I fish a drop shot a lot, usually fish it shallow and pitch it around, not too much vertical fishing, when doing this would fishing straight fluoro be better than braid and leader because the line might not always be tight? What do you prefer?

I used to use all fluoro when drop shotting shollow situations like you mentioned. Even though fluoro does transmit a slack line bite the best, I find myself just using 10lb. braid with a fluoro leader (which is my deep water drop shot set-up). Braid on spinning gear is just so much more manageable and for those bites I might miss because I didn't feel thay slack line "tick" I feel I make up for by having my line in the water more and not fighting the excessive memory that seems to come with fluoro as the day progresses.

I am confused by the braid not being able to transmit bites unless tight. I have heard it before but I am trying to think of my own experience and can't quite discern whether it happens or not. I run braid on everything and my drop shot with a fluoro leader and can't think of any issues with not being able to detect a bite on slack line.

 

Well regardless of that or not, I personally recommend the braid/FC set up. Noticeably less line-twist with braid as well while DS.

I like the braid and leader, just wondering if I'm missing out on using fluoro.

Braid + leader always for me. Straight fluorocarbon has never worked well for me. Too much coiling and twists. Braid is also more sensitive IMO.

8lb braid and flouro leader on my drop shot rod

For what you're descibing, I prefer braid and leader - generally a much heavier leader than my straight fluoro set ups. There's lots of stuff to avoid fishing shallow, and braid with a stout rod helps me put the screws to the fish if needed.

I like braid and leader, just dont like having to tie up new leaders, how long do you genrally make yours?

For shallow fishing braid/fluoro leader kicks the crap out of straight fluoro for sensitivity.

I like braid and leader, just dont like having to tie up new leaders, how long do you genrally make yours?

 

Mine vary. Since I very rarely have to break off my drop shot, my leader from knot to hook is only about a foot and a half. Then the length from hook to sinker 6-18 inches depending on what im fishing.

 

I use standard tear drop sinkers and tie them with a slightly weaker knot so that if I snag the weight it will break there and I just have to tie on a new one without losing much length.

 

 

 

Edit: I have been keeping my leaders a little shorter on my braid/FC setups lately because while I am okay with a 6 foot leader (reeling a knot through the guides and casting it through is no problem) I have an issue when "pitching" with a spinning rod. It is such a light cast that if the knot slightly catches the guide on the way out it stunts the cast.

 

Hopefully everyone knows what I mean by "pitching" a spinning rod.