Hi everyone

 

I am just wondering when fishing with light braid, for example 8# to 15# test, does anyone tie on a fluorocarbon leader when targeting smallies or trout?

 

I would be throwing a senko or spoons at 1/2oz or under....

 

Anyone tried this before? is it a good idea? How long should the leader be?

 

Thanks

I generally use 30# braid for almost every reel, and size the Fluoro to the technique/species I'm fishing.  I usually start with about a 6' leader.  It allows for multiple re-ties.

I use 10# braid mainline for spinning and always tie on a leader from 4# to 15# depending on what my plan of the day is.

I always use a leader on spinning reels, ranging frm 2-30lb test. I especially like the 'tick' sound when the leader is cast out of the end of the rod.

I generally use 30# braid for almost every reel, and size the Fluoro to the technique/species I'm fishing.  I usually start with about a 6' leader.  It allows for multiple re-ties.

I do exactly this. 8lb fluoro leader on spinning gear, 12lb on baitcasters.

It's an awesome idea. Braid lasts forever, and when visibility is an issue, just buy one filler spool of your favorite fluorocarbon to use as leader material. Saves a TON of money

In use nothing but braid on my spinning reels for smallies and have never found a need for a leader. Besides, I HATE the 'tick' sound when the leader is cast out of the end of the rod.

I always use a mono leader with 10lb braid on spinning tackle. I did have a good buddy come over that used straight braid for his first 6 lb smallie. All his subsequent 6 lb + smallies have had a leader attached. The leader does give you a little stretch in the system. The leader also helps with abrasion resistance.

I use braid on all my spinning reels and then use a 6ft or so mono or floro leader depending on the condition. Braid and spinning reels are a match made in heaven! You can feel every bite but with the leader the fish don't see your line.
PS-Use the Bob Sands knot for all your leader connections. This knot is amazing. Absolutely the strongest line to line knot I've ever used. Really. Every time I get snagged and have to pop the line, the line pops either at the lure knot or somewhere on the leader, the bob sands knot never fails. It takes some practice to get used to tying but its well worth it. There are some good youtube tutorials.

I always use a leader unless the water is dirty. I only use a foot or two of leader so the knot isn't running back and forth through my guides. 

Any reason not to use co-poly?  I recently bought a used spinning reel with braid and will need new leader before too long.  I am pretty sure I purged all my flouro when I switched to co-poly. 

Braid on all my spinning reels with a leader.  Don't fish for trout and smb anymore, but found I had no more or less strikes with a f/c leader than a mono or copoly leader.  My leaders are no more than 3' usually with a swivel unless my target species go after a swivel as readily as the lure, quite common here.  I enjoy the little bit of shock but more important to me is not having to untangle braid from a treble hook which can be a pain and time consuming, mono unravels in a breeze.

I started using braid with fluoro leader this season with some success but get a lot of break offs at the not. I use a uni-uni knot and and it comes out perfectly but just lastnight I had a decent size bass hit my fluke and I go to set the hook and snap. Right at the knot. I was so frustrated. What are you guys doing that maybe I'm overlooking?

Just recently converted my spinning rigs to 15# braid.  Use either an 8 or 10 lb leader as needed.   Love using a leader.

I fish 10# Powerpro with 18' of 6#(dropshot) or 8#(tubes) Halo. The long leader eliminates the need to retie a new leader after a couple snag break-offs and reties.

I started using braid with fluoro leader this season with some success but get a lot of break offs at the not. I use a uni-uni knot and and it comes out perfectly but just lastnight I had a decent size bass hit my fluke and I go to set the hook and snap. Right at the knot. I was so frustrated. What are you guys doing that maybe I'm overlooking?

Tone down the hookset. You don't need to cross their eyes with braid. I use light leader with a uni-uni and have never broke off at the leader knot, fish or snag.

Almost all my spinning have braid 20 or 30# and the UL is 10 I think. I use a copoly line for my leaders. Most all my spools of line any more are some copoly. As for connections I use to use uni to uni but over time it weakens or digs in to each other I think. I use Albright knot now and it is much better. Very often I use a small swivel so leaders are only 18"-2'. With no swivel I will pull out a arms length so they are 6'.

I generally use 30# braid for almost every reel, and size the Fluoro to the technique/species I'm fishing.  I usually start with about a 6' leader.  It allows for multiple re-ties.

 

Same here.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

Tone down the hookset. You don't need to cross their eyes with braid. I use light leader with a uni-uni and have never broke off at the leader knot, fish or snag.

 

 

I never use a strong hookset. I'll try again and see. Maybe my drag was set too strong and that did it.

Thanks for the input everyone.  So what is the best knot to tie braid to the flouro leader?