I'm wanting to try braid for drop shotting on crystal clear water lakes for spotted bass. What's a good color braid and what lb test. Also what's a good leader length to use. Thanks

If your running a leader the color of the braid will not matter as much. Color depends on your preference. I like PP Slick in Timber Brown. I prefer 15-20 pounds for my DS rod and a 8-12 pound Seaguar Tatsu or Red Label leader depending on cover.

What's a good leader length, sorry used to using straight flouro so I'm unsure about leader lengths.

I use braid with fluoro on my dropshot setup. I use a swivel followed by about 2 feet, the hook, and then the length for the weight. That can be from 6" all the way to 2 feet for me generally.

What's a good leader length, sorry used to using straight flouro so I'm unsure about leader lengths.

It's going to be different for MANY people, but me personally, I want my leader to be just long enough that when you reel up your line to make a cast, that the connection knot does not reach the spool. I usually do my arms span of leader (Or just above 6 feet.)

It's going to be different for MANY people, but me personally, I want my leader to be just long enough that when you reel up your line to make a cast, that the connection knot does not reach the spool. I usually do my arms span of leader (Or just above 6 feet.)

This is how my braid to fluoro setups are. No problems. I use Alberto knot, wet it before sinching down. Never had it break or come loose. Also, an new good braided line meant for finesse is from Sunline. It's called Sunline SX1 braided line hi-vis yellow. $19.99 and comes in 12 or 16lb. I use 12lb for my DropShot rod and 16lb for my tube, wacky rig, fluke rod. Good strong line and really flys off the spool

This is how my braid to fluoro setups are. No problems. I use Alberto knot, wet it before sinching down. Never had it break or come loose. Also, an new good braided line meant for finesse is from Sunline. It's called Sunline SX1 braided line hi-vis yellow. $19.99 and comes in 12 or 16lb. I use 12lb for my DropShot rod and 16lb for my tube, wacky rig, fluke rod. Good strong line and really flys off the spool

I was planning on using sx1 anyways since I love using the fx2 but can't decide on the lb test between 12 and 16, I want a braid I can use to drop shot on the CA delta as well. Do you know the diameter on the braid compared to mono? Also do you use a swivel to reduce line twist when you use braid or no?

It's going to be different for MANY people, but me personally, I want my leader to be just long enough that when you reel up your line to make a cast, that the connection knot does not reach the spool. I usually do my arms span of leader (Or just above 6 feet.)

 

 

This was going to be my response too.

 

On a baitcaster, its not as big of a deal, but with a spinning reel, the leader knot always hangs up on the bail and the line on the spool.

I use 8-10# nanofil

I find the small diameter cuts through the water the best if it's windy and your not 100% vertical

I was planning on using sx1 anyways since I love using the fx2 but can't decide on the lb test between 12 and 16, I want a braid I can use to drop shot on the CA delta as well. Do you know the diameter on the braid compared to mono? Also do you use a swivel to reduce line twist when you use braid or no?

I use the VMC spin shot hooks when I DS so I don't need to run a swivel.

I use the gamakatsu ones but sometimes prefer a regular drop shot hook

I use the gamakatsu ones but sometimes prefer a regular drop shot hook

You will probably want a swivel then. Braid wont show near as much line twist as Fluoro or Mono, but a swivel would prevent most of it.

You will probably want a swivel then. Braid wont show near as much line twist as Fluoro or Mono, but a swivel would prevent most of it.

yeah I thought about not using one with braid but I'm not too sure yet

I've used it without a swivel before I found the VMC's. I would fish for a few hours and then troll my line out and pull the twists out. That said, I never really seen a huge amount of line twist due to my short usage of the DS. Hopefully one of the tourney guys can chime in and report if they see it.

I run 12lb braid with an 8lb Invisx leader for DS'ing. It has worked really well for me. I do run a swivel at the leader connection and use both spin-shot and non swivel hooks. I am convinced that when sunnies are chasing and biting my swivel (which happens a lot), bass come to investigate.  

 

I run about 2 feet of leader above the hook. Im using tufline duracast and have had zero twist, or wind knot issues with it. Its the best flouro Ive used on a spinning reel.