Rigging question

[Cooter]

For those of you using braids as main line, how many use braid as the leader vs mono or flouro? Maybe we can clobber this one to death, eh Hanson?

[Dennis Steele]

I use the same pound test braid as the main line.

Lots of guys like to use a smaller test leader so that when they get snagged, they don't loose the whole rig.

I just don't like having a weaker section on my rig and I can afford a sinker and swivel!

I will use an abrasion resistant mono as a leader if fishing sharp rock. Berkley Iron Silk, or Big Game. Your less likely to cut mono over sharp rock than a braid.

[hanson]

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Maybe we can clobber this one to death, eh Hanson?

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Lets clobber it man!

I use the same line, 80lb PP. Honestly, I don't care about losing hooks, sinkers, swivels, or a few feet of line. I care about losing fish!! I had a little problem one night where I broke 50lb PowerPro on 2 consecutive flatheads. That one night might have been my best night all summer but I broke off, twice! "That Guy" caught one of the flatties that broke me of 3 days later and it weighed 35 pounds I believe. Darn!

I thought Dennis would say he doesn't use leaders a lot of the time. Its 2 less knots to be concerned about. Cast out, find bottom, and feed out a "little" line.

The guys up on the Red like to run a leader of less test and then can break the leader and save the swivel and sinker when they get snagged. They have a bunch of leaders tied up and use a snap swivel to connect to the main line. I don't know... thats not my game. I would almost rather have an extra rod rigged up and then cast that out while I retie the one I just lost.

[Dennis Steele]

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I thought Dennis would say he doesn't use leaders a lot of the time. Its 2 less knots to be concerned about. Cast out, find bottom, and feed out a "little" line.

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Your talking about the "Dark 30" rig.

That I only use for flatheads and then its not all the time.

One thing I have learned is that not one rig works for every situation.

[DARK30]

Don't forget the flying bobber and the UFO sinker I do use a leader when using cut bait and almost always with mono... I just use a piece off the main line. Lively mudeye bait will wiggle out enough to make a leader unnecessary in most situations for me anyway.

[Cooter]

I noticed it was still twitchin so we'd better clobber it some more.

I'm assuming(incorrectly most likely ) that the braid is used as leader material cuz its thinner, softer, more flexible, etc.? If so, are cats somewhat line shy? I'm talkin livebait and flatheads in cover, and while I've used both braid and heavy mono as leaders with success, I have more confidence in the abrasion resistance of mono, flouro. I realize the foot or so of leader may be insignificant. So I'm just curious(like George) why the braid as leader.

[Dennis Steele]

I know some guys who use braids for that reason. Softer more subtle and less noticeable to a cat. Those guys are great catmen.

I however, don't think that cats are line shy. (for the most part...(there are no absolutes in any kind of fishing)

If I am using braid on my reel, then I typically use braid as a leader. Dude....its pretty handy, its right there on the spool!

If I am fishing with mono, I'll use mono, but sometimes will use braid in faster water as mono has a tendancy to twist up pretty bad when your bait is spinning. Braid will twist but is less likely to get as bad.

Anyway thats just what I typicaly do.

[rushing]

I pre-rig my super line leaders with a swivel, leader material (same as main line) in various lengths for different situations, and hook. Then wrap them on one of them walley rig tubes for easy re-riggin at night. I also pre-rig weights using a dropper system with mono so if my wieght gets snagged up I don't lose anything but the weight.

[hanson]

Dennis-

I was just commenting to Dave the other day about our little trip to the Miss. last weekend. He was poking fun at me because I had my 9' Reflex spooled with 80lb PP. Thats my cat rod! Well, one of many cat rods now! Anyway... Brian had 30lb Big Cat mono in solar green on and I think Dave was fishing with 15lb PP or so.

So we had a very heavy superbraid and a fairly light superbraid out, along with a heavy hi-vis mono and there was honestly no difference in the number of fish caught. No preference at all with the channel cats we caught.

I think it may come down to what you have confidence in. I know what I don't have confidence in (50lb PP for flats) and what has worked well for me after that. And that is why I fish what I fish right now.

[rushing]

Yeah I don't think cats are line shy either. I like the braid since there isn't any stretch. I fished with the BigCat mono once and it felt like I was using a rubberband for line, especaily after I got it snagged and was tryin to bust it loose. I do however have one reel rigged with 20lb big game for channel cat goofin but rarley use it.

I am a big believer in confidence when it comes to fishing, wether its the spot you are on or the equipment you are using. You always seem to catch more when you have confidence in what you are doing.

[danlk]

Ifish from a boat so i use fairly light tackle 50lb braid main line. then swivel and short leader same test 50lb braid its hard enough to stick a big minnow in one spot . short leader is the key. DLK.

[rushing]

I like a short leader for faster water or tight to a snag but a longer leader in calmer water.

Welcome to the board Dan! Where are you from?

[danlk]

thanks for the welcome just a wisconsin guy.