Leader VS No Leader ?

Who uses a leader while fishing for the basic sunfish? What are the reasons why and the advantages?

Curtis...I used to use a leader (swivel 12 inches above hook) & the main reason was to minimize line twist, but eliminated the leader all together in 2019 due to switching to the Spinshot dropshot setup, which accomplishes the same outcome.

Typically, I never use a leader for sunfish. I just tie the hook directly to the line then place a split shot above the hook. I will use this technique even on monofilament up to 30 pound test. With this setup if a 10-pound bass hits my earthworm I still have a good chance at landing it. The exceptions are if I am fishing an area that has very high fishing pressure, or if I am losing a lot of bait because of small fish. To catch the smaller fish, I will slip a very small hook on a leader through the existing hook eye, then bait both hooks.

For the past year I have been using Gliss Monotex line about 90% of the time and have been experimenting with different types of leaders and no leader. Essentially, the Gliss line is an uncoated braid. Not as slick and uniform as Nanofil or 832, but not as unforgiving as PowerPro or Spider Wire. The braid would snap on the hook set when a jig was tied directly to the Gliss, no leader. No matter how much I loosened the drag, more than half the time it snapped at the knot. Next I tried to tie a 3’-4’ shank of my regular monofilament line to the Gliss as a leader. First I tried with the blood knot I usually tie, but it slipped way too much. Next I tied it with an Alberto knot and it worked great but the line would break on the line to line tie about 50% of hook sets. I tried fluorocarbon lines with the same result. I finally tried Maxima Ultragreen fly leader monofilament and it works superbly. Now I get super long and accurate casts with all the stealth of a green mono line. Best of both worlds.

I have never used a leader while fishing for the sunnies or Rios.

I use a leader when fishing with Nanofil (or any high vis line). Why ? Because I have proven with repeated tests that sunfish are line shy.

I’ve use an 8 foot leader of 4-6 lb fluorocarbon directly tied to the main line with a double UniKnot.

+1

Use leader all the time fishing for Striped Bass, Fresh Water Reds, LMB, White Bass! Do not fish for the sunfish.




Side Note: Casting and line viability are the two major reasons.

Gitter...You have repeatedly said you don't fish for sunfish...We are going to have to change that next spring/summer...I bet we can make a believer out of you...

I use a straight leader for Sunfish, no tippet.