"Over lining" and ultralight rod

I am pretty new to the crappie fishing world. I have a St Croix Avid ultralight rod that I would like to use braid with. If I use 10/2 braid should I then use a leader that fits into the line parameters for this rod. The rod is rated for 2-6 lb. Is there a danger with just fishing straight 10/2 braid with this rod. I imagine the rod could break before the line if I were to get into a big enough fish.

Thank you for your help

Drew

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Originally Posted by dreveal

I am pretty new to the crappie fishing world. I have a St Croix Avid ultralight rod that I would like to use braid with. If I use 10/2 braid should I then use a leader that fits into the line parameters for this rod. The rod is rated for 2-6 lb. Is there a danger with just fishing straight 10/2 braid with this rod. I imagine the rod could break before the line if I were to get into a big enough fish.

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If your drag is set to slip in the 2-6# range, you should be OK. For comparison purposes, though, take a look at this thread:

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/panf...line-bluegill/

Thank you sir, exactly what I needed to know

Yeah, if you're using braid you will want to lighten up on the drag AND lighten up on your hookset. You'll also want to get a pair of Fiskar Child Size Scissors to cut the braid with (~$2 at WallyWorld) .... because it cuts the braid "blunt" across the tag end, and that makes it much easier to poke it thru small jig/hook eyes. You would also want to get a piece of wood or wood dowel to have handy when snagged (& using straight braid, especially), to use to wrap the braid around and pull the bait free or break the line. You definitely don't want to wrap the braid around your hand/fingers, or even your rod handle, as the braid WILL CUT YOU and may even cut into the cork/foam of your rod handle if you use it to wrap around. :twocents (trust me on this, as I'm speaking from experience !! )

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

Yeah, if you're using braid you will want to lighten up on the drag AND lighten up on your hookset. You'll also want to get a pair of Fiskar Child Size Scissors to cut the braid with (~$2 at WallyWorld) .... because it cuts the braid "blunt" across the tag end, and that makes it much easier to poke it thru small jig/hook eyes. You would also want to get a piece of wood or wood dowel to have handy when snagged (& using straight braid, especially), to use to wrap the braid around and pull the bait free or break the line. You definitely don't want to wrap the braid around your hand/fingers, or even your rod handle, as the braid WILL CUT YOU and may even cut into the cork/foam of your rod handle if you use it to wrap around. :twocents (trust me on this, as I'm speaking from experience !! )

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This is awesome information! Thank you!

I'd recommend a 3' - 4' fluorocarbon leader matching the rods rating. The reason is that braid is inherently less abrasion resistant than mono filament type lines. The fluoro also reduces visibility to some extent, but it's abrasion resistance is much greater. JMO. :)

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Originally Posted by Crestliner08

I'd recommend a 3' - 4' fluorocarbon leader matching the rods rating. The reason is that braid is inherently less abrasion resistant than mono filament type lines. The fluoro also reduces visibility to some extent, but it's abrasion resistance is much greater. JMO. :)

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and the other thing that 4f does is give you a Marker at 4f...to help with reference to line out

Whats the recommended procedure for connecting the leader to the braid?

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Originally Posted by yobuck

Whats the recommended procedure for connecting the leader to the braid?

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The best I've used is the double uni knot, just be sure to really moisten the knots and line in between before snugging down. It hasn't failed me yet, jmo.

Sent from my VS988 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

So, I finally got a chance to try out the braid/leader for crappie and it worked great! Used the double uni knot to connect the leader to the braid and off I went. Thanks again for all the help!

Fiskers are great! ! have a 'duzzon' of the that like to hide from me.

Just why is a pair of scissors called a pair of scissors?????

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Just why is a pair of scissors called a pair of scissors?????

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Same reason a "pair of pants" are called a "pair of pants" I guess :dono

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Originally Posted by yobuck

Whats the recommended procedure for connecting the leader to the braid?

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Learn to tie the FJ knot (finger joint). It is near 100 percent knot strength. No matter what terminal knot you then use it will part at the terminal end. I use 10 lb braid and 10 lb floro on all my light and medium gear. I size my tippet too break before the braid. You will drastically shorten the life of the braid if you break it often. I don't fish clear water often and fish around a lot of structure, current, and rip-rap so i like a little heavier line than most. I fish custom rods made from fly rod blanks and light or ultra light rods. If the rod breaks its because I made a mistake. Period. The braid, regardless of test strength, will not cause rod breakage, operator error does. Size your tippet/ leader to break just shy of the actual break strength of the braid. Forget the line test written on the side of the rod. It doesn't mean much.

Sent from my SM-J337R7 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Originally Posted by 8fishermen

Learn to tie the FJ knot (finger joint). It is near 100 percent knot strength. No matter what terminal knot you then use it will part at the terminal end. I use 10 lb braid and 10 lb floro on all my light and medium gear. I size my tippet too break before the braid. You will drastically shorten the life of the braid if you break it often. I don't fish clear water often and fish around a lot of structure, current, and rip-rap so i like a little heavier line than most. I fish custom rods made from fly rod blanks and light or ultra light rods. If the rod breaks its because I made a mistake. Period. The braid, regardless of test strength, will not cause rod breakage, operator error does. Size your tippet/ leader to break just shy of the actual break strength of the braid. Forget the line test written on the side of the rod. It doesn't mean much.

Sent from my SM-J337R7 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Well I do like that knot, but I usually only use that in conjunction with a doubled section of main line by way of a Bimmini twist. Especially with 2# test. lol

That was interesting. Learned how to tie the bobber stop's you can slide up and down your ling. duh! Should have figured that out long ago and didn't! Only tie the knot on one side and cut off the ends, slide's very well! Don't I feel stupid! :-)