[Mike Hayes]

I personally use about 3ft of flurocarbon, this season I am also going to be using some mono leaders as well. But after reading that the actual length of the leader can influence the performance of the braid it self. I wonder if the different braid types recommend different leader lengths, also you'll be needing to take into consideration the actual lures you will be using. Food for thought?

 

[Dave Irving]

Mike,
I like to keep the main line/leader knot outside the tip ring, so my leaders tend to be slightly shorter leader than you do. Not sure if the leader length makes a huge difference to the bass, but I have found that it can have an effect on casting distance. I took Keiths advice and tried different drop lengths for casting. Net result slightly longer leaders for me this year.
Have to say though, the greater abrasion resistance of flouro over mono has saved me a couple of times this year, once was a schoolie that dived between two blades of reef. I could feel the leader grating on the reef, wore the leader about half through. But the hard compound flouro held.

 

[Retired]

Mike,
I like to keep the main line/leader knot outside the tip ring, so my leaders tend to be slightly shorter leader than you do. Not sure if the leader length makes a huge difference to the bass, but I have found that it can have an effect on casting distance. I took Keiths advice and tried different drop lengths for casting. Net result slightly longer leaders for me this year.
Have to say though, the greater abrasion resistance of flouro over mono has saved me a couple of times this year, once was a schoolie that dived between two blades of reef. I could feel the leader grating on the reef, wore the leader about half through. But the hard compound flouro held.

Same here, and with the doubled braid/double uni I am still getting the 20lb FC snapping before the leader knot when I am snagged badly. Gives me confidence in the knot when something is pulling the other way.

 

[Keith White]

I like to double my braid too, especially when it drops below 0.19.

I'm also pleased to hear that some guys have discovered that drop lengths can affect the
performance of their rods and casting.

I'm still getting to grips with the injection which defies logic. Normally softer tipped
rods require shorter drops. the Injection is extremely tolerant of a wide range of lures.

Me and the Squid today cast lures from 40mm and a few grams to 10g jig heads plenty
far enough to catch fish.

What is important is what happened when Chris had the bigger pig:-
Obviously, the Injection isn't going to lift a big Wrasse. We where perched
on some pretty precarious rocks and Chris had to slide said Wrasse inside and
under him. It brought the leader knot very close to the tip ring.

I asked him how long his leader was before I lifted the fish and Chris indicated
around 2.5 ft.

His leader knot was just, only just outside the tip ring.

At those angles, IF the fish had lunged with the know tight inside the rod it
would have been a disaster.

All was obviously well but it is something worth bearing in mind.

I prefer 1 meter at least but often more. Guides and inside diameters
play a big part in my decision making with leaders but clear water and slower
retrieves, and of course the rough stuff demands a longer leader imho.

At least, the very least, more than the longest length of any fish you might
hook.

I've not been sliced off since I adopted that formula even when fish wrap the leader
around them in a roll maneuver.

 

[Dave Irving]

Interesting Keith,
Never thought about keeping the leader longer than the fish in this country, standard pratice when casting to tuna/true mackerels though. If you have ever seen the wear a tuna's tail hitting the leader can create, you will know what I mean. Food for thought, although up to now, I have only had the merest hint of wear from playing a fish (ALWAYS change the leader if there is ANY sign of wear-you never know when that PB might take), Our bass don't seem to cause the leader damage that stripers do.

Yeah, you said that changing the drop effects the distance-and no surprise you are dead right. I found that generally I was using too little drop, and another 6-8" gave not only a little extra distance, but also better flight of the lure (no tumbling, well alot less anyway).

I have learnt my lesson, about difficult landing situations. I try to plan where to land them first, then it tends to be, catch the leader, pop the bail arm open with a finger on the spool to hold the line, and then land the bass. So far (touch wood) I have landed all the better fish I have hooked in difficult conditions (in banging surf, on a ledge getting hit by 4' of white water being a very memerable one)

Will have to have a look at knots though, I am still getting very good strength from a locked albright even in 1PE diameters (at least 12lb), which seeing as I am running 1 3/4-2lb of drag max (normally a bit less than that if I am honest) should be plenty. But if you and Paul are having concerns then worth checking.