Hey guys,

 

Just curious... what is your go-to leader (material, lb-test, etc.) that you use when fishing a braid-to-leader setup?  

 

I use mostly straight 30lb-40lb test braid on my casting setups (jigs, t-rigs, frogs, cranks, jerk baits, basically EVERYTHING) and straight 10lb braid on my spinning (finesse) setups. After having multiple unfortunate break-offs and problems with my line fraying pretty close to the bait, I've decided to give some sort of leader (mono or fluorocarbon) a shot; so... what do you all prefer/recommend?

 

Seaguar for all leaders and most of my braid

 

40# 832 to 15# AbrazX on my MH BC rig

20# 832 to 12# InvizX on my MH spinning rig

20# Smackdown to 6# InvizX on my ML spinning rig

 

All mainline-to-leader knots are FG.

Mono.

Yo Zuri Hybrid

Sounds like you are wanting to add a leader for abrasion resistance? A fluorocarbon specifically made as leader material might be your best bet. I’m sure someone will be along to give specific recommendations.

I always use YoZuri Hybrid in 6, 8, 10 pound test,

or Gamma Edge Fluoro in 6, 8, 10....

 

9 out of 10 times I tie them on with Uni-to-uni, other

knots are mod'd Albright, and/or Shin's Knot.

Berkley Big Game makes great leader material, plus it's dirt cheap.  It does have a lot of stretch, but it's very tough stuff.

I use Berkley Big Game monofilament line for leader material.

Seagar has a gold label leader made of FC. I have seen it being used a lot. I think it is a little pricey though. Typically I use Seagar Red Label, or Suffix Advanced FC.

 

I will use something like 10-12lb FC on my braid for spinning setups.

1 hour ago, Darren. said:

I always use YoZuri Hybrid in 6, 8, 10 pound test,

or Gamma Edge Fluoro in 6, 8, 10....

 

9 out of 10 times I tie them on with Uni-to-uni, other

knots are mod'd Albright, and/or Shin's Knot.

 

I've been using YZH too. 6lb to a 15lb mainline on my spinning setup, and I've got a casting setup with 15lb to a 40lb mainline. And there's an ultralight spinning setup with 2lb to a 6lb mainline.

Seaguar Red Label from 6 - 25 lb for my leaders has worked perfectly. Looked at the Gold with it being thinner, but I keep hearing/reading about break offs. I can't remeber breaking off with Red Label unless I straight pulled on a snag.

I've used Blue label for over a decade, currently testing Gold label. So far so good. 

I carry .011" Berkley Sensation (nylon) and .011" Berkley 100% fluorocarbon.  Which I use depends upon what I want to do with it... most of the time I use whatever I last put on that particular reel as I can't remember which it was anyway.

 

oe

I only use braid and leader for my dropshot setups, everything else is flourocarbon, or straight braid.

 

But for my dropshot setup its 5lb Maxima Ultragreen for open water, and 6lb for areas that have some sparse cover a fish could try to run towards.

 

It's never let me down and I fish Clearlake from time to time where the largemouth are big and mean.

32 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I've used Blue label for over a decade

 

I just started using this last year, about half way through the year, in certain moving lure applications.  I had to because pike kept trimming my 30 pound braid right off.  The Blue Label is solid in 20 pound test.  Anything stiffer is hard to tie knots with.

 

I like Seaguar Invisizx for applications when pike are not an issue.

It depends on the situation.  But all of my leader material is fishing line I bought to use as mainline, hated it, took it off, and then kept what was left for use as leaders.  So I've got a lot of fluorocarbon line in various pound tests left over from when I was thinking about going all fluorocarbon.  Also, if I ever have a bad backlash and have to cut half of it off, I'll keep the other half for leaders or backing.  

 

I don't reuse the stuff that actually saw use though.  It'll have nicks taken out of it and be stretched a bit more than I'd like.  

3 hours ago, Steveo-1969 said:

Sounds like you are wanting to add a leader for abrasion resistance? A fluorocarbon specifically made as leader material might be your best bet. I’m sure someone will be along to give specific recommendations.

Any of the FC's sold as "leader" will be harder and supposedly more abrasion resistant. However, hard mono leader material is pretty stiff/hard, too.  I like a  stiff leader because it keeps baits like blades from being so tangle prone on the cast and retrieve.  I'm now using a couple of the Hitena fly tippet materials.  

P-Line 100% Fluorocarbon in either 8 or 10 lb. test.

 

I tie it with a Crazy Alberto knot.  If I am prepping the night before, I'll roll the knot in some super glue.  If I am out in the boat, I let it ride bare back

Do yourself a favor and use FC100, It is flouro and invisible and. stretches like mono, Best of both worlds. I have 16lb, 20lb and 30lb with me all the time with FG knot.

I've been using P-line halo for most of my braid to leader needs. Prefer it over Blue Label because I've been able to get better knot retention. I always use a PR or FG knot if in a rush alberto.

I use trilene xl or berkley big game. I don’t use fluoro

For fluoro leaders, I’ve found to really like the seaguar steelhead/trout leader material to be excellent. It’s semi stiff, abrasion resistant and fairl inexpensive. For mono leaders nothing has yet to beat maxima ultragreen for my use. The more different monos and copolys I’ve used the more I’ve found how good maxima really is. 

Most of the time I'm using Seaguar Invizx with braid on casting gear.  Always have a spool of 15, 17 and 20 on hand.  8# Red Label for spinning rod leader line.  

 

Bought the Sun Line FC Leader in 20# on a really good sale.  No complaints, but IMO you'll be just fine taking your "leader" line off a filler spool.  Anything over that, it's straight braid.

 

I also keep a spool of Trilene mono in 12# if I feel like I need a little stretch or a shock absorber.  I think it is similar to #17 Invizx in diameter.  

 

As far as knots, I always suggest the one you can tie best in real fishing conditions.  I like the alberto.  

Seaguar, Yozuri Hybrid, Triple Fish Fluoro, Ande, 30+ Year Old Purple Stren 17lb or 8lb Mono (when i need lots of stretch), P-Line Cxx, Momoi Diamond 20lb, Ande Pink Mono.

 

But mostly Seaguar Fluoro in several tests from 8 to 50lbs, followed by Yozuri Hybrid in several tests up to 50lbs, then Stren and Ande mono for certain conditions. 

6#Tatsu on the DS rods

8# Inviz-X on the tubes

15 and 20# Sniper on the walleye rods.