For those that use braid plus a FC leader for drop shot  - what braid mainline , knot , and FC (leader length too) do you use ?

I use straight Floro now but I used to use 15 braid to 8 -10 pound leader I used the Alberto knot it was the only knot I knew how to tie my leader was long it was from just right above my reel right back down to the reel so like a 12 foot leader I liked a long leader to be able to cut line off if necessary it last longer. I never had a problem getting the knot threw the guides it flowed rite threw.

2 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

For those that use braid plus a FC leader for drop shot  - what braid mainline , knot , and FC (leader length too) do you use ?

Suffix 832 10lb braid, modified double uni knot, and Yo-Zuri HD Carbon FC 10lb (5-6'). 

 

PowerPro 15lb, anywhere from 8-12lb FC Sniper/PLine CFX Fluoro leader, fairly long i'd say at least 30 inches.  I use a weird setup where i have a Quick Snap on the braid side, Spro Power Swivel on the fluoro side, and quick connect.  This also lets me take one rod and switch between drop shot and crankbaits quickly.

I don't use a knot to connect the fluoro leader, I use a swivel. I have 30lb braid and will use as light as a 6lb. leader. My norm is 10lb. As for length, I like to have around 18in. between the swivel and hook and the drop tag depends on how far off bottom I want to present the bait.

15Lb kastking braid, fg or Alberto knot, 6-10lb mono

I run two set ups. Nanofil #12 to a black micro swivel and 30-32 inches of #8 Invizex. Power Pro #10 to a micro swivel and 30 inches of #6 Invizex.   

Thanks for the replies - the micro swivel is a good idea to deal with line twist ...

Wouldn’t using a micro swivel have the potential of damaging your guide as they pass threw them? If you use a shorter leader with a micro swivel to avoid going threw the guides wouldn’t that kind of force you to have to make a lob cast every time you cast? I never used micro swivels to tie a leader? I know hank Parker does I seen the video on the bass resource channel.

 I don’t see a need for a micro swivel unless you hate tying an Alberto knot or Albrite knot or a blood knot or whatever the heck type of knot.

51 minutes ago, Burros said:

Wouldn’t using a micro swivel have the potential of damaging your guide as they pass threw them? If you use a shorter leader with a micro swivel to avoid going threw the guides wouldn’t that kind of force you to have to make a lob cast every time you cast? I never used micro swivels to tie a leader? I know hank Parker does I seen the video on the bass resource channel.

 I don’t see a need for a micro swivel unless you hate tying an Alberto knot or Albrite knot or a blood knot or whatever the heck type of knot.

 

Swivels are suppose to be used with drop shot rigs. However, with companies making hooks with swivels attached to it, the swivel becomes unnecessary and allows a line to leader knot to be used instead. Gamakatsu currently has 3 of these hooks with swivels, a circle, a drop shot, and a worm hook. 

 

I throw drop shot, Ned rigs, and weightless 4" Senkos all on the same ML rod. I leave the leader attached, tying on the drop shot swivel hook, a mushroom head jig, or EWG hook for whichever rig I want to throw. 

My current setup has 15 lb 832 on it and the leader is 6lb yhb or 6lb sniper depending on water clarity.  The Alberto is the knot of choice and I tie on 5 foot leaders and change it out around 2 feet remaining.  I plan on trying some of the new suffix nanobraid in 10 to see how it feels.  

On 6/9/2018 at 7:50 AM, ChrisD46 said:

For those that use braid plus a FC leader for drop shot  - what braid mainline , knot , and FC (leader length too) do you use ?

I use 8# Power Pro mainline, Alberto or FG knot, and Tatsu or InvizX FC leader (6 or 8 pound depending) typically around 4-5' in length.

Bait casting reel don't go under 20 lb braid, use 6 lb to 8 lb FC of your choice.

Spinning reel, go with a small size 1000-1500 to reduce weight and no reason for larger diameter spool with braid. Too small diameter braid under 10 lbs is very difficult to tie leaders under fishing conditions unless you have excellent eye sight and the very small diameter line tends to wind knot easily. 12 lb braid is a lot easier to see and handle and use 6 lb to 8 lb FC of your choice. Spinning guides easily handle braid knots, use whatever knot you tie effectively, Uni to Uni works good. Length of leader depends on your preference, length of the rod is a good length to start with.

Tom

 

Spinning = 2000 sized reel, 7' M or ML rod, 10lb braid, 6 or 8lb FC leader. Alberto knot to join the lines. 6-7 feet of leader.

 

Casting = 7'3" MH/F rod, 7.3:1 reel, 30lb braid, 12 or 15lb FC leader. Same knot , same leader length. 

 

I tend to only use casting gear for power shotting, and spinning gear for finesse, or all purpose drop shotting.

5 hours ago, Burros said:

Wouldn’t using a micro swivel have the potential of damaging your guide as they pass threw them? If you use a shorter leader with a micro swivel to avoid going threw the guides wouldn’t that kind of force you to have to make a lob cast every time you cast? I never used micro swivels to tie a leader? I know hank Parker does I seen the video on the bass resource channel.

 I don’t see a need for a micro swivel unless you hate tying an Alberto knot or Albrite knot or a blood knot or whatever the heck type of knot.

 

You reel up to the swivel. Employ a side arm lob cast or pitch the drop shot. It works great. It does help with line twist and I pre-tie my leaders. It's pretty efficient.

I use 20lb Power Pro SS8 with either a 6 or 10lb fluoro leader. I initially tie about a 10-12' leader with an albright knot. I run braid to fluoro or copoly on all of my setups no matter what it is with an albright knot. I've never had in fail on any setup at any point. I'm sure there is something newer and cuter but I'll stick with performance.

If using a VMC spin shot drop shot hook  then I assume I could just go with a Alberto knot to join the braid main line with the FC leader and forgo the micro swivel ?

No swivel Necessary. ??‍♂️

From the reel to the weight, one line, no leader.

 

Gamma 8 pound Polyflex line.

 

Would like to go to six pound test but it is too difficult to control and it twists easily.

 

 

Braid - Power Pro 20lb Hi-Vis Yellow

Leader Knot - FG knot

Leader - Sunline Sniper 6 - 8lb.

Your swivel should never be going through your guides, and I'll even argue that your double-unit shouldn't either.  You should be able to make a cast on spinning gear with a 30 inch FC leader without any issues.