I have my mind set on the duckett micro magic 7' ML spinning rod and shimano stradic reel. My question is will a 2 or 3 foot leader work ok instead of a 7 or 8 foot leader? im pretty sure the knot will not go through the micro guides. i want to use this rod exclusively for drop shotting.

Why don't you go with 1/3 flouro on top? This would ensure your joining knot is out of the casting equation. This or pure flouro which is kind of a waste. This is how I roll, roll the line on my spool, lol.

depending on how much you retie 2-3' leader is going to probably be too short. you shouldn't have a problem using an albright knot to join your two lines. the albright is one of the smallest if not the smallest knot to join 2 lines together.

you said your dropshotting i think you're better off just going straight mono or fluoro. you don't need braid for that kind of fishing

Don't know what size micros are used on the Duckett rods but I use 10/2 powerpro with a 6# or 8# leader on my dropshot rods that are built with 3.5mm and 4mm Fuji's. You can hear the knot ticking through the guides, but it passes with no problems. A 2'-3' leader is way too short for dropshotting. One break-off or re-tie and you have to tie on a new leader. I use 15'-18' on my leaders. never have to tie a new one all day.

On 8/25/2012 at 0:32 AM, canyouheminow said:

I have my mind set on the duckett micro magic 7' ML spinning rod and shimano stradic reel. My question is will a 2 or 3 foot leader work ok instead of a 7 or 8 foot leader? im pretty sure the knot will not go through the micro guides. i want to use this rod exclusively for drop shotting.

If you are using it exclusively for drop shotting I would not use braid. If you are set on it, like others have mentioned the improved albright not tied correctly and snipped well will be hardly even noticeable even through micro-guides. If you tie a very short leader you may have to retie the union knot when it gets too short. That can be a nuisance.

I use an alberto knot and have no problems with the knot going through the guides. I have never had that knot fail and I use the braid>flouro on all my rods.

Thanks for the help guys. The ducketts have the smallest eyes I have seen. And I'm gonna see if I can get this albright knot right. I'm trying to keep the light as light as possible. Will 20lb power pro be too much or should I go smaller?

I run 15# pound on my spinning rod. Its a 7' Medium. With appox 15-20 pound break strength. 15 is like 4 pound mono. Not sure about 20 but it cant be any larger than 6 pound mono. Id say it will be fine. I really wouldn't go any higher then 20 though.