I almost always have a Wacky Senko rig tied on. I don't throw it that much but during certain times of the year on certain lakes it is a consistant technique that catches a lot of fish. Over the years I have tried about every combination there is and I ended up with this simple rig. I use 20lb Sunline XPlasma braid period. No leader. Tried about every combination with different lines and when I was still experimenting ended up using 12lb Mean Green CoPolymer. But I got tired of trying different knots so one day I just tied the braid directly to my hook and caught a ton of fish that day and have eliminated the leader all together and have never looked back. Am I just crazy to think I catch as many fish now without the leader than when I used one or do you think if I am catching fish with my rig now I could actually catch more fish using a leader and just don't know it. I don't think I will change but just curious what you think. I got this tip to not use the leader from a pro years ago that his opinion was he didn't see the advantage of the leader.

The leader has no effect on bite frequency, unless in ultra clear water......but does give you some forgiveness with bigger bass close to the boat if the hook went through the side lip.....less chances of headshakes tearing the hole significantly bigger and loosening the hook.....with braid, there is no stretch, and it's nice to have a little stretch when fighting the fish in close proximity.

I agree with the first part of this. On most of the Texas lakes a leader is not needed but might help slightly in the summer or fall when water clarity may be an issue. I don't believe the minute amount of stretch in a leader has a significant effect on head shakers getting off. Comparing braid to mono or co overall (with no leader) it would. MY

Agree with no leader necessary. I like this braid because it sinks

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/YGK_XBRAID_OHDRAGON_X4_Sinking_Braided_Line/descpage-OHDRAG.html

I believe Daiwa has a sinking braid coming out this spring as well.

I have gone exclusively to the 832 in Camo. If I need a Senko to fall a little faster, I insert a 1/64 oz nail weight in the center. The Camo has just enough break-up that I can still line watch the floating portion.

Hey.. I really like the Diawa 5 strand braid, it really casts better for me than Suffix 832. I vary between 10lb and 12lb Invisix floro for leader, depending on what kind of structure Im fishing.

BD

30# for everything. Fins Windtamer

I'll be watching for it.

Question for those answering braid to floro leader... Why??? If you're use 30lb braid to 15lb floro leader you just really throwing 15lb because it's the weakest link... And doesn't adding the knot at the main line to leader add another weak link, the knot???.. I'm a mono, floro guy... Tried braid a couple of time and I don't like it... I've fished Rayburn, Fork, Seminole, the Big O and just got back from 2 weeks fishing Lake Tohopekaliga and have never lost a fish because I couldn't get it out of the heavy stuff and broke off... Just wondering... Dan

There's several factors:

1) Visibility
2) Sink rate
3) Abrasion resistance


Flouro has some traits that braid doesn't, so you get the best of both worlds. I do agree that your weakest link is usually at the knots or the lowest pound test.

I throw braid to leader (usually floro). I use an FG Knot. My reasons:
1) More sensitive. I am relatively new to bass fishing. Like most, I learn from youtube and earlier on I learned from tactical bassin guys that you can essentially make a cheaper rod more sensitive by using braid.
2) Backlashes. I have no confidence if I backlash fluro. The couple times I have, it melts a weak spot in the middle of the spool. Your next cast and your lure and 20 years of line are now in the lake. I skip a lot of docks so that gets expensive and I don't like leaving too much line in the lake.
3) Cost, floro is expensive. I put on braid and it generally lasts a year or more. Sure I put lots of new leaders on in that time but you are only using 5 yards of leader at a time. Plus I can put different weight leaders on depending on application. Or cut leader off if throwing a frog or arig.
4) Confidence. I use an FG knot and I don't think I have had it fail on a fish. Maybe once or twice snagged on the bottom. I had a 30lb braid to 20lb abrazix on a reel and snagged a jack hammer underneath a dock. Thought to myself there goes my $18 chatterbait. I pulled and pulled and pulled. Bent the hook out and got the bait back. Braid held. FG knot held. Abrazix held and trilene knot held.


To me the downside is reluctance to retie, but I fish for fun so it's usually not a big issue to sit down and tie up a new leader. Plus I have gotten pretty good at tying an FG.

If you're using braid to lure yes I can see that... But if you're attaching a leader of floro to braid then it'll kill the sensitivity... Again weakest link... Dan

You are reducing some but not all. The stretch of a 10 ft length of flouro (using braid to leader) is still a lot less than 50 yards (all flouro).

The main reason to use braid in a spinning reel? Manageability. The stuff doesn’t get memory, no line twisting, doesn’t jump off the spool. The leader is what you are presenting to the fish, the braid is just to deliver the leader and be easy to use.