I am learning to drop shot, and due to line twist I am going to try braided line on my spinning reel with 8 lb flourocarbon on the business end of my rig. I am going to Clearlake ,Ca and I expect to be fishing about 15 to 20 feet down. How long should the distance be between the hook and the begining of the braid? ( I understand the bass at Clearlake are veterans of this sport and spook easily.)

i run a 3-6 ft leader on CL

x2 , i always use braid for drop shotting . a 3-6 ft. leader joined with a uni-to-uni should do the trick . but if fish are spooky , don't hesitate to use an even longer leader !! 

I'm new to drop shotting as well an I'd heard to jus go with floro.

What are the pros of usin braid with a floro leader?

I'm new to drop shotting as well an I'd heard to jus go with floro.

What are the pros of usin braid with a floro leader?

Sensitivity

Better hookups when DS'ing deep

I always dropshot with braid and a mono leader.  I attach them with the Alberto's knot.

Please report back as I am interested to find out how it goes if you are fishing vertically in 15 fow.  I can't get them to bite like that unless it is murky or 25' deep.

I like to use a swivel between my braid and flouro. The size of my swivel will fit through my tiptop. I have always used a swivel since I hate: a)tying line to line, and, b)line twist. Even use it when dragging tubes for smallies.

Nice thing is, I was in a boat with Steve Clapper and noticed that he does the same thing (swivel). Makes me feel like I'm doing at least one thing right! It was quicker to tie on new rigs too. Cant remember if he used braid though.

[movedhere] Fishing Tackle [move by] five.bass.limit.

Thanks guys, I will try a 8 foot leader and work down from there.

Branuss04, the reason I am trying braid is because it does not react to line twist nearly as badly as fouro on a spinning reel. Wind knots and rap arounds are a major pain on a kayak, where I do most of my fishing.

Jig man, I'll let you know how it works, this is my first try at Clearlake.

TimJ, I had no idea you could get a swivel strong enough and small enough to fit through. Thanks for another excuse to visit the tackle shop!