Just curious if anyone has switched to straight braid for all appliances with no leader.  I love braid and hate tying leaders and hearing the knot go through the guides. Would love to switch but feel like braid is still too visible, but I don’t have any evidence of this. Anyone try it? And noticeable difference? Thanks 

Dunno about evidence to refute and I only run braid on two rigs, Fuego-XS 50# Green Power Pro and President 20# Green Power Pro, and I don't do leaders. Best of the year (my profile pic) was caught on a spinner with the President. So I'd have to say the braid didn't deter the fish in any way.

I used straight braid for everything until this past summer. 

Now I tie a very short mono leader on crankbait and jerkbait rods.  It has nothing to do with visibility for me. I do it because it lessens the line getting caught up with the hooks.

I used straight braid on everything for the past few years and didn't noticed any difference in catch rates. However, I just spooled up all new line and switched it up a little bit and put some 12 lb Sufix Elite on a couple rigs. No reason, just figured I would see how it goes. If I don't like it, back to braid it is.

I have always used straight braid for everything. I don’t believe bass have the brain power to reason or to figure out that line attached to a lure is something to avoid. So, I don’t worry or care about line visibility. Where I fish, even in rocky streams and rivers, I never have problems with abrasion. I’ve never had a reason to even try FC or mono leaders.

25 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Dunno about evidence to refute and I only run braid on two rigs, Fuego-XS 50# Green Power Pro and President 20# Green Power Pro, and I don't do leaders. Best of the year (my profile pic) was caught on a spinner with the President. So I'd have to say the braid didn't deter the fish in any way.

So you only run 2 rigs total? That’s a beautiful fish! 

 

12 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

I used straight braid for everything until this past summer. 

Now I tie a very short mono leader on crankbait and jerkbait rods.  It has nothing to do with visibility for me. I do it because it lessens the line getting caught up with the hooks.

That’s interesting! Never thought about it that way but you are right...those treble hooks can be a pain. Do you use an fg knot? 

 

4 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I used straight braid on everything for the past few years and didn't noticed any difference in catch rates. However, I just spooled up all new line and switched it up a little bit and put some 12 lb Sufix Elite on a couple rigs. No reason, just figured I would see how it goes. If I don't like it, back to braid it is.

So you have no reason for switching? Or is it for certain rigs (deep diving...) 

1 minute ago, clemsondds said:

So you only run 2 rigs total? That’s a beautiful fish! 

 

That’s interesting! Never thought about it that way but you are right...those treble hooks can be a pain. Do you use an fg knot? 

 

So you have no reason for switching? Or is it for certain rigs (deep diving...) 

No, I have 7 rigs (see my signature), but three I run Yo-Zuri Hybrid and two I run mono.

Just now, clemsondds said:

So you only run 2 rigs total? That’s a beautiful fish! 

 

That’s interesting! Never thought about it that way but you are right...those treble hooks can be a pain. Do you use an fg knot? 

 

So you have no reason for switching? Or is it for certain rigs (deep diving...) 

I usually drink Coke, but sometimes I like to have a Dr Pepper LOL. 

 

I plan to use the Mono for moving baits and stick with braid for topwater and bottom contact.

6 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

That’s interesting! Never thought about it that way but you are right...those treble hooks can be a pain. Do you use an fg knot? 

Oh - I'm running cranks/jerks on YZH - but topwaters, (Spooks, WPs and Chopps) are on either the President or Fuego-XS. I tossed them that way last year...yes on straight braid...and didn't have the issue of the line tangling in the trebles.

6 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

So you only run 2 rigs total? That’s a beautiful fish! 

 

That’s interesting! Never thought about it that way but you are right...those treble hooks can be a pain. Do you use an fg knot? 

 

So you have no reason for switching? Or is it for certain rigs (deep diving...) 

I use a double uni.   Easy to tie and I've never had one give.  With a little practice the actual knot is nice and small. 

