I have not used braided line before and decided to give it a try. I've went with a flouro leader as well. In tying them together, I believe I did it correctly as per multiple videos however one question I have is how it goes through the guides on my rod. I've got the microguides and the knot seems to not go through the guides as easily as I think they should. Is this normal and should I ignore it or despite my thoughts I may have tied the knot incorrectly?

 

Thanks for your help.

Depending on how "micro" your guides are, there may not be sufficient space to allow your joining knot to pass smoothly  / freely. 

 

You will usually hear and feel the know passing through any guides, both on the cast and the retrieve,  micro or not.

 

If your reel is not back-lashing and is casting correctly, you should be all set.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

trash  the leader.go all braid.

What size and brand of braid and FC line are trying to join?

I believe Tuf-Line makes a hollow core spliciable braid that you can run the FC leader inside and super glue it after thread wrapping the splice. This will eliminate the knot.

Tom

if your water isn't extremely clear, just go all braid. If you have to use a leader, just use a 2 foot or so leader, and just don't reel all the way up to the knot. For me, I usually use a 2 foot leader, my knot never gets into my eyes of the rod. I never reel my lure all the way up to my rod tip, I always have at least a 2 foot distance between my lure and rod tip before I make a cast. I know a lot of guys who only use a 1 foot leader or less. My main body of water is extremely clear water (20+ ft visibility) and a leader is a must on braid. But on lakes where water isn't as clear, I have no problem going straight braid.

mtaag, I have the same issue.  Using 30 lb or 50 lb Power Pro and 12 or 15 lb fleuro leader with a uni to uni knot (carefully tied) the line flow is problematic.  For now, I have moved away from using this line combo on my Veritas and Falcon micro guide rods.  On other rods I either use a very short leader or no leader at all.  Look forward to hearing from other members on this. 

what,ryneb said

dont reel the joining knot into the rod if you can help it

Dumb question, can I use just a cinch knot if I went braid straight to lure?

or a palomar knot

You can go straight braid, or use a smaller diameter braid + smaller diameter leader to flow thru your micro guides.

We've all got opinions here. Mine is to use a leader, it saves me money in the long run...

I have not used braided line before and decided to give it a try. I've went with a flouro leader as well. In tying them together, I believe I did it correctly as per multiple videos however one question I have is how it goes through the guides on my rod. I've got the microguides and the knot seems to not go through the guides as easily as I think they should. Is this normal and should I ignore it or despite my thoughts I may have tied the knot incorrectly?

 

Thanks for your help.

You didn't say what knot you were using. A properly tied Alberto knot will go through some pretty small guides without even noticing it.

In looking at it closer I believe I may need to use a shorter leader. I may end up going strictly to braid as the water around here doesn't seem too clear. This is the one I ended up tying. The Berkley Crystal Knot

Dumb question, can I use just a cinch knot if I went braid straight to lure?

Ya, just make sure before you cut your tag end to cinch that sucker down good. Braid will allow a tiny tiny amount of slippage if not cinched down good.

I recommend an improved clinch with braid if you want to stick with a clinch knot

The trend seems to be a line to leader connection using a knot instead of a swivel.  I'm not one to be jumping on that bandwagon, except once in awhile targeting certain species, none of which I find in freshwater.  I prefer a leader at all times, if for no other reason (and there are others) than getting braided line tangled in a treble hook, a leader is much easier to unravel.  I do not like a knot going thru my guides, even a thin profile knot like an alberto.

Does anyone see an issue with using either a small swivel or snap hook attaching the braid to the leader? (Obviously not going through the eyes) my thought is that may make changing out a short leader easier.

get rid of the leader. i never understood why people use a heavy braid and lighter leader (example: 50lb braid 12lb leader), it defeats the purpose of the heavy braid. the only time i could see myself using a leader is around rocks and even then i would most likely not be fishing braid. fish either straight braid or straight mono/fluoro. bass are not line shy

go straight braid.

I had similar issues. I dropped the leader, never felt like I lost strikes.

I will use a leader on my spinning gear (I use a light braid to a leader) in clear water for small mouth.

I'm still learning so I've tried a leader and I'll try straight braid. After reading a bunch on jigs I don't think a leader will matter but that's all part of the learning process.

Thanks for all the advice