Braid line

I have a question for you guys who run Braid,Do you guys tie direct or do you run a leader.Been thinking about trying some out and what brand do you guys think is the best choice.Thanks

Strip off half or more of your current line, use a blood knot to connect the braid, You have to have mono or what ever non braid line on the spool as a backer. Most of the set ups I've seen they run a mono leader , double jig , minnow rigs what ever you like on 10lb test or less , The idea is the mono or floro will break but the braid will not. Important note when you snag use a old broom handle or something similar to wrap the braid around to pull it free from the snag, DO NOT USE YOUR HANDS. It will cut you to the bone. I don't use braid except on my cat poles and they have 60-80 lb braid on them , I can't remember the name but there is one brand that is color marked so you can use it for a depth guide ? Mr Goodtime told me a while back he may remember . Hope this helps

Its called Power Pro Depth Hunter. I use plain PP in 30# and tie direct to cranks or jigs. I made some spider rigs out of floro but didn't help much.

I use a fluoro leader on my braid but I don't spider rig only long line or jig. It has very little stretch IMHO.

I am trying Berkleys 4# Fireline with a 4# Floro leader tied on with a double albright knot, and I did Use some mono for backing but You can also use some black electrical tape instead. Berkleys super lines are not braid and not mono, but very similar to braid and the best thing is You can cast it a mile! I will use this for casting jigs (roadrunners) I am new to super lines and braids and am impressed with the feel.

I have used braid for years. Only leader per say is spider rigs tied from mono. Other that that use a Duolock snap and hook straight to jig, crank or what ever I'm using. Only reason I would consider a leader would be if I was fishing ultra clear water which we don't have around here. Never seen it affect the crappie or bass bite in my opinion.

30#. Where you fishing Shed Aquarium lol

I use PowerPro Slick8 tied directly to the jig.

Swimbait Fisherman...100% Braid user, since it came out!
I use Seaguar Smackdown Tourney Braid after using Daiwa Samurai for 3 yrs...the Smackdown is a 8 strand, solid core, ROUND weave...it is smaller, softer, and as strong as the Samurai, seems to have better abrasion resistance...never had any breakage with either.
No backing is needed for a good round braid...cheaper braid that flattens requires backing so it won't cut into itself...I use full 150yd spool, when braid "wears out" wind it on another reel to use "good end" of spool.
I use 20lb which is 6lb or less Mono dia...can pull jig heads and swimbaits free from almost anything.
Also use a hyper snap and swivel also for jig head changes and added swimbait action...never have used a leader...IMHO, a SLAB in stained water, is tracking and looking at that juicy, smelly, 3inch swimbait sushi, and not the Algae colored, large Hair sized fiber that it is attached to!:)

10 lb fireline crystal, like gobob said put a backer on first and it wont take near as much high dollar line. I just take a couple of wraps around my handle on my reel and use it to pull if it gets hung up and I cant pull it loose.

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Originally Posted by Gobob

30#. Where you fishing Shed Aquarium lol

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I don't like loosing equipment, ticks me off.

I use braid WITHOUT leader all the time on both jigs and minnows. Have not had any issues. I have two light rods rigged with 15 lb braid and two with 6 lb mono. This way I can get into thick brush and not worry about losing my jigs. Does not effect my jig or minnow action one bit.

I guide on a deep clear lake in North Central Arkansas and use hi vis braid 30# for cranks and 20# for jigs. I don't use a leader and have been known to catch a crappie or two.

I use 10/2 PowerPro hi-vis braid and tie direct to lures I use on that rod ... usually Roadrunners and Whirley Bee Pros, and sometimes even a regular jig.
I also have a outfit that I use Spiderwire 20/6 (grey) braid, that I've used for minnow/slipfloat rigs, and tie direct to hook.
Don't fish any waters I consider "clear to ultra clear", but even those times when the water is clearer than normal, I haven't had any problem with getting bites while using braid.

I'll second the idea of having a section of wood (broom handle, dowel, etc) to wrap the braid around when pulling a lure free. Braid will cut you, and it can also cut into cork or foam rod handles. I'd also add that a pair of Child's Size Fiskar Scissors comes in handy when you need to cut your braid. It cuts the tag end blunt, which makes it easier to put the tag end through small hook eyes.

... cp :kewl

A big thank you to all who have replied,Im gonna get some and try it out.

Power pro is what I use and its so sensitive that on my long rods you can feel the slightest of bites and can tell the difference between a bite and your line or jig rubbing on a branch. I have even felt a fish just suck a tube in for a taste without the fish moving.

People make breaking braid harder than it really is! I have seen some cut it with a knife at the end of the pole!! N crazy stuff!! All one must do is point the rod right at where it is snagged(straight line). Then hold the spool from moving and pull straight back!! When it breaks it don't fly back like mono because of how limp it is with no stretch!! I use braid 99.8 % of the time. I use it up to 80 pound and this has worked for me well!!! I use mono for catching bluegill. I also use it for spider rigs. The last thing I use it for is on trolling rods as a backing so I know exactly where 100 feet is at!!!! To tie it on the spool. I had a buddy teach me a trick about 20years ago!!! A small piece of black tape over the knot so it does not slip on the spool and all of the problems where cured!!!!!! Never gonna go back!! With braid I also use a little bit lighter tip fishing rod because you don't have the stretch of mono! My two cents!!

Thanks to all for your input , good stuff I think I'll get some power pro hi vis 10/2 put 100 or so yards on the end of each slab stick

I put 100' on my jig poles, 20 pound berkley crystal. The spool is 1/2 way loaded with 12 mono, then the braid is put on top. I'm not worried about filling the spool up, I'm crappie fishing, they don't run far.

Once the line is on the spool, I rig as I usually do (1/2oz egg, bead and swivel). Then I measure out 10', I take a sharpie and make a 6" black mark, then I measure out to 15' (red mark) and 20' (blue mark) and 25' (green mark). Been fishing, I keep the mark at the waters surface. The jig is one 12-15" of 10 pound floro leader, it almost always breaks first.

this makes it real easy to tell where your jig is and how much line is out. I don't loose a lead but every few trips, so I'm good for a couple break offs before the system isn't spot on. But when it gets "off", I use that rod and give my guests the set ups that are accurate.

Roger gant uses power pro 20lb test I use 10lb/2dia he said he can't see 10lb why he uses 20lb. I like timber brown great color. Bought some braid at Cabelas its green color in 8lb/2dia gonna try it out cause cheaper but power pro is really good!!! Like you said put it straight and pull straighten hook or break. I set drag lite so works great long lining the bnm roger gant "the difference" rods. They have very sensitive tip never broke one with fish but I break them myself a lot just clumsy lol.

I also put half reel in mono and on 150 yard of power pro I put 50 yards on 3 poles works very good and plenty extra for hang ups if you need to let it run lil farther when hung up you got plenty.

Power pro slick 10/2 hi vis no leader