17 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Interesting.  I have seen spools specifically labeled 'leader', but I assumed that it was either a gimmick, or superfluous.  Seemed to me that fluoro or hybrid would suffice just fine for my leaders....and they have.  Are you suggesting that xyz 20# fluorocarbon leader is somehow different than xyx 20# fluorocarbon line?

Yes. I have seaguar 10# invisx and 10# blue label leader the leader is noticeably stiffer and better for abrasion, but worse to break if it gets bent hard. 

That's definitely high on my list of pros when it comes to using leaders. I find that more times than not, when I snag and break off I don't lose anything further up than the knot. So the only braid I lose is the amount it takes to tie the leaders. It's a huge plus!

7 minutes ago, junyer357 said:

Yes. I have seaguar 10# invisx and 10# blue label leader the leader is noticeably stiffer and better for abrasion, but worse to break if it gets bent hard. 

I guess that makes me continue to question the practicality...one of my problems with using hybrid as a leader is how brittle it gets when 'creased' (or near creased.)  It works well as a leader, BUT I have to be careful, particularly when using thinner diameter braids - because the leader knot can become a weak point -- sounds like your leader material might have a similar concern.

 

Most of my knot failures come at the leader knot, not the hook knot. I use an improved alberto knot (but learning the fg knot now) to connect to braid, and the "shaw grigsby youtube" knot on all flouro hook knots

One thing i learned helping me on my hook knots is not tightening the dog snot out of it like i would mono. Doing so stretches and weakens it. I pull it snug and tight but dont over do it,then just leave 1/8-1/4 inch tag ends. If the didnt see the first 3ft of leader the extra tag end wont matter either. 

I think most of my line to leader knot failres are partially from the same issue, as well as it getting beat on by line guides repeatedly. 

I only use 3-5ft of leader at a time so its not reaching my spool, nor do i have a lot of places for it to get a hard enough bend to matter except for the knots.