Carolina leader matterial choice?

[keithdog]

I'm finally going to try using the carolina rig extensively. The trouble I've had with the weed killing thats gone on in my area lakes has fishing so screwed up I want to try a few new techniques and see if they work better than my normal approaches. I know how to rig and work the rigs pretty much but I'm not sure about what should be my choice of leader material. I am planning to use flourocarbon for the leader, but don't know what weight line I should use.
I'm fishing natural lakes without the structures you would find in man made impoundments. There are no flooded trees, deep creek channels, rock piles, submerged road beds or anything like that. I'll mostly be using the rigs around points, drop offs and deeper weedbeds if I can find any. I may use it around flats on overcast days and early in the mornings. Again, virtually no weed cover is left in the lakes. My gear will be as follows. A 7 foot Med. heavy IM8 graphite rod, a Cabelas Prodegy casting reel, loaded with 40 pound braid line to which I will tie the carolina rig. The 40 pound braid line sounds like overkill, but it's already on the reel for fishing in heavy cover and I figure it will telegraph well through the rod to detect any cover I may come in contact with as well as any pickups. Just not sure how heavy the leader line should be.

[Jim80]

somewhere between 10 and 14 lbs test you should try to match the diameter of the braid as closely as possible

[Buzz Wing]

I usually use something like 15- to 17-pound monofilament because it floats well. The fluorocrap... errr... fluorocarbon sinks and puts the baits in the weeds. Anyway, you don't need feel on a leader, just the mainline. Mono transmits just fine, especially if you're using braid as a leader.

[senko]

I like using flouro for the leader, just my thing I guess. I use somewhere around 12 lb. Seaguar InvisX

[BigBassin144]

For 40lb braid main line, I'd go with 10lb fluoro or mono. Or if you move up to 50lb braid I'd go with 12lb leader. Depending on what I'm fishing, I like fluoro the best. With no weeds like you stated, I'd go with the fluorocarbon over the mono because it'll give you a better feel. Although if you are fishing a lot of weeds, then as buzz stated, I'd use mono, although not that heavy (still 10-14lb)

BB

[fishin' fool]

Depending on water clarity, I use 14 to 17 pound mono. Always use a leader weight that is less than your main line, so if you get snagged you don't break the whole rig.

[keithdog]

Thanks for the tips. Thats a good thought about mono floating and flouro sinking. I hadn't thought of that. Good point about the leader breaking instead of the main line too.

[Jim80]

keith just remember the line your tying to is 40lb braid it'll take a major event for that to break

[Rebbasser]

Keith, I use 50 lb braid-40 ain't overkill. I use 17 lb Vanish-yes, Vanish, as a leader. I find while it isn't worth a darn as main line, it does a good job as a leader.

[pignjig]

Kdog, I use a fluoro leader for two reasons: it's abrasion resistant and it's translucent. Will a mono leader work? Sure. Like the guys said before, it's best to use a lighter line as a leader so's not to lose the expensive terminal tackle on hangups. But, one ting to keep in mind is that the heavier the leader strength, the more difficult it will be to break off when necessary. 10-12# has always worked well for me. And, unless you're using a really bouyant floating plastic or crankbait, the C-rig bait won't get very far off the bottom on retrieves or stay there during pauses, Good luck, man. The C-rig's a powerful tool in the right hands!

Ditto Reb on the Vanish...

[Captmikestarrett]

I use 20lb Flouro and 40 lb braid.

3 foot of leader too.

Capt Mike

[bothomas]

Braid and flouro. I use this on a lot of my setups: blades, worms, jigs( not flipping in the grass) etc. I like the sensitivity and I can throw braid a lot easier than flouro.