I've never used braid but thinking about picking some up soon. So please excuse me for braid newbie question here. I am a bit puzzled with the idea of using the leader.

I am going to use 50 lb braid for heavy vegetation so that I can yank the fish out quick. Now if I use a leader of say, 15 lb fluorocarbon, it sounds to me that kills the whole purpose of going 50 lbs in the first place. The whole set up is only as strong as the 15 lb leader. Might as well forget about the braid and use 15 lb fluoro all the way through.

Please tell me what I am missing.

Thanks!

heavy vegetation... why do you need a leader?

oe

You're not missing anything.

Straight Braid for dense cover - except rocks or zebra mussels -

Braid w/appropriate leader for less cover or more of an open water environment.

A-Jay

Straight braid buddy. No need for a leader unless you are in clear water, and if you are, you really dont need braid. Tie it staright to the lure, no problem.

I agree with all the above.

I fish straight braid in heavy grass.

I will put a leader on my spinning gear for smallies (15# braid to 8-10# leader)

Lately with the blue bird sky and crystal clear water I have been throwing 12# Yo-Zuri and finessing largemouth out of the pads/grass tho.

Straight braid in the weeds.

Mono or fluoro leader for everything else.

I have given straight fluoro a real shot in the last six months.

Not for me. Whatever you hardliners have to handle it, I ain't got it.

As it turns out I don't need it either.

Thanks guys for your quick responses. This site is amazing!

So it sounds like the reason for using leader is basically because you are braid guy (gal) and would like to use braid no matter where you fish or your reel is already spooled with braid and no intention of re-spooling it, so in the clear water situation, you just add some leader to it. You are not really going after the braid's strength in this situation.

_{Bingo. Other reasons people use leaders are.}

_{Abrasion resistance}

_{Doesnt wrap around trebles as easily}

_{You CAN break it if your hung. Trying to break 65lb braid isnt easy lol.}

_{It saves line (one of my personal reasons)}