I know, all people say braid is too visible compared to mono, but it is much thinner.

 

Mono 6# is about 0.20 mm, braid 6# is 0.10 mm, about half of the diameter of mono.

 

So, which is really easier for the fish to see?

 

When the line goes thicker, say 50 lb braid, I guess an invisible fluoro leader makes more sense.

I rarely use a leader on my dropshot rods, just straight braid. Only one I typically run a leader on is when I’m Mojo rigging- the braid doesn’t hold the peg worth a darn.

I’ll usually run 40-50lb mainline with a ~6ft 12-20lb FC leader on most of my setups. The FC is less visible than braid in clear water for sure. In murky water, I’ll cut the leader off for the sensitivity boost of straight braid, or if I’m throwing topwater bc braid floats. 

If braid is the leader, what’s the main line? 

I can’t think of any advantages of using braid as the leader. Either straight braid, straight mono/FC, or braid with a mono/FC leader

About a decade ago Daiwa introduced Samurai braid, small diameter green and very soft. Straight 10#/.006D Samurai became an instant hit with the local finesse bass anglers using spinning tackle.

So I tried it and found the color wasn’t permanent green dye on your fingers wasn’t pleasant. The small diameter 10# braid worked as far as getting strikes and catching bass. The problem soon arose was it frayed quickly against the rocky structure and broke easily if a bass wrapped the line around any wood/brush. Straight braid didn’t last more then a year before FC leaders became very popular.

The question at hand is using small diameter braid as a leader to larger diameter braid like 40# main line with 10# braid leader. The answer no, abrasion fraying hasn’t been resolved.

Tom 

 

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

If braid is the leader, what’s the main line? 

Can be any.

1 hour ago, PBBrandon said:

I can’t think of any advantages of using braid as the leader. Either straight braid, straight mono/FC, or braid with a mono/FC leader

I always use a weaker leader because I never want my mainly to break.

17 minutes ago, WRB said:

About a decade ago Daiwa introduced Samurai braid, small diameter green and very soft. Straight 10#/.006D Samurai became an instant hit with the local finesse bass anglers using spinning tackle.

So I tried it and found the color wasn’t permanent green dye on your fingers wasn’t pleasant. The small diameter 10# braid worked as far as getting strikes and catching bass. The problem soon arose was it frayed quickly against the rocky structure and broke easily if a bass wrapped the line around any wood/brush. Straight braid didn’t last more then a year before FC leaders became very popular.

Tom 

 

As I'll use it only as a leader, I can replace it as frequently as needed. For this purpose, 4 strands and cheap ones like Spiderwire EZ braid and Powerpro should do. 4 strands is more abrasion resistant than 8.

The number of strands ( ends) doesn’t affect abrasion resistance, the coating on the braid does.

2 knots are still knots to fail. Instead of a hypothetical proposal detail you actual fishing results. 

Tom

1 hour ago, WRB said:

The number of strands ( ends) doesn’t affect abrasion resistance, the coating on the braid does.

2 knots are still knots to fail. Instead of a hypothetical proposal detail you actual fishing results. 

Tom

I don't mind it breaks at the knots, what I hate is somewhere in the middle of the main line.

I wouldn't due to braid's poor abrasion resistance. I love braid as a main line though

On 11/6/2023 at 5:30 AM, JNorman said:

I wouldn't due to braid's poor abrasion resistance. I love braid as a main line though

That was not the concern. My question was: a much thinner braid vs. mono, 0.1 mm vs. 0.2 mm, which is more visible to fish? Maybe I should change the title of the original post.

Who knows what a bass see’s and how it’s brain processes it.

Tom

1 hour ago, govallis said:

That was not the concern. My question was: a much thinner braid vs. mono, 0.1 mm vs. 0.2 mm, which is more visible to fish?

Which fish? Are you fishing ultra clear water for smallmouth? If you're fishing for LM in typical lakes don't worry about it. They don't care.

When the A-Rig came out, it looked like a wad of coat hangers coming through the water column and was so effective, it got banned in the major tournaments. So I pass on the braid visability question. If they can see braid, they can see a couple of treble hooks too. Now I 100% belive in the abrasion issue. And if you use too heavy of a braid, it definitely affects the action of some finesse baits. Just my 2 cents...