TackleTour

Why do guys use braid and then make a flouro leader? When would it be good to do this?

Some people think visible braided line scares the fish away!

Abrasion resistance, less visible underwater, sound dampening, shock resistance, money saving (retying baits doesn't cut into main line supply on reel), and more that I'm forgetting.

For me it's mostly about visibility when fishing in clear water.

I use a fluro leader any time I'm in clearer water.

I'll throw in another variable that no one has mentioned...if you get snagged, fishing in deep water with cover, or around boat docks, etc, breaking off with heavy, straight braid can be next to impossible, or sometimes almost dangerous to you or your gear....yes, many times you can straighten the hook and retie, but sometimes that doesn't work.

zoott wrote:Why do guys use braid and then make a flouro leader? When would it be good to do this?

I use braid on all my reels and sometimes combine it with a relatively heavy fluoro leader. This setup is very usable when targeting perch and zander as these two species can be very hesitant to strike when facing a metal leader or braid tied directly to the bait.

Every lake in my proximity that holds perch or zander also holds large quantities of northern pike, 20lb fish are pretty common wherever I go. I use 55lb Samurai Braid on a couple of reels, this heavy braid usually snaps right off when it comes in contact with the sharp teeth of the northern pike.
The fluoro isn't indestructable when exposed to pike teeth but a heavy leader of this material will usually stand 4-5 northerns without breaking.

A heavy mono might work the same way, especially when it comes to abrasion resistance, but as I believe the flouro helps me trick that hesitant fish I might as well go with it.

Afrayedknot wrote:Abrasion resistance, less visible underwater, sound dampening, shock resistance, money saving (retying baits doesn't cut into main line supply on reel), and more that I'm forgetting.

This post pretty much nails it along w/the one that mentions the benefit when it comes to breaking off a snag.

So when would be a good time to do it? I guess when you feel like any of the above reasons seem logical or if something is affecting your confidence.

Leaders tangle in trebles less than limp braid when walking top water baits and jerkbaits. Fewer tip wraps when casting.


oe

I just fished this weekend with a buddy in water that had about 8 feet of water clarity. I was using braid with a 2 foot FC leader, he was throwing straight FC. Even whenever we were both using the same lures, he was still seeming to catch more fish than me.

fishballer06 wrote:I just fished this weekend with a buddy in water that had about 8 feet of water clarity. I was using braid with a 2 foot FC leader, he was throwing straight FC. Even whenever we were both using the same lures, he was still seeming to catch more fish than me.

I normally use a 6 or 7 foot leader. Maybe the braid and knot were still too close to the bait.

DaveJ

IlliniDawg01 wrote:

fishballer06 wrote:I just fished this weekend with a buddy in water that had about 8 feet of water clarity. I was using braid with a 2 foot FC leader, he was throwing straight FC. Even whenever we were both using the same lures, he was still seeming to catch more fish than me.

I normally use a 6 or 7 foot leader. Maybe the braid and knot were still too close to the bait.

DaveJ

My inital thoughts as well ... 6' is my min. length for reaction or bottom contact lures.

I do braid to FC when I'm working around docks and rocks. Braid gets roughed up a lot easier that the tough FC leader. The "invisibility adds to my "confidence" as well. Make sure you use the actual leader material and not just FC line. The leader is made from a tougher, more quality FC than FC line is. The line has to take casting into account so, the line losses some of the qualities FC leader has to be more limp for casting.

Line manageability, sensitivity, some shock absorbency over braid... Plus invisibility in clear water.

Fishinfanatic115 wrote:Plus invisibility in clear water.

I would buy "less visible" in clear water...


oe