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Braid/leader

Chris Thomson

Chris Thomson

Senior Member
Hiya, this is for the users of braided mainline. Do you all use a leader , mono/ flouro ,with it if so what are the pro's and cons if any ?
 
When I use braid I tend to use without a leader , never straight through but have the usual swivel then hook link. But I alway slacken the clutch off a bit more Never had an issue with crack offs or hook pulls . If I fish nearer to snags or rocks etc I switch to mono - not wanting to have any cut offs.
 
Always, I find it irresponsible if you don't. I use Gardner Tricklink in 25lb...
 
Jon Frisby said:
Always, I find it irresponsible if you don't. I use Gardner Tricklink in 25lb...
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Can i ask how you join it to the braid? I’m coming up to my annual Windermere pike trip and have been using shock leaders due to the rocks (60lb Whiplash main line) and although not lost any am not entirely happy
 
Pros are the mono acts as a rubbing leader so if you use a decent length ( I normally do about 18-20ft) the mono is laid on the bottom and offers much better abrasion resistance than braid
If you use a decent length you also have a bit of give in the set up for dealing with fish lunges close up / at the net - that’s all relative as on lighter braid ( say 15-20lb bs) I use 15lb leader but on pike fishing over heavy ground I use 60lb leader as I must be able to straighten hooks
But even 60lb mono has more give than 50lb braid
There is also an argument that mono is much safer if the fish roll on the line and is less likely to damage scales / fishes flanks
I have and do fish direct with braid but only when float fishing or lure fishing
My personal experience using braid straight through to a swivel or quick link when bottom fishing is too many hook lengths snapping - have the clutch set too tight, or get flat rodded and I don’t think there’s much room for error
Why use braid at all?
For chub fishing , better bite registration on a tip rod and I can use strong breaking strain but low diameter braid so smaller , lighter reels can be used if preferred
Pike fishing it’s about casting distance on larger venues and setting hooks ( although you obviously compromise this when you use a shock leader)
A con is a 60lb shock leader will cost you distance when casting vs straight braid but much safer and minimises a crack off due to a wind knot and the consequences of a baited trace and 4oz lead going astray
I think you also need to be mindful of rod actions with braid. Ideally I prefer a softer action to help compensate for zero stretch in braid but clearly not always practical if you need to throw half a mackerel 60 yards, but in rivers float fishing I use as forgiving a rod as I can
Barbel fishing - for places I fish regularly I don’t use braid , just strong mono
Inevitably I catch barbel when chub fishing and I do like the mono leader and the stretch it gives when the fish charge off when they see the net
Just how and why I do it and works for me
 
Nigel Whittingham said:
Can i ask how you join it to the braid? I’m coming up to my annual Windermere pike trip and have been using shock leaders due to the rocks (60lb Whiplash main line) and although not lost any am not entirely happy
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People swear by the Albright knot and I’ve used them but you need to practice
I have had one or two fail which is too many
I use grinner to grinner and touch wood never had a failure
Take your time, keep everything moist and if you can , test it with hook pullers
 
Nigel Whittingham said:
Can i ask how you join it to the braid? I’m coming up to my annual Windermere pike trip and have been using shock leaders due to the rocks (60lb Whiplash main line) and although not lost any am not entirely happy
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No shock leader for me, just adding unnecessary knots, 600mm of tungsten rig tubing and a couple of tungsten sinkers above deals with any abrasion problems, both for barbel and pike fishing, for closer work.
 
Paul Richardson said:
People swear by the Albright knot and I’ve used them but you need to practice
I have had one or two fail which is too many
I use grinner to grinner and touch wood never had a failure
Take your time, keep everything moist and if you can , test it with hook pullers
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Yes thanks, i was using double grinners (& still do for finer lines) but it just didnt sit right on heavy leader material so last year got to grips with the Albright (after a few attempts!). Always test my knots before use but think it was just confidence using a knot i’d not used before
 
Jim Gregory said:
No shock leader for me, just adding unnecessary knots, 600mm of tungsten rig tubing and a couple of tungsten sinkers above deals with any abrasion problems, both for barbel and pike fishing, for closer work.
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Yes good idea but we are fishing near to boulders as big as a mini so been using about 6mtrs of shock leader just in case
 
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