Leaders on Braid???

[DaveW731]

I love using braids (especially PowerPro) for 90% of my fishing. However, I am paranoid about visibility, so I always use about 4' of flouro for a leader. Only problem is that there is an automatic weak link, especially when I am tossing scumfrogs into pads and weedmats and I have had a breakoff or two, when trying to pull a snagged bait free.
What do you guys think about leaders with braid? Always? Sometimes? Never?
Thanks for the help,
Dave

[cassidyta]

My answer is sometimes.
You are correct that you have now made a weakened point in your rig.
I would not add a leader to a frog I personally think this is asking to get broken off. I also don't add a leader when I am flipping into heavy junk. I feel that this is a reaction bite and visibility of the line does not matter as much.
I know guys who always add a leader and I also know a guy who never adds one. Even on Drop Shot.
I am fortunate that I have a couple of rigs set up with just braid for frogs and jigs. On the other rigs, I spool the line I want for the application.

[Bassboss]

Some times, Only when using slow moving baits, like jigs for t-rigs. I use an Alburto knot to conect them.

NEVER use them when fishing frogs through pads, or fishing heavy cover, unless it's cllear water. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, top water cranks baits, flipping/pitch heavy cover, and the like, never use a leader. T-rigs, jigs, C-rigs, and the like, use a leader, 15lb more, I like 17 though.

I used to use the uni to uni, it since I found the Alburto knot, it's all I use.

[cassidyta]

Originally Posted by Bassboss

NEVER use them when fishing frogs through pads, or fishing heavy cover, unless it's cllear water. .

BassBoss,

Why does water clarity matter, if you are fishing pads and heavy cover.

[Fishnngolfn]

If you do use a leader, I would suggest pure fluoro CFX leader. It is a little more expensive but most everything else is crap (IMHO). I use 20# suffix braid with a 15# CFX fluoro leader (about 4'). I tie the fluoro leader to the braid using a J-knot and I tie the leader to the hook using a palomer knot. I have not lost a fish with these knots yet. I also like Suffix braid because it is 6 strand braid and I get fewer tip snags than I do with the 4 strand Power Pro. I use this setup for my weightless plastic presentation and have straightened 4/0 EXG Gammy hooks before I have had a knot or line break.

I do not use a leader when I am frog fishing. I just use straight braid.

Hope this helps because all of the info I stated above came from others here on this board.

[Jim80]

No need for a leader in the muck and pads man or in really stained to muddy water where the fish are relying more on their lateral line to pick up movement in the water than their sight .


Jim

[BigBassin144]

Definately don't use a leader for frogs... also, a fluorocarbon leader is going to mess with the action of your baits.

Other than that, I'll only use a leader if I'm fishing clear water with sparse cover. And then I'd be more inclined to swtich to straight fluoro.

BB

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by cassidyta

BassBoss,

Why does water clarity matter, if you are fishing pads and heavy cover.

Haha, ya, I worded that wrong. I meant only use a leader in heavy cover if you're fishing in SUPER CLEAR water.

Frogs = no leader regardless of water clarity.

Heavy cover in clear water = leader.

[BigBassin144]

This past weekend, I was fishing a lake in MI that has vis of approximately 12'. Most would call that clear water I assume. The grass and pads are quite thick in this lake, especially around the shallow docks next to deep water.

I've never used a leader while pitching plastics or jigs in this lake.

BB

[dodgeguy]

never use a leader.

[WTL]

The thing about using a leader is, here you have braid's advantages; sensitivity, abrasion resistance, no memory, strength.

But a leader on braid and all of a sudden most of those advantages are negated. So, why?

Yes I would want the best of both worlds, I'm just thinking we arent there yet.

[DaveW731]

......Forget using braid with Scumfrogs and other heavy cover applications.
I do think that the confidence factor alone will keep me using a leader in more open water and finesse situations. I don't think 4' of 10#+ flouro leader impacts sensitivity much and I have not had problems with breakoffs: I tend to replace leaders pretty often, so abraision is not an issue.
Thanks again for the input. Tight lines, everyone!

[Jigger]

Originally Posted by WTL

But a leader on braid and all of a sudden most of those advantages are negated. So, why?

My thoughts exactly. I've never heard or read anything that makes sense to me as to why you would go to the trouble of using a leader on braid. Either use the braid by itself or use whatever you are tying on as a leader.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by DaveW731

......Forget using braid with Scumfrogs and other heavy cover applications.
I do think that the confidence factor alone will keep me using a leader in more open water and finesse situations. I don't think 4' of 10#+ flouro leader impacts sensitivity much and I have not had problems with breakoffs: I tend to replace leaders pretty often, so abraision is not an issue.
Thanks again for the input. Tight lines, everyone!

Wait, so you're not gonna use a braid at all when fishing scum frogs? So than you're gonna use mono?

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by DaveW731

......Forget using braid with Scumfrogs and other heavy cover applications.
I do think that the confidence factor alone will keep me using a leader in more open water and finesse situations. I don't think 4' of 10#+ flouro leader impacts sensitivity much and I have not had problems with breakoffs: I tend to replace leaders pretty often, so abraision is not an issue.
Thanks again for the input. Tight lines, everyone!

I don't think that is such a good idea. I Think braid is the best line for fishing frogs, and is the ONLY line I'd use. visibility is not even a factor when fishing frogs, so NEVER use a leader. And if you still want to, stay away from fluorocarbon for any topwater application.

I personally, don't think a few feet of fluoro messes with braid's sensitivity too much either. Fluorocarbon is very abrasion resistant, so it will stand up to a lot of abuse. But if you change your leader a lot, then I wouldn't worry about it. When I use a leader, I start off with about 3-3.5' of fluoro, and only change it when it gets down to about 18".


BB

[fish4942]

I learned my lesson today about top water lures and braid. I always used braid for top water poppers and frogs. Today I tied a top water on mono 12lb. Couldn't pull it through the weeds. The weeds weren't monsterous or thick by any means. Just snagged just right to where the mono broke off and left my lure stuck in the weeds. Never again.

[DaveW731]

Originally Posted by DaveW731

......Forget using braid with Scumfrogs and other heavy cover applications.
I do think that the confidence factor alone will keep me using a leader in more open water and finesse situations. I don't think 4' of 10#+ flouro leader impacts sensitivity much and I have not had problems with breakoffs: I tend to replace leaders pretty often, so abraision is not an issue.
Thanks again for the input. Tight lines, everyone!

Sorry guys!!!! I MEANT to say "forget about using leaders with Scumfrogs....." Everything else is accurate.
BTW: Got out last weekend, caught my personal best largemouth (4.75#, 19.5") on a wacky Senko. Yes, I DID use a flouro leader off of the braid. BUT: I also fished a scumfrog with no leader in the pads and weeds. Didn't get a hit, but was able to be fearless when I had to pull it free from some hangups. Going to try it again this weekend.

[Rebbasser]

I agree with sometimes. I usually use one on a shakey head and occasionally on a T-rig, but never on a frog or flipping/pitching. Plus, in stained/muddy water I don't worry about it, just tie direct to the braid.

[The Meat Fisher]

I run into the same problem a lot, I just use astrong knot. The alberto knot takes a bit of practise but every time I have to break my 30 pound test leader breaksa and the knot is fine!