I read some threads where some people fish only braid. Here’s where I get confused??

They fish braid with a 20 foot Fluorocarbon leader. Isn’t that much leader defeating the propose of the braid?

Myself I only fish about 5 foot of leader, and if I am fishing 10-15 lb braid I have had ok results with no leader at all.

Mostly because I am fishing a reaction bait.

Thanks

That's a pretty long leader but I definitely wouldn't say it defeats the purpose of using braid. A 30 yard cast is 90 feet. I use a pretty long leader myself, but mainly because the FG knot is a pain to tie.

AJay’s logic turned me onto longer leaders. I want a couple turns of line on the spool when a fish it boat side so that the knot isn’t going back and forth through the guides. (Spinning equipment that is, I don’t throw leaders on casting rods). So that’s a 20-25’ leader. It also makes casting smoother as you already have the rod straightened out before the knot is singing through the guides. And, a longer leader means fewer new leaders from losing line to tying knots.

And no, you don’t lose the benefit of braid.

I will run long leaders on spinning gear for the reasons others have already said, but it's in situations where I'm not concerned with casting distance as much as line control. Full flouro on a spinning reel is a PITA with loops and line memory. Light line braid (≤8lb) is prone to wind knots. By tying a longer leader I get the best of both worlds. Less likely to wind knots because of the leader material and less likely to develop loops and twist. If the flouro does get gnarly, just tie a new leader on.

@casts_by_fly hits on the main points for me and I have 2 additional; Setting the hook at the end of a 40yd cast in deeper water means my thinner, no stretch braid cuts thru the water and imparts more of the force generated by my reel sweep set, resulting in more fish caught. Also, high quality pe line lasts darn near forever.

scott

I have been using 10 lb Tatsu for leader and I haven’t had problems with knots.

This year I been fishing more braid Seaguar PEX8 18lb and Power Pro slick 2 10 lb. I haven’t caught a lot of fish this year, but no breaks so far with leader knots. “Weather related” high water , high winds or cold.

I fish the river for small mouths only.

I have fished fluorocarbon 8 lb and feel my hook up rate suffered a little bit.

Edit: Will have to experiment with a longer leader.

I run a relatively short leader, 6 ft or less, for flipping or topwater.

Long leader, 12 ft+, on spinning though. Retying a drop shot eats leader material.

If I'm throwing reaction on braid for some reason, no leader.

2 hours ago, PGA Dropout said:

Retying a drop shot eats leader material.

I got tired of my hook being fouled after one fish so I started using the dropshot hooks on swivel like the VMC spinshot. Another bonus I hadn't considered was that I don't use up my leader as fast. I'll tie my dropper section on with a lighter weight line and tie my weight to the line. Then if it hangs up I can tug on it a bit without instantly losing a tungsten ds weight.

Ya know, I see a guy on Saturday mornings doing fishing videos from his kayak and I believe he only uses 12-18 inch leaders and that’s it. He catches SM, LM, PIKE and MUSKIE.

I normally don’t see him having issues with his line. Occasionally yes and then he swaps out for another leader but not ALL the time. Seems easy enough to keep it that length right? I’ve never used a leader but I will start this year on at least one pole. Only because I want to do more river fishing.

I bought some(6) - 12 inch steel leaders from FF. Going to try this year.

We're all different and have various preferences, it's all good.

On moving baits I only throw straight braid.

With subtle presentations " finesse " I use a 6ft flouro leader.

Don't like any part of the leader getting into the reel.

Plus all break-offs is at the hook allowing reuse of the leader.

No need for 20ft of leader. Imo

1 hour ago, FLYING HIGH said:

Ya know, I see a guy on Saturday mornings doing fishing videos from his kayak and I believe he only uses 12-18 inch leaders and that’s it. He catches SM, LM, PIKE and MUSKIE.

I normally don’t see him having issues with his line. Occasionally yes and then he swaps out for another leader but not ALL the time. Seems easy enough to keep it that length right? I’ve never used a leader but I will start this year on at least one pole. Only because I want to do more river fishing.

I bought some(6) - 12 inch steel leaders from FF. Going to try this year.

Flying high-

If you are using a snap or aren’t changing lures all day then an 18” leader is okay. Throwing braid to leader for top water with an 18” heavy mono leader and a snap? Great. But if you tie direct then you’re losing 2-4” each change. Change twice and 18” becomes 12”. One more and you’re at 8”. Next thing you know you need a new leader which is a time consuming pain in the butt on the water when the bite is hot. Make that a 14’ mono leader and you can retire all day without making a new leader.

This is what I normally use on my few poles. Super easy to change everything out. Considering I am only a bank angler as of now, I need to change things out quickly. I was considering tying a uni knot to the open loop of the leaders I have. Otherwise I will connect the leader to the barrel swivel clip.

Definitely understand the potential frustration of losing all that leader because of reties. We are already limited with fishing time, can’t waste it on nonsense of retying all day. I want to try and work smarter, not harder. 🤪.

Thanks @casts_by_fly

I used to struggle with wind knots but ever since I started tying a shorter leader (knot stays out of the reel), I have basically eliminated wind knots. I do tie longer leaders on dropshot rigs because like PGA said, DSs eat up line. For baitcasters I always want the knot out of the reel. And I've caught enough big carp, catfish, and lake trout on my spinning rigs that I don't even question my knots anymore. FG knot when tying at home and an Alberto when retying on the water.