Power Pro Braid
- Thread starter Squirrel
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Edward Gerdemann
Well-Known Member
I don't use a leader with braid on bait casters as all I use braid-spooled bait casters for at Powell is topwater fishing where a leader is not needed. For techniques will line visibility could be an issue (jigging spoons) I use fluorocarbon as my main line. In fact, the only reason I don't use fluorocarbon for topwater fishing is because it sinks which doesn't allow the lure to work properly.
Ed Gerdemann
Dungee
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Thanks Ed and everyone else! Sorry to hijack this thread any further, but what brand flouro do you guys like best? And @wayne gustaveson said he has 12lb on all his set ups. Is that the best all around size? I only have two baitcasting set ups (besides my dedicated braid topwater) and want to have the most flexibility.
Mildog
Well-Known Member
A good tip as mentioned before, on bait-cast reels especially but I do on spinning as well, I use mono under the braid and wind the braid on tightly and only top off with just a bit more braid than your longest cast and a bit more for the occasional trim, you can fill several reels from one spool that way and usually you will not lose much braid if using a fluorocarbon or Mono leader, that should be the weakest point, so it should break there and not in the braid itself. Using a uni knot connection from the braid to the leader you will not have any issues reeling it in to the reel.
Last year at Powell I used yellow Braid (SUNLINE) (great braid) and as an experiment I tied directly to it no leader, I caught tons of bass, walleye and crappie without the leader, we were fishing in slightly stained to even clear water. I have fished that way at Willard Bay and Deer creek for walleye and it does not seem to bother the fish, I have no problems catching a lot on that set up.
On the text trip down to Powell, I rigged my wifes spinning rod that way she went three days and never lost a single lure and caught lots of fish !! I never had to re-rig her except for the plastics that were getting chewed up by the fish. She is sold and wants me to get her up that way all of the time. It is rough when you snag, you often will straighten a hook before you will break the braid, so I usually have a towel or something to grab the braid when I cant get the snag free and have to really pull on it.
Mildog Out
Last year at Powell I used yellow Braid (SUNLINE) (great braid) and as an experiment I tied directly to it no leader, I caught tons of bass, walleye and crappie without the leader, we were fishing in slightly stained to even clear water. I have fished that way at Willard Bay and Deer creek for walleye and it does not seem to bother the fish, I have no problems catching a lot on that set up.
On the text trip down to Powell, I rigged my wifes spinning rod that way she went three days and never lost a single lure and caught lots of fish !! I never had to re-rig her except for the plastics that were getting chewed up by the fish. She is sold and wants me to get her up that way all of the time. It is rough when you snag, you often will straighten a hook before you will break the braid, so I usually have a towel or something to grab the braid when I cant get the snag free and have to really pull on it.
Mildog Out
Dorado
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I think we all tend to ascribe more intelligence to fish than they really posses....after all, our lures/flies have big hooks sticking out of them, and the fish still bite!!!
But....I have noticed jigging for lake trout in really clear water with braid and no leader or a short leader that others in my group were getting more bites. I switched to a longer leader or mono and immediately had action. So I do believe it does matter...sometimes!
But....I have noticed jigging for lake trout in really clear water with braid and no leader or a short leader that others in my group were getting more bites. I switched to a longer leader or mono and immediately had action. So I do believe it does matter...sometimes!
Edward Gerdemann
Well-Known Member
There are days on Lake Powell where I could tie a lure to an anchor rope and catch fish, however there are also days when line visibility matters. The problem is you can't predict ahead of time what it will be on a particular day. That's why I always use a fluorocarbon leader when fishing with braided or fused super lines on Lake Powell except for fishing topwaters. It's not always necessary, but when it is you'll be ready.
Ed Gerdemann
Edward Gerdemann
Well-Known Member
I use 10-lb.-test fluorocarbon as a main line on my bait casters. I prefer it over 12 as I think I can cast it a bit further and it's still very strong. I'm now using 8-lb.-test fluorocarbon as leader material on my spinning rigs. As for brands I've used Berkley Vanish, Berkley Trilene Fluorocarbon, Seagar, Stren, Bass Pro XPS and Spiderwire Fluorocarbon. The only one I wasn't satisfied with was Vanish and do not recommend anyone use this stuff. I've been using Spiderwire mostly in recent times simply because it appears to be a good line and sells for a good price. I think most brands are OK except for Vanish. Stay away from it!
Ed Gerdemann
TYme2Fish
Active Member
For me it all depends on what I'm doing. For moving spinnerbaits/topwater I don't use a leader I just tie my 50lb power pro to it with a palomer knot. Although I have been contemplating using 17lb flouro lately for spinnerbaits. You don't need anything more than 50lb in braid, otherwise you can't cast it very far. The only reason I'd go heavier is when I'm punching, and there is no where to punch on lake Powell. Crankbaits I use 12lb flouro. For flipping jigs I use 17lb flouro.
I've had good luck with seaguar invisix and sunline shooter. As Ed mentioned vanish is garbage it's barely suitable for leader. As far as leader goes usually about a 3-4 ft is good. I don't want it in my guides as I cast. I use a uni to uni knot. Personally I hate using a spinning rig any more. You can't cast it as far and it's less accurate. I'll only use it for finesse fishing (senkos, drop shot, etc..) and I'm not a finesse fisherman if I can help it.
I've had good luck with seaguar invisix and sunline shooter. As Ed mentioned vanish is garbage it's barely suitable for leader. As far as leader goes usually about a 3-4 ft is good. I don't want it in my guides as I cast. I use a uni to uni knot. Personally I hate using a spinning rig any more. You can't cast it as far and it's less accurate. I'll only use it for finesse fishing (senkos, drop shot, etc..) and I'm not a finesse fisherman if I can help it.
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