I want try fishing with a soft plastic/jighead set up but I am wondering if I need to use a leader line or just tie the lure directly to my main line
I generally tie in about 3-4 feet of 15-20# fluorocarbon with a FG knot. Good luck
Pete
24 Regulator
18 Seacraft
16 Whaler
Thanks!
Jack Burg
Something else, don’t tie the leader to the jig head. Form a loop knot that will leave about an inch long loop ahead of the jig. That will give your bait MUCH more action.
ZX
What they said, also consider making the move to braid as your main line. Will make casting a lot easier particularly into the wind.
cheers
I’m not a Dr, those are my initials and I cant edit my user name. Please do not contact me regarding medical issues 
quote:
Originally posted by JackburgI want try fishing with a soft plastic/jighead set up but I am wondering if I need to use a leader line or just tie the lure directly to my main line
Jack Burg
I think it depends what your main line is. I use braid as my main line and will use a fluorocarbon leader 99% of the time. The only time I don’t worry about a fluorocarbon leader is when the water is dirty/stained and visibility is not good or when I’m throwing topwater baits. In both of those instances, I use straight braid.
A loop knot definitely allows for more action with your lure but keep in mind, especially when it gets very cold and the fish get very lethargic, “more action” isn’t always a good thing. The Palomar knot is my got-to but will use a loop knot when the situation calls for it. That said, I can’t say that I’ve seen a noticeable difference between different knots when it comes to getting bites.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
Braid main line
20lb yo zuri disappearing pink leader.
Doesnt matter what I am throwing or what the water conditions are.
20lb yo zuri disappearing pink leader.
always.
I even use a short leader between main line and popping cork. It keeps the braid from twisting around the popping cork eye.
My 2 cents worth for Trout and Redfish:
10-20# Power Pro Green Braid line with 2-4 feet of 10-30# Seaguar Blue Label Fluoro. Most of the time I use 15# fluoro and 10# braid but I generally fish pretty shallow water.
Loop knots for top water and jigs but uni knots for everything else including double uni’s for braid to fluoro. Fast & easy to tie with great strength.
That said anything posted so far will certainly work fine.
I just spool up with some 12lb trilene and tie jig head to main line.It doesn’t matter really,now get out there and keep them baits in the water.Welcome aboard and looking forward to some reports and pics from you.
Everyone’s opinion is a little different and nothing is wrong, its a matter of preference and confidence. I use 10lb power pro braid (green) for pretty much anything inshore. Its super thin and strong and hard to see and Ralph has convinced me that a leader is not necessary (using that braid) pretty much from March - End of November. I used to drink the leader koolaid also from popular opinion but I have watched him school me with no leader time and again and that convinced me to tie straight to the jig. Added benefits being less knots to fail and less to tie. A simple Palomar knot takes 3 seconds to tie.
In Dec through February when the water clarity is 5+ ft, definitely I will use a leader.
The exception is when I’m throwing plugs in the AM which is almost always at least in the aforementioned warmer months. I will use 15lb cheap mono, about 24", because it keeps you from getting fouled in the hooks. After a few years of schooling Ralph while he’s picking braid out of his split rings and I am catching trout, he finally started tying a leader and is convinced. I think I learned this from one of Mike Able Jr’s seminars once a long time ago. Great advice.
So, often I will have a leader but only because the sun came up and I tied on a jig. Usually by midday I’m down to straight braid again because I broke it off. With the combo of braid and leader I use, I have found a triple surgeons knot to be stronger than a uni-uni knot for braid to leader. Can’t be any simpler (3 overhand loops) - you could do it blindfolded. I can tell its stronger because uni-uni knots would always break at that knot for me, and when using a surgeons knot it usually breaks at the lure. That being said when you tie a triple surgeons you need to tie it right and always test it because if its not tight it will slip. Tight=STRONG
Hope this helps. Maybe adds to the confusion, but I will repeat that these are my findings using the lines I’m using.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sport
quote:
Originally posted by smanI just spool up with some 12lb trilene and tie jig head to main line.It doesn’t matter really,now get out there and keep them baits in the water.Welcome aboard and looking forward to some reports and pics from you.
I’m with sman, all mono and don’t have to worry about a leader. I have been using Ande Back Country for many years, very low memory + super tough.
I do have a couple of setups (primarily baitcasters) that are spooled with straight fluorocarbon and on those rigs, I don’t bother with a leader. I’m a big fan of Sunline (braid and fluorocarbon) but the other brands mentioned here are great lines as well.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
quote:
Originally posted by bangstickI do have a couple of setups (primarily baitcasters) that are spooled with straight fluorocarbon and on those rigs, I don’t bother with a leader. I’m a big fan of Sunline (braid and fluorocarbon) but the other brands mentioned here are great lines as well.
I dont use leaders. I tie mainline line, be it flouro or mono directly to baits. Why add another point of failure with another knot? Plus I dont see so good. tying a fancy knot takes me about 2 hours
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
For me
Good mono under 10lb no leader
Anything else a leader
Around sharp structure or teethy fish like blues and big flounder 20lb or higher flouro.
Different weight and materials change presentations. I prefer flouro for bottom and mono for higher and top water and braid for deep water or long cast.
quote:
Originally posted by OptikerEveryone’s opinion is a little different and nothing is wrong, its a matter of preference and confidence. I use 10lb power pro braid (green) for pretty much anything inshore. Its super thin and strong and hard to see and Ralph has convinced me that a leader is not necessary (using that braid) pretty much from March - End of November. I used to drink the leader koolaid also from popular opinion but I have watched him school me with no leader time and again and that convinced me to tie straight to the jig. Added benefits being less knots to fail and less to tie. A simple Palomar knot takes 3 seconds to tie.
</font id=“red”>In Dec through February when the water clarity is 5+ ft, definitely I will use a leader.
The exception is when I’m throwing plugs in the AM which is almost always at least in the aforementioned warmer months. I will use 15lb cheap mono, about 24", because it keeps you from getting fouled in the hooks. After a few years of schooling Ralph while he’s picking braid out of his split rings and I am catching trout, he finally started tying a leader and is convinced. I think I learned this from one of Mike Able Jr’s seminars once a long time ago. Great advice.
So, often I will have a leader but only because the sun came up and I tied on a jig. Usually by midday I’m down to straight braid again because I broke it off. With the combo of braid and leader I use, I have found a triple surgeons knot to be stronger than a uni-uni knot for braid to leader. Can’t be any simpler (3 overhand loops) - you could do it blindfolded. I can tell its stronger because uni-uni knots would always break at that knot for me, and when using a surgeons knot it usually breaks at the lure. That being said when you tie a triple surgeons you need to tie it right and always test it because if its not tight it will slip. Ti