topwater, braid or mono leader
 

i fish braid on all my reels, but use 6 - 8' of flouro leader when trout fishing. While i know trout shy away from braid tied directly to a hook, does it matter when fishing topwater?

If it doesn't matter i would rather that as it would be extra insurance from losing $7 baits...

If you can tie a good uni knot you shouldnt loose any. I like to have a fluoro leader because of the minimal amount of stretch it has compared to braids zero stretch. It makes a shock absorber so the hook sets better

I use a flourocarbon leader.

Do the trout really shy away from braid tied directly to the bait? Just wondering cause it seems like the would see 20 lb flouro before they see 30 lb braid that has the diameter of 8 lb mono.

Maybe when the water is really clear.
But the leader makes it so much easier.
You can grab it to handle a fish without cutting hands. Extends your life of braid.
Braid wont get caught in split rings with leader
Litte shock absorbency can't hurt.
Easier to re tie

can anyone post some pics of the leader setup?

Imagine a knot connecting braided line to a clear line.

Do you mean that the hook don't tear through a fish's mouth like it would with just braid?

I tie a uni to uni knot between braid and leader, then a uni knot to big baits like tops or suspending baits. I tie a palomar to jigheads

yes

I have been very successful with fluorocarbon utilize uni to uni.....

Nice illustration

I usually use braid to a 14lb mono leader. I like flouro but I'm usually in the marsh so I don't need it to sink. Like others have said, better shock absorption, easier to retie, and I find I don't get tangled nearly as much as straight braid.

God bless

thanks guys, as for if braid makes a difference, yes

Was fishing a few years ago with live bait and two of us were hauling them in while one guy had only caught maybe two specks to our 30 or 40. when he pulled his line up i looked and he had braid all the way to his hook. I pointed that out and said that i heard that specks shy away from that. He said really??? He picked up a rod with mono and double rigged plastics and started hauling in two at a time.

I have no issues catching red and flounder with braid to the hook

What length fluro or mono leader are y'all using?

http://www.animatedknots.com/albrigh...matedknots.com

Check out this website for tying leaders to braid. Albright knot is wonderful.

In my experience the leader is necessary for three reasons. One because the braid can be seen in some conditions by trout. Two, as a shock absorber. You will rip through a trouts mouth and loose a bunch. Especially on smallish trout. Third, the braid tends to tangle and grab hooks when tied directly to TW and twitch baits. I use 20 lb flouro. About 20". The uni not is cool but I use a tiny swivel. Works well for me.


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Seems like a barrel swivel withe a couple foot of fluorocarbon leader would suffice. Haven't fished much Topwater but I always use braid straight to my cork then fluorocarbon under. How do y'all guys rig corks? Also use braid to a swivel then fluorocarbon for a double rig.

Braid to cork then fluorocarbon

I was using 30 lb but just swapped to 20. Pretty big size difference diameter wise I think. Maybe it will help.

I tried this. Broke the 20 lb a lot on casts.


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Guess I will have to use it and see.

flouro
 

I have always used Berkley Vanish Flouro in 20lbs and have never had any issues with it on big fish. Wrestled in more than a few bull reds and black drum with no breaks. you can get a 100yd spool for about 10 or 12 bucks at wal mart, academy, etc

I don't use braid to fish topwaters, I like the stretch of mono. Use 12# mono with about 20 inches of 40# mono or fluorocarbon leader tied with a double surgeons knot. Use a loop knot at the bait for better action. For double rigged plastics I use braid to the swivel, then 40# mono double rig. JMHO

Some people say they use mono for topwater because it has a tendency to float. Fluorocarbon for suspended or sinking lures because it tends to sink. Makes sense to me.

I use a 6 to 8 foot leader of 20 pound seagar fluorocarbon tied to 20 or 30 pound braid, suffix brand. Make sure you moisten your knot with spit before you tie it down tight or it will weaken the leader