Do you think a fluorescent red braid with a fluoro leader (12-17 lbs) would be good for flipping? I have heard a lot of guys say that they just take a sharpie and darken the end of the line without a leader...I am not too sure I am confident with this method. What do you think?

If your confident in a fluoro leader with braid, then by all means use it. Thats what I use. Some use straight braid while others use straight mono/fluoro. Use what you are confident in, that is what you will fish best.

I use a leader for 2 reasons. Flouro is more abrasion resistant than braid, and if you get hung up bad, the flouro will let go, braid won't. Make sure you have a good knot. I use an albright knot.

I rarely use a leader. Only when I am in super clear water and never for flipping. When you are flipping it is mostly a reaction strike and IMO any unnecessary knots is a hazard.

If your going to flip with braid an use a 12-17lb leader, your going to be breaking alot of leaders.

I don't do any leaders either. Most of my flipping comes from trees so I don't want take the chance of break off.

sharpie does wonders

In heavy cover, I tie direct. I sometimes marker up the last couple feet. What I like better is to swipe 1/2 the spool with a maker. Gives you a very visible alternating pattern on the line.

If your going to flip with braid an use a 12-17lb leader, your going to be breaking alot of leaders.

What test fluoro would you reccomend? Generally speaking that is, as I know it would vary in the conditions you are flippin in.

If I'm flipping I don't think I'd go with a leader lighter than 20lb test. I wouldn't use it unless you are in really clear water though, just another knot to worry about failing. I never use one because the only time I flip with braid is in grass and I highly doubt the fish ever notice the line in grass.

In clear water , I use 2ft of #30 sufix mono leader uni/uni knot , when it doesn't matter I tie straight to the hook with #65 braid.

I rarely use a leader. Only when I am in super clear water and never for flipping. When you are flipping it is mostly a reaction strike and IMO any unnecessary knots is a hazard.

I agree with this. Never a leader for flipping in heavy slop.

I rarely use a leader. Only when I am in super clear water and never for flipping. When you are flipping it is mostly a reaction strike and IMO any unnecessary knots is a hazard.

I was wondering; if I was using a jig and casting in the middle of rocks (not necessarly flipping into vegetation or trees), would I be better off using a heavier fluorocarbon rather than braid? Or do you think that this is a reaction strike like using a spinner bait and I would ok just to sharpie my fluorescent braid?

I personally fish rocks with straight braid as well. Just check your line often and retie when necessary.

Flipping in the Grass - no Leader

Flipping in the open waters, use 20 lbs leader

I go straight braid. I fish this in clear northern waters even. I think when fishing grass/pads/cane it blends in. I've never noticed a drop in productivity or fish running away from the braid.

I have broken off several flouro leaders and just started skipping it altogether.

I do use a leader on my spinning gear, but obviously the hook set is different.

Check it out on youtube, "Bernie Schultz Flips Big Bass", straight braid, no leader.

I either use straight braid or straight floro. I see no need to tie more knots than necessary and increase the risk of breakage. Your line is only as strong as its weakest part and many times that is the knot. I dont feel that I loose much sensitivity with floro, especially since it tranmits better on a slack line. The only time I use braid is for heavy grass or froggin.

braid w/ a 20lb fluoro leader in almost every situation, never had an issue although i will go straight braid depending.