Do you use a leader?

[Greggys]

Whats up!

Got a question for you experts. So I go out fishing 2 or 3 times in a week (If its a good week). Up until this season I always used a wire leader, with the swivel snap purely for the ease of switching up baits/lures as I only own one rod. This season I bought a new rod/real and have been going hardcore and straight tying the lures/baits on the line. After several trips now I am a) losing line and B) getting a bit irritated having to keep tying on new lures if I wanna change up.

However on the other hand I havent really ever caught as many fish as I have so far this year. Im guessing its not due entirely to not having a leader but I like to think it might be a small reason that helps my baits/lures look more real in the water.

But as I said I'm getting pretty tied of it, and I'm hitting the store tomorrow to restock on some lures and grab some new ones so I'm gonna wanna try em all out and I'm thinking of going with just the swivel leader snap. No extra wire line attached to it, just the snap so I can switch up. Anyone think it will greatly affect the fish's desire to try a taste of what I got?

pike/bass are what I go for

 

[RedSkullz]

PIke...need a leader especially if they are big. I prefer to use invisa leaders as they are smaller diameter than regular leaders. Some tourney anglers(quite a few actually) dont use wire leader but make their own leaders out of 40 pound + flourocarbon. The flouro doesnt affect the lures action as much as wire and it is tough...every few fish you'll need to change it up due to nicks in the line.(same as wire leader when they get kinked). If you have tons of money the titaniium terminator leader work well, and you maybe double your fish before you have to change them up due to kinking. I am going out for northerns tomorrow, the lake we are going to is supposed to have a good population of 10-15 pound pike, so its time to pull out the magnum baits. Will take some pics of pike over 10 pounds if we get into them.
Hope that helps
Oh yes....dont buy the cheapest leaders or you will regret it when you get a 20 pound northern and it breaks your cheap leader.

 

[getin]

I went for bass with and without a FC leader, did not notice any preference, as both did very well. I was using braid and they say that in depths great than 3 ft, briad becomes invisible, just like FC. I personally am not going to use any leader from now on. Aas for Pike, they canot cut through the briad but every once in a while you need to cut ~ 10 inch of the line tip as it gets beaten up

 

[NADO]

I think snap swivels dont really make a difference with bigger spoons and #5 spinners, many people say you have to use them to stop the line from twisting. With live bait like minnows and worms id say stay away from the swivels as they will decrease your hookups.

 

[Float_On]

After a few more outings of tying lure directly on your mainline, you will notice that it's not a big deal.
When you get better at knot tying you will be able to tie a knot nearly as fast as you can fumble and try to resnap some of the cheaper swivel snaps.
I'd have to agree that if you're throwing hardbaits or spinners/spoons then the swivel isn't a big deal, but if you have a soft plastic or livebait that a fish can examine, they might get a bit shy of your 50lb aircraft wire.

 

[PainInTheBass]

Pike can and will cut through braid; don't let anyone tell you they won't. I use braid for everything. I have used 25 lb fluoro leaders with success for pike, and have not been bitten off yet (knock on wood). For rigs specific to bass, I will tie a 8-12 lb fluorocarbon leader for ess visibility. Whether this helps or not, I am unsure. For soft plastics, I tie directly to the hook and retie if needed. For moving baits, I use a snap to allow for some movement at the eye (which I think improves the action). If using briad, twist is not as big an issue as when using mono or fluoro.

 

[fisher12]

So its okay if you don't use a FC leader for bass if you're using monofilament as the main line?

 

[NADO]

I think its a tradeoff really, dont use a tough leader and have more hookups or use a tough leader hookup less and land more. I have this one spot where I land 2-4 nice 26" pike pretty much every time I go, I always use braid with a hook and minnow under a float and I dont remember the last time I lost one. I landed my biggest pike 35" on 4lb mono while fishing for perch but that was just lucky.

 

[RedSkullz]

Pike can and will cut through braid; don't let anyone tell you they won't. I use braid for everything. I have used 25 lb fluoro leaders with success for pike, and have not been bitten off yet (knock on wood). For rigs specific to bass, I will tie a 8-12 lb fluorocarbon leader for ess visibility. Whether this helps or not, I am unsure. For soft plastics, I tie directly to the hook and retie if needed. For moving baits, I use a snap to allow for some movement at the eye (which I think improves the action). If using briad, twist is not as big an issue as when using mono or fluoro.

Absolutely...even 30 pound braid can be severed by pike's razor sharp teeth(and it doesnt even have to be a big pike). I've seen it happen a few times for sure. My buddy used to use 15lb flouro leaders for pike, but he had a few bit off and then he went to 25. After a few bite offs there, he took heed of advice of big pike and muskie anglers and went with 50 pound flouro leaders. No problems with bite off's so far on the 50. There is no leader that is completely invincible to pike, except maybe saltwater wire leaders, and maybe titanium leaders.(but i have little to no experience with either) Ive seen a couple of (not cheap) wire leaders get severed.
Really it all comes down to how the pike/muskie is hooked. A perfect hookset in the corner of the mouth of a giant pike/muskie and you can get 'em on 2 pound test, but if you are really after some big ones, set up the gear accordingly.

 

[diggyj]

Bass Pro sells a swivel that you don't need to pinch to open, it is great for colder weather as sometimes they can be difficult to open when your fingers are numb. You just twist the lure on and it is gaurenteed not to come off. Don't know who makes them. I always use leaders for all types of fishing. Either Berkley big game 25 lb for musky or pike and fluro for everyhting else, love Maxima or Seaguar.

Dirk

 

[RedSkullz]

For mono berkley big game is all i use now. Great line at an amazing price.

 

[Greggys]

got a very fun battle from a 25inch pike the other day. Nothing huge but a good few pounds. No leader, lure tired directly on and the line won.