28 replies to this topic

[nwibass]

How long of a flouro leader should I tie on my braid, I have heard many different lengths, I was thinking an 8-10 ft leader.

[ChrisAW]

Depends on the use. With heavier line weights like 65# and 20# leader, I'll only tie a leader on thats as long as my rod. Only so when casting, the knot is not reeled up onto the spool and won't possibly rip the level wind apart because of the larger knot. Even if its unlikely to happen, I'd rather not be the first to experience a freak accident.

With something like 30# braid and 10# flouro, I make it as long as I feel like making it. these knots are small enough that I have no worries about getting caught on anything. They pass through even the smallest microguides easily. I don't have to retie it as often with all the lure changes with a longer leader.

[nwibass]

Depends on the use. With heavier line weights like 65# and 20# leader, I'll only tie a leader on thats as long as my rod. Only so when casting, the knot is not reeled up onto the spool and won't possibly rip the level wind apart because of the larger knot. Even if its unlikely to happen, I'd rather not be the first to experience a freak accident.

With something like 30# braid and 10# flouro, I make it as long as I feel like making it. these knots are small enough that I have no worries about getting caught on anything. They pass through even the smallest microguides easily. I don't have to retie it as often with all the lure changes with a longer leader.

I will be tying 30# braid to a 12# flouro leader I think it should pass through the guides with ease, if not I will just take the braid off and spool it all flouro. thanks

[dodgeguy]

you dont need a leader.forget the leader.

[slonezp]

I rarely exceed 4-5ft. Enough length to retie all day long if need be, not too long to interfere with the guides or reel.

dodgeguy, before you make a blanket statement like that, you should ask for more info. People use leaders for a variety of reasons. Some for visibility, some for easier breakability when the biat gets hung up and won't come out, some because braid has poor abrasion resistance, one nick and it's as good as lost. Flouro has high abrasion resistance, Some because flouro sinks.

[deep]

I rarely exceed 4-5ft. Enough length to retie all day long if need be, not too long to interfere with the guides or reel.

dodgeguy, before you make a blanket statement like that, you should ask for more info. People use leaders for a variety of reasons. Some for visibility, some for easier breakability when the biat gets hung up and won't come out, some because braid has poor abrasion resistance, one nick and it's as good as lost. Flouro has high abrasion resistance, Some because flouro sinks.

Great post.

Mono or copoly leader works well for me. No need for fluoro where I fish. As long as the connecting knot doesn't get into the reel, I'm good.

[weezy109]

I rarely exceed 4-5ft. Enough length to retie all day long if need be, not too long to interfere with the guides or reel.

dodgeguy, before you make a blanket statement like that, you should ask for more info. People use leaders for a variety of reasons. Some for visibility, some for easier breakability when the biat gets hung up and won't come out, some because braid has poor abrasion resistance, one nick and it's as good as lost. Flouro has high abrasion resistance, Some because flouro sinks.

Why bother with the braid in the first place? All of those things you mentioned can be fixed by simply not using braid, so why bother? What are the advantages i guess is my question, not really trying to argue, just learning more

[ChrisAW]

Why bother with the braid in the first place? All of those things you mentioned can be fixed by simply not using braid, so why bother? What are the advantages i guess is my question, not really trying to argue, just learning more

Personally, this is pretty much why all my rigs are straight flouro (or whatever) other than my heavy cover stuff. If I would just rather not have that knot, and run one solid line.

But basicly, the biggest advantage of braid is that its forgiving. It has no memory, and is very castable. A lot of people use it just for those reasons alone. The strength of the line is only necessary when fishing heavy cover, and the fact that is has no stretch allows one to really horse a fish from cover. But adding leaders basicly allows them to have the advantages of flouro. Invisibility, abrasion resistance, and the ability to break off if needed.

[weezy109]

Personally, this is pretty much why all my rigs are straight flouro (or whatever) other than my heavy cover stuff. If I would just rather not have that knot, and run one solid line.

But basicly, the biggest advantage of braid is that its forgiving. It has no memory, and is very castable. A lot of people use it just for those reasons alone. The strength of the line is only necessary when fishing heavy cover, and the fact that is has no stretch allows one to really horse a fish from cover. But adding leaders basicly allows them to have the advantages of flouro. Invisibility, abrasion resistance, and the ability to break off if needed.

I personally don't find braid any easier to cast than fluoro. I get why you would use straight braid but adding the leader negates the strength and the low stretch. Contrary to popular belief fluoro is not low stretch.

[ChrisAW]

I personally don't find braid any easier to cast than fluoro. I get why you would use straight braid but adding the leader negates the strength and the low stretch. Contrary to popular belief fluoro is not low stretch.

then you've been using a really junky braid or a dang good fluorocarbon!

Braid has zero memory, which means it won't spring off your reel and whatnot, and also isnt as effected by line twist.

[deep]

I personally don't find braid any easier to cast than fluoro. I get why you would use straight braid but adding the leader negates the strength and the low stretch. Contrary to popular belief fluoro is not low stretch.

Maybe sometimes one would actually want to negate the strength? It sure isn't fun trying to break off 50 lb braid when you get snagged, apart from the fact that you might damage your rod or reel.

About the stretch factor; a little stretch is actually beneficial (at least I find it beneficial), and the stretch in a 7 ft leader is obviously pretty low compared to that in 50 ft of line.

[weezy109]

Maybe sometimes one would actually want to negate the strength? It sure isn't fun trying to break off 50 lb braid when you get snagged, apart from the fact that you might damage your rod or reel.

About the stretch factor; a little stretch is actually beneficial (at least I find it beneficial), and the stretch in a 7 ft leader is obviously pretty low compared to that in 50 ft of line.

Well yeah you might want less strength but why bother with the braid in that case? In other words if you negate the strength then why use it in the first place? Basically what I am saying is braid is great for flipping but why would you use it for anything requiring a leader? Unless you just don't want to have to respool or something.

[deep]

Well yeah you might want less strength but why bother with the braid in that case? In other words if you negate the strength then why use it in the first place? Basically what I am saying is braid is great for flipping but why would you use it for anything requiring a leader? Unless you just don't want to have to respool or something.

See I don't flip, and hardly pitch. But braid is a must on my two jig rods. Just something that has worked for me.

I don't need the strength (30 lb on a spinning rig, 50 lb on a casting rig). For all I care, it could break at 8 lbs and 14 lbs respectively. What I need is the very low stretch, and the floating quality (line-watcher here). The castability of braid is a plus point too, but not a deal-breaker either way.

Once again, it's just something that works for me.

[nwibass]

Why bother with the braid in the first place? All of those things you mentioned can be fixed by simply not using braid, so why bother? What are the advantages i guess is my question, not really trying to argue, just learning more

much more sensitive and never gains memory, lasts forever compared to flour and mono lines

[weezy109]

much more sensitive and never gains memory, lasts forever compared to flour and mono lines

Not if you fish rocks or trees it don't, it frays like crazy, so does fluoro for that matter though its tougher than braid (abrasion wise). I also think it would be much easier to line watch with a straighter link to the lure, otherwise you have a big loop that has to get taken up before you notice the line moving. I can get down with straight braid for whatever you want but i'm sayin why use the leader? People are giving the advantages of fluoro but then why not just use fluoro, the leader negates the braids strength and low stretch imo so it is redundant.