The only thing I use a leader on is a Carolina rig. That and my froggin rod is the only ones that I use braid on.

Wind knots in braid are worse that the monkey or flouro for me.. idk

Never had any problems with wind knots. Use a leader when fishing clear to slightly stained water. Fg knot has never failed but u do have to test it before use because if it’s not right it will slip. Also can’t hardly feal it through the guides. It does take time to learn how to tie it so if that’s a problem just use the red Phillips knot. Hope this helps

I use braid with a leader on everything but crankbaits, topwaters, spinnerbaits, braid definitely has its nuances but i believe i have caught more fish and saved more money because of it, i have rods that have had the same braid on them for 5 years.

I’ve tried it. My connection knot would sometimes get caught in the guides. Anyone else have this problem? Those who don’t, what knot and what lb test braid and floro are you using?

Daiwa Samurai 55lb braid on all casting reels (30lb on spinning reels) with Seaguar fluorocarbon leader on some and Seaguar fluorocarbon line used as a leader on others. Fluorocarbon leader and fluorocarbon line are two very different lines. Most fluorocarbon line is somewhat brittle ( that is not able to take a sudden shock or impact over the length of the line) -- the cheaper fluorocarbon lines are the worst( take a length of the fluorocarbon line take a few wrap around each hand --leave about two feet of line between each hand. Now bring you hands together and spread them quickly( like you are trying to snap the line) Most fluorocarbon line breaks (especially the cheaper fluorocarbon line) . The fluorocarbon leader is able to take that shock( ie hook set). So I use the leader on all rod/reel setups that can produce that type of impact--ie flipping and pitching, swimming jigs and large swim baits hard and soft. I do use the fluorocarbon line for crankbait and spinner bait setups, and spinning rod/reel setups. The leader size that is used depends on the size of the fish, type of cover, and rod/reel setup. I carry fluorocarbon leader in 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30lb sizes. I also have the fluorocarbon line ( used as leader) in 10, 15, and 20lb sizes. Knot for connection of braid to leader: I have used all the above knots listed above and several more-- they all work well, but I find that I fall back on the "J" knot. With the heavy setups I use four to five wraps instead of the three shown on the knot tying videos. I never had a knot failure with the three or the five wrap (I just feel more secure with the five wraps.) The "J" knot is very small and passes easily through the micro guides. I do not put any knot on the spool of the reel the knot sits just in front of the reel except for the flipping and pitching rods where the knot sits just beyond the tip guide. All my flipping and pitching rods are 71/2 to 8 feet so that give me about 7 to 8 feet of fluorocarbn leader. ( a big plus for the "J" knot is that the stiff tag end of the leader points toward the reel--so it glides through the guides easily on casting. Most knots have the stiff leader tag end facing the lure, and on casting it pops each and every guide on each cast.) Sorry for the lengthy response.

I have 2 rods i throw with 3/16 and down, both have micro guides. FG knot works fine going through the guides, you'll hear it slide thru but doesn't doesn't really effect your cast or pitch.

Thats for sure!

20 lb Suffix 832 to12 lb fluro leader. I use a Dodd Knot; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uByQHnkHpPI&t=2s

Try it, it is easy to tie and is shaped like a bullet and goes through micro guides really well.

Cheers,

I have micro guides on some of my rods and fg knot is the only knot I don’t have any problems with. I’ve tried red Phillips , uni knot , Alberto and maybe others and they all snag or thump when coming through the eyes. Fg knot takes time to master but well worth it

I don't use leaders on baitcasters. Bothers me too much. Straight flouro or straight braid. Spinning gear I always use a leader with an albero knot.

FG Knot and the next one would be an Alberto not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUwQuOs6F_8

ya'll sure are trying to sell that FG knot as easy to tie ….. you aren't tying an FG knot out on your boat in 15 mph wind without an ultrex and something to shield form the wind..... no thanks

Same here.

I use 30# smackdown with 12# seaguar flouro, triple overhand surgeons knot with no problem at all. Easy to tie, have not had a knot failure that I can ever remember, and slides thru guides easily.