New to the sight and this is my first post. Was wondering and I’m sure this has been discussed several times before. Do most of you used a leader between your braid and lure, or do you tie your lure directly to your braid? I’ve used both and have caught fish either way, just wondering what your thoughts are, if there is or isn’t an advantage to either one.
Thanks
I’ll preface my response by saying I only throw artificial lures.
The only time a leader is never considered is when I’m throwing topwater baits. I don’t ever use a leader (tie the lure straight to braid) when throwing topwater baits.
Granted, if I know the water is going to be clear, I’ll use fluorocarbon leaders then. If the water has some color to it, I don’t worry about a leader. If I’m not getting any bites, then I’ll tie on a leader and see if that makes a difference. I’ll use fluorocarbon leaders as light as 10lb test and as heavy as 20lb test, depending on what I’m fishing for, how finicky the fish are and the “terrain” I’m fishing. The majority of the time, I start out with a 14lb test Sunline Sniper FC leader.
Some will tell you not to use a leader at all. Some will tell you not to use fluorocarbon. Some will tell you not to use braid at all. Some will tell you to only use a particular color of braid. Bottom line, play with it and find what works best for you and the particular fishing situation you’re faced with. I have confidence in my setup and I believe confidence is one of the most important things to have in the boat every time you hit the water.
Welcome aboard!
God bless the “ignore” function.
I like to use a leader with all my artificials. Not so much for stealth (although that’s nice), but for a stiffer section of line before the lure. I find that braid likes to wrap itself around stuff, especially treble hooks. Obviously this makes more of a difference on hard plastics with trebles, but I’ve gotten into the practice of using it regardless, so I can switch up lures as I want.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
I used to never use a leader and fished with my buddy who always used it. We both would catch fish, very similar in numbers and sizes. I use only braided fishing line(green is my color of choice) and will also always use a leader. I will give examples as to why I do this now. First, when fishing topwater lures, I was having a large percentage of casts result in line wrap(braid) on my treble hooks. Beyond frustrating watching your buddy pull fish in while you’re constantly unwrapping braid from the hooks. A small, 12" section of fluorocarbon made all the difference. Secondly, if I’m fishing water that has any clarity to it, I will always use fluorocarbon. Typically 12-18" and the reason for the added length is if I want to cut line to change lures. I predominantly fish artificials so fluorocarbon is standard for me now. But, there are definitely people that don’t use it and catch fish, as I said, I was one of them.
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
The only reason I don’t use a leader, especially fluorocarbon, when topwater fishing is because fluorocarbon is more dense than water and will sink. This will affect the action of your topwater baits. It’s not as noticeable on baits like buzzbaits or other “straight retrieve” baits but for “walk the dog” style baits and poppers, the sinking line will affect their action.
God bless the “ignore” function.
quote:
Originally posted by bangstickThe only reason I don’t use a leader, especially fluorocarbon, when topwater fishing is because fluorocarbon is more dense than water and will sink. This will affect the action of your topwater baits. It’s not as noticeable on baits like buzzbaits or other “straight retrieve” baits but for “walk the dog” style baits and poppers, the sinking line will affect their action.
God bless the “ignore” function.
I use 20# fluoro and have never had an issue with the fluoro sinking the front of the lure causing issues with retrieve. Now, when I’m throwing topwater with fluoro, I only use a short section of leader material(less than 12") to prevent the braid wrap issue. If you use a long section of leader then yes, you will have front end lure droop and have issues with retrieve.
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
Not arguing with you. Just saying that because fluorocarbon is more dense than water, it does sink.
I’ve never had problems with my braid getting caught on the treble hooks of my topwater baits.
If it works for you, go on you. Gotta go with what you know.
God bless the “ignore” function.
quote:
Originally posted by bangstickNot arguing with you. Just saying that because fluorocarbon is more dense than water, it does sink.
I’ve never had problems with my braid getting caught on the treble hooks of my topwater baits.
If it works for you, go on you. Gotta go with what you know.
God bless the “ignore” function.
Haha, definitely not arguing bud. Just trying to let the OP know there are variables that can result in different outcomes. Definitely gotta go with what works for you.
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
20lb fluro leader… mainly because i like to tie a loop knot right to what ever bait I’m using and i have tangled plenty treble hooks into braided knots… if I’m using a jig thats going to bounce across oysters or rocks i definitely want a leader for abrasion especially if I’m using a lighter test braid…fluro does sink however mono floats and a lot of bass guys will use mono leaders for their topwater for that reason… fluro doesn’t stretch as much as mono so is in theory its more sensitive … and whatever you do don’t get caught up in special “leader material” I have a spool of 20lb berkley vanish fluro regular line that I’ve been using for 4-5 years and haven’t lost a fish to a leader failure yet.
Copolymer…
Thanks for all the responses guys very informative.
Rick
Rick
I use a short flouro leader, 20#, uni-to-uni knot. If I’m fishing nasty oyster banks, I don’t use a leader, just a bait hook or lure; keeps the rig from breaking off. I think if the bait is right, the fish don’t spook all that much on leader material… just me though… good luck!