like a hot knife through butter.
2. I can break off intentionally at the leader with out losing braid.
So I get all of the benefits of the braid with out the negatives, and likewise for fluoro.
But I will say that believing line visibility never matters is an extreme oversight. It may not matter some of the time, perhaps even most of the time, but there are certainly times when choice of line visibility can absolutely make or break a day.
Darren. reply :
On 5/7/2015 at 7:48 AM, LuckyGia said:I understand the ideas behind using one. I guess I always felt that the knot is the weakest link in the chain. I don't want to add more weak links.
And I am sure you could say you could coax a stubborn bass while using one.
I still don't do it.
A properly/carefully tied leader knot is not
as weak a link as you might think. I have
100% confidence in the knots I tie, rarely
ever break at the knot, it is either the leader
breaking or the braid.
Biggest advantage for me is saving of pricey
braid by using a leader. My leaders usually
last a while, going from long to short where
all those reties using braid only would have
shortened my mainline more quickly.
Pulled a fat 5.5 pounder out of thick slop this
past weekend. One of the hardest fighting bass
I've ever caught, to be honest. She pulled and
pulled and came up with a pound of extra grass
no problemo.
everythingthatswims reply :
I had one day that made me decide to always use leader with braid. I was fishing a pond while on vacation in SC, and the fish were mainly pre spawn feeding pretty heavy. I was throwing a senko on a spinning rod, 10lb braid to 10lb fluoro. Almost every cast was producing a fish, so when I broke off my leader I said heck with it I will go with straight braid, the bite is hot enough that it won't change anything. Went 20 mins without a bite, put a leader back on and continued catching. Never moved my feet.
Just recently in a tournament on Anna, my partner and I were on a solid drop shot bite. I was fishing braid with 8lb *clear* mono as a leader, and he had 8lb "clear/blue" mono with no leader. I was getting tons of bites and he wasn't doing much, as soon as I put a leader on for him he started catching. Leaders definitely make a difference. Even if 9 out of 10 bass will eat a bait without a leader on it, I don't want the braid to be a barrier between me and a bite I could be getting.
hatrix reply :
A leader is a life saver when you get hung up and that is a big reason I use one. Also braid lasts for so long then I could change baits a million times and hardly eat up and braid since it was all leader. Although it can be nice to run straight braid with lures you can bend the hooks out. I tie a uni to uni and have no concerns about it being a weak point. Every time I need to pop a leader I get only braid back with no knot and I think it is the braid that breaks not the leader.
SirSnookalot reply :
In addition getting a treble untangled with braid can be very time consuming.On 5/7/2015 at 7:25 AM, ABW said:I use a leader to absorb shock, and to break off without losing too much line.
nolantitleist reply :
I use a leader occasionally but every time I do I feel like I spend more time worrying if my leader is getting nicks in it and worrying when I am going to break off a big bass than I actually do fishing. I am still experimenting with wether or not I like to use a leader. At this point I do feel like fish tend to bite more often and bigger fish for that matter when I am using a leader. But I do feel more confident when I am using just straight braid than when I am using a leader.
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 5/7/2015 at 9:41 PM, nolantitleist said:I use a leader occasionally but every time I do I feel like I spend more time worrying if my leader is getting nicks in it and worrying when I am going to break off a big bass than I actually do fishing. I am still experimenting with wether or not I like to use a leader. At this point I do feel like fish tend to bite more often and bigger fish for that matter when I am using a leader. But I do feel more confident when I am using just straight braid than when I am using a leader.
Wait, you worry if your leader is getting a nick in it, but you don't worry if your braid is? I am much more worried about my braid when fishing cover as opposed to my leader.
HoosierHawgs reply :
I do have a question. I'm fishing big 10 in worms on 50# braid w/14# fluoro leader on a Lightning Rod Shock (7' MH). I'm thinking about straight fluoro, but I worried it will be expensive, unmanageable, and that the Shock's soft tip would not be sensitive enough with fluoro.. Thoughts?