 

22 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I have always used straight braid for everything. I don’t believe bass have the brain power to reason or to figure out that line attached to a lure is something to avoid. So, I don’t worry or care about line visibility. Where I fish, even in rocky streams and rivers, I never have problems with abrasion. I’ve never had a reason to even try FC or mono leaders.

Mind if I ask what braid you are using? 

I fish a lot of clearer lakes and wouldn't even entertain the thought of running straight braid on everything.  I run it on my frog rod and one spinning rod that gets a fluoro leader. Like most things I'm sure it's a confidence thing but no one I know around here fishes much braid. Apparently it works for a lot of u guys tho. I personally think there are times when the visibility of the braid would affect the number of bites. I have no evidence of this but believe it enough to not run braid on most things. Plus I'm not crazy about the noise and such associated with it. I say use whatever ur confident in. Maybe try it and see if you think its hurting anything. 

I've run straight braid for 90 percent of my fishing seasons in the past 30 years. Really haven't noticed a difference. Tough days are no easier with flouro.

Only use braid for frogging. 50lb Sufix 832.

9 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

I've run straight braid for 90 percent of my fishing seasons in the past 30 years. Really haven't noticed a difference. Tough days are no easier with flouro.

Have you ever fished with someone else in the boat who was using mono or fluoro? Notice any difference between the two bites?  This is probably the closest we have to experiments ha 

I prefer braid over any other line but just can't get myself to run it straight for applications like Ned rigs or drop shot.

Perhaps the fish don't care but I do.

 

I use Powe pro and Viscous braids and Sunline Sniper as leader line only.

Haven't used mono in many years. 

This year I spooled up fluorocarbon on one rod, the other 11 are all braid. 

I have braid on everything except my crankbait/treble hook lures/jerkbait which has mono. 

I run straight braid when fishing bass, they don't seem to be line shy.  Even in the crystal clear waters of Lake St Clair.  I typically only use leaders when fishing salmon, steelhead, and toothy critters because the rigs I run dictate their use.  There really isn't much rigging involved in bass fishing unless you're running a variant of the C-rig.  Most of it is tying on a bait and casting.  It's not like I'm tying on a circle hook and a 3oz pyramid to catch bass.  Great burbot rig though.

53 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Have you ever fished with someone else in the boat who was using mono or fluoro? Notice any difference between the two bites?  This is probably the closest we have to experiments ha 

Yes . on bad days sometimes they win sometimes I win. It's never by a big margin though. It's not enough that I'd conclude it's due to the line. This year I finally decided to totally not worry about it.

2 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I used straight braid for everything

 

2 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I used straight braid on everything

 

2 hours ago, Scott F said:

I have always used straight braid for everything

Do yall throw wacky senkos on straight braid?

12 minutes ago, BoatSquirrel said:

 

 

Do yall throw wacky senkos on straight braid?

Not one of yall but I do, floating braid is my bite detector. Tried mono and floro but kept missing fish, braid much easier to see. I believe that the action of the bait is also better with braid.

I run straight braid when fishing the Great Miami River for Smallies and Sauger/Saugeyes.

Braid with a leader when fishing gravel pits.

One advantage since I’ve switched to all braid fishing rivers is that when snagged I can recover 95% of my lures.

I take a small wooden dowel and use it to pull my lures free.Cheaper to replace a treble than buying a new lure.

2 minutes ago, fvogel67 said:

I run straight braid when fishing the Great Miami River for Smallies and Sauger/Saugeyes.

Braid with a leader when fishing gravel pits.

One advantage since I’ve switched to all braid fishing rivers is that when snagged I can recover 95% of my lures.

I take a small wooden dowel and use it to pull my lures free.Cheaper to replace a treble than buying a new lure.

I have to remember to grab a dowel, I keep wrapping line around my arm to do the same.

14 minutes ago, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

I have to remember to grab a dowel, I keep wrapping line around my arm to do the same.

This is the one I use.