I have a stupid question about putting leaders on lines.  I usually see people doing something like 15lb braid to a 10lb FC leader.  Doesn't that effectively make the entire line 10lb since a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link?  In other words, wouldn't the 10lb leader be the weak point where the line could break so what's the point of using 15lb braid?

Line diameter. 15lb braid is about the same as 6lb mono. Thin line casts further.

Sorry.  That's not what i mean.  I mean, if (hypothetically) a 10lb line breaks with exactly 10lbs of weight, then why have 15lb main line with a 10lb leader since 10lbs of weight will snap the line anyway.  Why not just do a 10lb line with a 10lb leader?

    

Some guys do run 10lb braid but again it really has nothing to do with the break strength of the braid vs the leader it's all about line diameter with the braid. If you go too thin you just end up with wind knots and line that is basically a razor saw on your skin.

Your right about the weakest link. But you can do whatever you want. There is no written rules regarding tackle matchups just leasons learned from experience.  I often use 10lb braid on spinning tackle with 12 or 15lb leaders because of abrasion from rocks. Thinner braid will allow your baits to work deeper because of less water resistance but much thinner than 10lb braid gets hard to manage & tie knots with because it is almost like thread. Lots of guys want their leader to break before the braid to facilitate removing snags & preserving the more expensive braid when a break off occurs. 

I generally use a slightly lighter leader, mostly just to reduce the diameter as much as humanly possible, without sacrificing ability.

 

Dude last weekend caught what may be Arizona state record on 10lb braid with 7lb leader…..16 lb 7 oz.

 

That's a monster bass.  Do you know what lake it was on?  

Looks like Roosevelt, maybe the low water ramp near Windy Point.  My go-to spot now that Schoolhouse is out of water.  

I think i understand,  So the idea is to match the diameter of the lines together.  So if you're doing 15lb braid to 8lb mono, you really want an 8lb test but you're using the 15lb braid to match the diameter of the mono.  That makes sense.

 

 

  

5 minutes ago, Tucson said:

That's a monster bass.  Do you know what lake it was on?  

Looks like Roosevelt, maybe the low water ramp near Windy Point.  My go-to spot now that Schoolhouse is out of water.  

It was on Rosey during the SWCT Tournament Saturday. They launched off of Badger, so that’s the spot. 
 

I’ve been pulling some decent fish right there in the cove waiting on the ramp traffic to clear. 

When the line breaks it almost always breaks at the knot.  If I'm hung and have to break off,  I want it to break at the lure knot not at the braid to leader knot.  Less stuff to retie.

Leaders are completely optional for bass fishing.  It's a personal preference, not a requirement.

9 hours ago, Fredd said:

Sorry.  That's not what i mean.  I mean, if (hypothetically) a 10lb line breaks with exactly 10lbs of weight, then why have 15lb main line with a 10lb leader since 10lbs of weight will snap the line anyway.  Why not just do a 10lb line with a 10lb leader?

    

 

With that logic, why would guys use 30-50lb leader with 15 or so pound of leader?  The reason is that the leader is the weak spot and you choose your leader based on the cover, lure, fish, etc.  You chose your mainline based on handling at the reel and casting.  10# line to 6/8/10# is pretty common for spinning setups.  Going lighter than 10# line starts getting really thin.  You don’t need to go thinner for most purposes.  You don’t usually need more capacity from thinner line.  10# has enough thickness for decent handling and doens’t feel like sewing thread that is going to blow in the wind.  Some fish 15# for the same reason.

 

On the flip side, in some applications you might be fishing 30-50# mainline but have an 80# leader.  That would be a high abrasion situation like you’d find in saltwater, but you’re only using 50# braid for the casting distance.  You don’t need 50# of force to fight the fish, but you need the abrasion resistance of 80# fluoro.  

Anytime you choose to use braid with a FC leader be aware of the FC knot strength will be less than the line strength about 10% and you are using 2 knots. Using mono in lieu of FC for a leader it’s common to get 100% knot strength.

Tom

Most guys go a bit lighter lead with braid so they only snap the mono/flouro and not a section of braid in the water. For me, growing up fishing steelhead, it’s natural having a heavier mainline and lighter leader 

I use a lot of braid to leader on spinning tackle. My personal preference is to use light braid ~10lb test and adjust the leader diameter as necessary to deal with abrasion. By contrast, I adjust the braid diameter to change the overall strength of my lines. To answer your question directly, yes, the strength of your braid to leader system is only as strong as its weakest link. My experience is if you use a careful FG knot, it will almost always outperform the knot you choose to tie on your bait or hook. That is why I have so much confidence in braid to leader. If I tie a good FG, I haven't made a new weakest link. The only knot to outperform an FG for me, so far, is a doubled improved clinch knot.