J Francho reply :
Personally, if your going to go straight anything for Texas rigs, I'd go with braid or a really tough copoly over any fluorocarbon line. If your talking braid with a leader, I use copoly or fluoro leader material, not reel fill line.
corn-on-the-rob reply :
On 5/7/2015 at 9:41 PM, nolantitleist said:I use a leader occasionally but every time I do I feel like I spend more time worrying if my leader is getting nicks in it and worrying when I am going to break off a big bass than I actually do fishing. I am still experimenting with wether or not I like to use a leader. At this point I do feel like fish tend to bite more often and bigger fish for that matter when I am using a leader. But I do feel more confident when I am using just straight braid than when I am using a leader.
Like jb said, regardless of what line is at the end of your setup you should be diligently checking for nicks and any signs of potential failure. Heck if I saw a nick in FC and a nick in braid, the braid nick would scare me more.
On 5/8/2015 at 1:25 AM, jakob1010 said:I do have a question. I'm fishing big 10 in worms on 50# braid w/14# fluoro leader on a Lightning Rod Shock (7' MH). I'm thinking about straight fluoro, but I worried it will be expensive, unmanageable, and that the Shock's soft tip would not be sensitive enough with fluoro.. Thoughts?
Are you not satisfied with the braid/FC set up? What prompted the desire to change?
HoosierHawgs reply :
Really just me wondering if one would be better than the other. Other than the need to tie leaders, which I still need practice with,and the need to purchase a quality pair of scissors, there haven't been any real problems.On 5/8/2015 at 2:22 AM, corn-on-the-rob said:Like jb said, regardless of what line is at the end of your setup you should be diligently checking for nicks and any signs of potential failure. Heck if I saw a nick in FC and a nick in braid, the braid nick would scare me more.
Are you not satisfied with the braid/FC set up? What prompted the desire to change?
nolantitleist reply :
On 5/7/2015 at 9:57 PM, jbsoonerfan said:Wait, you worry if your leader is getting a nick in it, but you don't worry if your braid is? I am much more worried about my braid when fishing cover as opposed to my leader.
On 5/8/2015 at 2:22 AM, corn-on-the-rob said:Like jb said, regardless of what line is at the end of your setup you should be diligently checking for nicks and any signs of potential failure. Heck if I saw a nick in FC and a nick in braid, the braid nick would scare me more.
Are you not satisfied with the braid/FC set up? What prompted the desire to change?
I don't know what kind of braid you guys use or what poundage but for me personally braid seems to be way more durable. Braid seems to be invincible when I compare it to fluoro.
J Francho reply :
It's not what, it's where. Up here zebra mussels will slice your braid, where as single filament lines perform better.
kcdinkerz reply :
I always use a leader unless in fishing heavy slope or veg. Once you get the knot down it only takes a minute to tie
corn-on-the-rob reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 2:40 AM, nolantitleist said:I don't know what kind of braid you guys use or what poundage but for me personally braid seems to be way more durable. Braid seems to be invincible when I compare it to fluoro.
Right on, and for the most part braid is very durable, but zebra muscles and sharp rock eat it for breakfast, no matter the brand.
Wayne P. reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 7:31 AM, corn-on-the-rob said:Right on, and for the most part braid is very durable, but zebra muscles and sharp rock eat it for breakfast, no matter the brand.
Same for tidal waters and barnacles.
HoosierHawgs reply :
New question.... Sorry for all of these! But anyways, would you fish NanoFil without a leader, or with one?
J Francho reply :
Tried it. Wouldn't use it at all again. Not for me.
Wayne P. reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 9:19 AM, J Francho said:Tried it. Wouldn't use it at all again. Not for me.
Me neither--"been there done that"
Team9nine reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 9:19 AM, J Francho said:Tried it. Wouldn't use it at all again. Not for me.
On 5/8/2015 at 10:35 AM, Wayne P. said:Me neither--"been there done that"
And mine makes the third strike - it's outta' here...but I did give it a more than fair shot, using it almost exclusively for a year and a half. In the end, the few negatives simply outweighed all the positives.
-T9
J Francho reply :
Oh man, a year and a half? I didn't make it a month. It's not terrible, it just doesn't fit my program, and I just didn't like the way it felt. That probably makes no sense to someone that likes it.
SirSnookalot reply :
Braid is not the most durable, I just deal with it as it's my line of choice. My braid gets chewed up more from shore fishing, the brush along the banks rough it up pretty good. Some beaches are loaded with rocks and coral reefs, the cement pylons on bridges is rough as well, then barnacles on top of that. I go thru what I think is a lot of braid, for durability I don't find one braid is better than another.
