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To use a fluorocarbon leader or not?

Posted on 11/19/17 at 4:23 pm
Posted by Rehage7
Denham Springs
Member since Jan 2007
200 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 4:23 pm
I have almost gone exclusively to braided line for all my set ups. I have used 30 lb Power Pro and Suffix 832 and have never used a leader. I bass fish and saltwater fish for trout and reds. Trout fish with a cork set up and a 1/4 oz jig head w artificial. I fish for reds mostly with spinner baits and dead shrimp when all else fails. What is main purpose for using a leader? Is it the fish seeing the braid? Is is better to have a little stretch when fighting big red? I am looking for any thoughts and opinions on this. Thanks
Posted by SeaPickle
Thibodaux
Member since May 2011
3133 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 4:32 pm to
I do for my braid. Helps with fish seeing it and stretch like you said
Posted by go_tigres
Member since Sep 2013
5159 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 4:39 pm to
I used to not use leaders, but I changed a couple years ago. I feel like I can fee the bite a little earlier especially in colder weather when the soft bite.
Posted by johnnyrocket
Ghetto once known as Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2013
9790 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 4:44 pm to
When fishing in open clear water like the hwy 11 bridge on lake Pontchtrain, fishing in deeper open water in an open bay for trout, and areas where the water is clear a fluorocarbon leader is good.

I just use P-line that is coated to make it act like a fluorocarbon when the line is really a copolymer line.

In grassy lake, chunking in Lilly pads, dirty water not just dirty water on a the top of the water a straight braid no leader is ok.

Again, everyone has different opinions.

Posted by CFDoc
Member since Jan 2013
2095 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 5:03 pm to
Still haven’t understood the leader craze.

Several years ago Jet was running some ridiculous deals on 832 braid and I loaded up with thousands of yards of 20, 40, and 65 pounds. So I’m straight braid.
This post was edited on 11/19/17 at 5:04 pm
Posted by Uncle JackD
Member since Nov 2007
58639 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 5:08 pm to
I’m thinkin of giving braid another try... y’all prefer power pro or 832?
Posted by A_bear
baton rouge
Member since Sep 2013
1965 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 5:23 pm to
I only bass fish and I use braid on every pole except my crankbait rods. I never use a leader. I don't see the point in using braid and then putting weaker line on the end. That makes no sense to me. Might as well not even have the braid to begin with. I feel like fish are so focused on the bait, they'll never see the line. And I also feel that fish aren't smart enough to have the thought process of going "oooooohhhhh I see the line! You almost got me but I saw your braid. Nice try."
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81631 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 5:24 pm to
No need for fluoro south of I-10.
Posted by PillageUrVillage
Mordor
Member since Mar 2011
14788 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 5:42 pm to
The only time I ever use a leader is on a Carolina rig. The rest of the time I'm straight line all the way.
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
14290 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 5:59 pm to
sufix 832 is the best braid I have used, I use seaguar premier leader 25lb. leader. Have used this combo for a while now and fish almost every week. The leader really holds up well for many fish.
Posted by fishfighter
RIP
Member since Apr 2008
40026 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 6:03 pm to
Tuna fishing, you better use a leader if using power pro or the likes. hell, they can see a hook when you chum fishing at night.
Posted by CP3
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
7406 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 6:11 pm to
quote:

Tuna fishing


Pink flouro is tGoat
Posted by dawg23
Baton Rouge, La
Member since Jul 2011
5065 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 8:07 pm to
I use 30 -50 lb. braid on everything. Never use any type of leader (except Carolina rigs).

If fish can see, and pay attention to, braided line tied to a bait, seems like they'd be spooked by those shiny hooks and painted lures.
Posted by chellelsu
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2009
144 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 9:12 pm to
trout setup for me. 65lb. suffix braid...40lb fluoro leader. Fishing for bigguns in the rigs at the mouth of the river. I like it cause when you hook a red, you can bulldog him by thumbing the spooling. Also...Treble hooks are a must.
Posted by Tigerhead
Member since Aug 2004
1176 posts
Posted on 11/19/17 at 10:34 pm to
I use a fluorocarbon leader to save my braid. I tie 3 ft of 20 lb fluorocarb leader on all of my rods and if I want to tie on a different lure, then I'm cutting the leader instead of the braid. Sometimes I can go three or four trips without ever touching my braid. No special scissors or anything required to make a lure change.
Posted by Wtodd
Tampa, FL
Member since Oct 2013
67488 posts
Posted on 11/20/17 at 6:29 am to
I started using a fluoro leader on my braid a few months ago but only when fishing with flukes.

quote:

Is it the fish seeing the braid?

A question asked by many and no one can answer; except the fish.

Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81631 posts
Posted on 11/20/17 at 7:19 am to
quote:

40lb fluoro
Damn...
Posted by rballa19
Lake Charles, LA
Member since Oct 2009
4379 posts
Posted on 11/20/17 at 7:39 am to
quote:

I feel like fish are so focused on the bait, they'll never see the line. And I also feel that fish aren't smart enough to have the thought process of going "oooooohhhhh I see the line! You almost got me but I saw your braid. Nice try."


I know I've been fishing at Toledo several times and been catching fish while my partner is not. Only difference is I'm using flourocarbon and they're using braid. They switch to mono or flouro and start catching fish.
Posted by Wtodd
Tampa, FL
Member since Oct 2013
67488 posts
Posted on 11/20/17 at 7:48 am to
quote:

been catching fish while my partner is not. Only difference is I'm using flourocarbon and they're using braid

Which is when I started using one. My hang up with the leader was twofold: first fluoro can nick up quicker than mono but mono stretches more and the second I hadn't found a knot I like UNTIL my friend showed me what he was using and now I swear by it....modified Albright knot. I have the link on my phone just in case I need it.
Posted by tipup
Member since Sep 2005
1649 posts
Posted on 11/20/17 at 7:59 am to
I use fluoro when chunking for tuna or free lining for mangroves. That's about it.
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