Using braid as a leader...

[Carp Addiction]

Im a mono type of guy, always have been. Tried using braid a few times as a mainline but didnt care for it and always went back to mono.

But I have noticed that braid still has uses for me. For example, they are much better for making hair rigs when carp fishing, because the stiffness of a mono rig will sometimes spook a carp away from the hair after investigating it.

My question is, has anyone ever used braid as a leader for toothy fish? I was thinking about running my mainline to a swivel, then a length of braid (thinking atleast 40lb) to a snap swivel for crankbaits....

Theres just things about the steel leaders that I dont like.

Any input would be appreciated

 

[curtis89]

I personally use fluorocarbon as a leader for all my rigs. From steelhead to musky, it is tough to beat. It is more invisible, have good abrasion resistance and doesn't do damage to the fish like steel leaders can. The problem with braid is that toothy fish can rip right through. It is strong but can cut through pretty easily.

 

[hamiltonangler94]

^^this

 

[Christopheraaron]

Don't do it! As stated braid is not at all abrasion resistant, it slices quite easily.

 

[W_boughner]

I use it and I am happy with it

 

[Carp Addiction]

Ok, thanks for the feedback guys. Very valuable info. Fluorocarbon it is

 

[dusty122]

no....inless your using 50+ braid.
i fish channel cats and get snagged all the time and i never had a broken line. but for the channels it dont matter what they smell they'll pounce on it.

for a leader use a 15lb+ floro. or just use a steel leader. or nylon. its what i use. floro is just about invisible under water. so that would be ur best bet.

 

[dusty122]

ops lol i just noticed u choose

 

[Carp Addiction]

ops lol i just noticed u choose

"

No worries, thx for the input!

Just dont like the steel so much anymore.

 

[mikeh]

Interesting, I do the opposite and use scraped braid for the hair only. I keep the stiff flouro for the hook length.

 

[Carp Addiction]

Interesting, I do the opposite and use scraped braid for the hair only. I keep the stiff flouro for the hook length.

Are you running fluoro as your mainline?

Or something else, in that case, what made you choose a stiff fluoro as a leader for carp, was it just to keep it anti-tangle?

I tie a short (5-10") knotless hair rig out of 15lb braid all the way to the desired swivel with an anti-tangle sleeve.

The 15lb braid is roughly the equivalent of about a 4lb test monofilament line. So its very thin and flexible.

In my experience, the more stiff your rig feels to a carp, the more likely they are spit it right away instead of giving it a good 'chew', or get spooked and ward off any others that were also investigating your presentation.

Mono has worked well for me in the past as an entire bottom rigging for carp, so I would assume fluoro would too. I've just had more success of late with a completely braided bottom rig :mrgreen:

-More flexibility, less visibility-

 

[Carp Addiction]

I personally use fluorocarbon as a leader for all my rigs.

I just picked up some 15lb fluorocarbon that I will be leading onto an 8lb mono main.

Am I going to be ok with the toothies do you think? lol

I just dont want to lose any of my more expensive lures to a hard-biting northern :roll:

 

[Kit]

Braid mainline with 6ft of fluro leader. Cant beat it.

 

[hamiltonangler94]

Yep braid with fluoro leader is where its at lol

 

[mikeh]

Are you running fluoro as your mainline?

Or something else, in that case, what made you choose a stiff fluoro as a leader for carp, was it just to keep it anti-tangle?

I tie a short (5-10") knotless hair rig out of 15lb braid all the way to the desired swivel with an anti-tangle sleeve.

The 15lb braid is roughly the equivalent of about a 4lb test monofilament line. So its very thin and flexible.

In my experience, the more stiff your rig feels to a carp, the more likely they are spit it right away instead of giving it a good 'chew', or get spooked and ward off any others that were also investigating your presentation.

Mono has worked well for me in the past as an entire bottom rigging for carp, so I would assume fluoro would too. I've just had more success of late with a completely braided bottom rig :mrgreen:

-More flexibility, less visibility-

Just a case of improved mechanics for the hair rig itself.

Haven't had any issues with the flouro being too stiff for the Carp as far as I know, (It's only 10 lb flouro). The scraped braid is extremely supple when compared to the flouro hook length, a long knot also keeps the hook angle aggressive. Result, reliable expelling of the hair back down the shank without twisting the hook point around. Fish ON!

I'm using Lupin as the hair bait with a slice of pop up for neutral bouyancy, so maybe thats why the Carp dont detect the flouro?..... until it's too late

 

[Carp Addiction]

Just a case of improved mechanics for the hair rig itself.

Haven't had any issues with the flouro being too stiff for the Carp as far as I know, (It's only 10 lb flouro). The scraped braid is extremely supple when compared to the flouro hook length, a long knot also keeps the hook angle aggressive. Result, reliable expelling of the hair back down the shank without twisting the hook point around. Fish ON!

I'm using Lupin as the hair bait with a slice of pop up for neutral bouyancy, so maybe thats why the Carp dont detect the flouro?..... until it's too late

^ Yes sir! ;-)

That works! Ever use feeders?

 

[mikeh]

^ Yes sir! ;-)

That works! Ever use feeders?

I still have weighted cages but don't use them anymore, I switched from method to packbait which is more common in Ontario. But now I rarely use pack either!
if I'm not sight fishing in shallows then I use PVA bags pinned to the hook and hair.

Ooops, I think we have hijacked the thread....

 

[John Da Silva]

i use 100 lbs braid leaders for pike and muskie

 

[dusty122]

lol cant go wrong with that

 

[Legend Boats]

I would recommend you use a kicker bracket to attach your secondary outboard. It has different levels of adjustments so you can raise and lower it depending on wave height. Check out the new 4-strokes, they provide a very quite, clean and efficient ride while trolling. With your size of boat anywhere between a 6-9.9hp would be more than plenty for your Double Eagle. If you choose a 9.9hp, it could also double as a secondary outboard for another boat. Hope this helps

Henry Nguyen