Felix77 reply :
In my experiences you just cannot ignore the fact that a fluoro leader will get more bites ... two very specific examples come to mind over the past few years ...
1 - Smallmouth at Rouses Point two years ago. I was fishing straight braid with a fluke. My boater was using fluoro. As we progressed through the day we talked about the differences in our setups. Even after matching everything except the line he was getting bit and I wasn't. Switched up by adding a leader and guess who began getting bit. We were in an open flat so they could have been anywhere. Water was very clear FWIW.
2 - Largemouth in Toledo Bend a few months ago. Bert and I were fishing in what I would consider stained water. Braid wouldn't make a difference would it? The exact same thing happened. Switched everything bit by bit with line being the last thing I changed. Action started almost immediately.
Does it make a difference all the time ... NO. I flip and pitch straight braid with zero issues. But I would never overlook using a leader.
With finesse I use a FC leader 100% of the time.
Team9nine reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 11:01 AM, J Francho said:Oh man, a year and a half? I didn't make it a month. It's not terrible, it just doesn't fit my program, and I just didn't like the way it felt. That probably makes no sense to someone that likes it.
I really liked the stuff when it first came out. The feel (through the line/rod) was better than normal braid in my opinion, it casted better/farther than normal braid, it handled great, and they even made it in that awesome chartreuse color after the first year. I really liked its positive attributes, figured out knots that wouldn't slip with it, etc., but in the end, the overall knot strength, either direct or with a leader, was just a killer for the way I fish. I really wanted to like it. Can't say I didn't give it a fair shot though 
-T9
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 10:57 PM, Team9nine said:I really liked the stuff when it first came out. The feel (through the line/rod) was better than normal braid in my opinion, it casted better/farther than normal braid, it handled great, and they even made it in that awesome chartreuse color after the first year. I really liked its positive attributes, figured out knots that wouldn't slip with it, etc., but in the end, the overall knot strength, either direct or with a leader, was just a killer for the way I fish. I really wanted to like it. Can't say I didn't give it a fair shot though
-T9
What knot's where you using? I kinda think braid feels weird myself.... Been a mono guy myself for a while.
J Francho reply :
Off topic posts have been removed.
Team9nine reply :
On 5/8/2015 at 11:03 PM, jakob1010 said:What knot's where you using? I kinda think braid feels weird myself.... Been a mono guy myself for a while.
Regular knots won't hold with this line. I tried both a clinch as well as an improved clinch and both slipped easily under pressure. It did seem like a Palomar would hold, and their recommended 'NanoFil knot', which is actually a double Palomar might be good reassurance. For straight ties to lures though, I actually liked a double-line 5 turn uni knot best.
For line-to-leader knots, I tested a few.
• Triple Surgeon
• Uni-Uni
• Seguar knot
• Alberto
• Double-line Albright (~11 turns); Berkley Recommended
• J-knot
The first two were horrible; the next two were OK, but would cut themselves with a bit more pressure; but the last two are the best! Use either a J-knot, their recommended 11-turn double Albright, or perhaps a modified Albright (Crazy Alberto) with extra wraps (since so many people like it). Whatever you use, be certain to test knots well before using. I pretty much settled on the J-knot, and it was solid.
One word of caution - the key is to tie a good clean knot. This line does not like to be crossed over itself under strain. Test all leader knots with an appropriate tug before fishing to make sure everything seated down correctly.
One final comment. I also checked a loop knot with this line. There are several versions of loop knots, but I quickly tested a triple surgeons loop on a crappie jig and found that it broke too easily to be recommended. Again, I think it is in the way the line crosses itself with certain knots. Take your time, cinch everything down slowly and with lubrication, and then check the knot under strain before using.
I might revisit this line again this year in slightly higher pound tests, perhaps 6# or more likely 8#. We'll see. It does have some great properties, and a friend has been using it with success in the 10# version. I like going much lighter usually.
-T9
LuckyGia reply :
Huh, I left the topic alone for a while out of frustration of feeling like a idiot for bringing it up. Looks like it wasn't such a bad question after all.
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