Why You Should Use Leader When Fishing With Braid
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
Do you know why you should use leader when fishing with braid?
This is a vital step to successful inshore saltwater fishing.
Click below to find out the reasons why!!!
Why You Should Use Leader When Fishing With Braid [VIDEO]
Find NEW Saltwater Fishing Spots In Your Area In 60 Seconds or Less!!!
Get Fluorocarbon Leader Material
Get Monofilament Leader Material
When you are fishing inshore, typically, it is with braided fishing line.
Braided line has various advantages like being very thin in diameter and strong.
This enables better casting distance and enables you to put more line on the spool if needed.
The downside to braid is it does not really have much abrasion resistance.
If braid nicks anything sharp or rough, it usually snaps very quickly.
Another thing to note is braid does not have any stretch in it.
When you go to set the hook or while you are fighting a fish, you can possibly pull the hook or straighten out a hook if you are fishing with heavier gear.
Lastly, braid is not as stealthy in the water as clear monofilament or fluorocarbon leader material.
If you are fishing with monofilament or fluorocarbon as your mainline on the spool of your reel, you really don’t have to use a leader.
However, you can add a small bite-tippet on the end with a stronger line.
This helps with abrasion resistance if you’re going after tarpon or snook.
Or you can downsize the leader if you want a more stealth presentation.
Why Use Leader Material
- Shock absorption
Braid does not have any stretch as I mentioned before so the leader material acts as a shock absorber.
- Abrasion Resistance
Fluorocarbon and monofilament are more abrasion resistant than braided fishing line.
I have found the softer the material you are fishing with, the better the abrasion resistance.
If you are fishing with a stiff and rigid leader line, it tends to chafe much easier.
- Stealth
Finally, leader material is more stealthy in the water.
Fluorocarbon tends to give off less glare in the water if the sun shines directly on the line.
Monofilament tends to be the cheaper option across the board.
This is a hotly debated topic.
I personally have always used fluorocarbon material and it’s just what I’ve stuck to and become familiar with.
Whichever line you choose, leader line has its advantages when inshore fishing with braided line.
Get Fluorocarbon Leader Material
Get Monofilament Leader Material
Finding The Fish Help
In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.
1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)
These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.
2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)
This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.
3. Community Reports (live feed)
The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I know this is an older post but I have a question that I have never seen answered. What is the difference between using say, 20lb Ande leader vs 20lb Ande spooled mono? Is the leader made differently? Are there other characteristics to consider?
Hey Paul!
Leader material tends to be a bit stiffer than spooled mono. Mono that you use to fill your spool on your reel needs to be more limp for it to properly stay on the spool or it will “fall off”. Honestly, I have been using the bigger spools used to fill reels as my leader material since you get much more for the $$. I doin’t use Ande mono, but I use Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon. The small spools of leader material only have about 40 yards or so. The bigger spools used to fill reels have around 250 yards of line and cost around $15 to $20 (flouro is more expensive than mono, but same principle to save money buying the larger spools)
Thanks for the info Tony.
You’re welcome David!
Yes I agree when I first started fishing with braid 20 years ago I didnot use a leader and didnot catch nearly as many fish but once I started using a leader my catch rates skyrocketed where you and the majority of saltstrong lives and fishes central and South fl that is a leader is a definite must because of your clear water that you fish where stealth here where I live and fish is not really an issue because out water here is murky most of the year but abrasion resistance is needed wherever you fish and I do agree braid alone is not good for that and a leader males up for the braids weakness thanks for the info and all you do👍😉
Thank you for the great feedback Steven! Just a heads up we’re over 40,000 members now, anywhere from Texas all the way up through Virginia!
How much line should you use for your leader?
Hey Jerred! I typically use anywhere from 18″ to 24″. If the water is very clear and the fish are extra spooky i’ll use up to 36″. Definitely use a knot that is slim to attach your leader to your mainline, such as an FG knot, that makes it easier to cast through the guides if needed.
What knot is the best for bread. Bread does not do well with fishermen’s knot
If tying braid directly to a hook or lure, I use the Palomar Knot.Very strong and very simple. When tying braid to leader I will use an FG Knot.
Great informational video on leaders, Thanks.
You’re welcome Ron!
Tony
Enjoyed your video on leaders. How long a leader do you recommend?What knots do you use for attaching? What’s your take on line twist/ solution? And, at what point do you change the leader when it becomes short?
Thanks Tim! Great questions!
My typical leader is anywhere between 18″ to 24″. I will go up to 36″ at times if the water is very clear and the fish are spooky. I retie a new leader if the length gets down to about 14″ or so. I attach my leader to my mainline using an FG knot, which is a very slim knot that doesn’t hurt when you cast through the guides (especially if using a longer leader). If you have a lot of twist in your line the best thing to do is remove your lure or hook, set the rod in a rod holder and let the line out behind your boat or kayak as you idle forward. Once it is all out, reel it back in while keeping tension on the line with your fingers or a rag. Make sure when you rig your lures they are nice and straight or they will spin when you retrieve them, causing line twist.
Another very good video and Tony presented it well … It had great information in it on whether to use flora carbon line or just mono … I am beginning to think that I made the correct decision long ago to just use mono for all my leader material needs ..
However, thanks and another good video indeed … !
Thank you for the great feedback Thomas!
Is there any quality difference between Ande mono for the main line and Ande leader?
From what I’ve seen, “leader” material tends to be a bit more stiffer than standard line you would spool onto a reel. Softer material tends to hold up better against abrasion from what Luke has tested out.
Great video and tip Tony!!! It was a pleasure meeting you at the event
Thanks Pablo! Great to finally meet you as well!