How many of you, if any, are using straight braid no leaders for topwater and weightless plastics like senkos, flukes, etc? If so, what brand and weight do you prefer?

Treble hooked topwaters minus front prop baits, yes.

 

Weightless plastics, no, I use a leader for those to help with them sinking. 

 

I use 20lb braid for my topwaters. 

2 hours ago, CGray97 said:

How many of you, if any, are using straight braid no leaders for topwater and weightless plastics like senkos, flukes, etc

I have a pretty short window around here where I can get away with 8-12 lb mono.copoly/fluoro. Once the thick weeds and lily pads are in full bloom breakoffs become a big problem. 20lb braid is a no-go too. I can get away with straight 30lb Daiwa J8 for senkos, flukes, Fat IKAs, etc as long as I'm don't let them run too deep into the pads. It's a bit worrisome if they do, but even then I've never had an issue with 30lb. I will throw topwaters using the same line if I've waded out and don't feel like trekking back to swap rigs. It's doable if I back off my drag. However, I prefer to throw treble topwaters on straight 15lb Big Game. It's hard to beat the durability and strength of BG and the stretch is about perfect for trebles baits on the crisper rods I prefer using.

I like throwing weightless stick baits and frogs on 50-65 lb braid. In the past I’ve used mustad brand, I’ve got some seaguar to try this year.  

I like a fast action rod for my topwater so I don't normally use braid. I prefer mono or Copoly. The one exception is for my bigger swimbait size topwater stuff. I use 50lb braid to a mono leader for those. 

As for the weightless stuff, no, never. I only use fluoro for that stuff. 

I use a fairly soft action MH rated rod with 30# braid for everything on top except frogs, those get 50#. 
 

Everything else except punching is straight flouro, no leaders ever. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

Topwater casting mxf and 20lb PP

Senko spinning MF 10lb PP

Senko casting MHF 30lb PP although depending on where I am fishing I could use a leader.

Senko skipping casting rod HMF 17lb mono

 

Ie, I don't skip with braid unless it is on spinning

I always use a relatively short leader on trebled topwater baits because I manage to get the hooks tangled in the braid on walking retrieves. Seems every time I pause the bait the limp braid gets in my front hook. I use P-Line Topwater as a leader. It floats really well, has just the right amount of shock absorption on hook sets to prevent tear out or bending, and is just stiff enough to keep the braid away from my hooks. 

 

All other single hook applications get straight braid. I use 30# Power Pro.