Braided leaders

[blackbob]

Can anyone give some advice regarding braided leaders...I've only used mono 'til now...what are the advantages?. Do they need to be tapered?...which ones are favoured for sewin?.

Cheers

Mark

[dangler]

Hi, Mark.
I'm afraid I always seem to be in a minority of 1 on this subject because I like polyleaders in different densities and lengths.They are tapered and generally don't hinder casting if you slow it down a bit. Experimentation with different lengths and densities in differing flows and depths of water is the only way to learn their effects.

My personal dislike of braided leaders is because I find the material
used to coat/impregnate them to create the sink rate always seems to disappear,fall off, evaporate or by some sinister means leave the leader so whatever it starts as it ends up being neutral density.

Regards and tight lines, Mike

[dangler]

PS.
I should have said the leaders are only used with floating or intermediate lines.
Mike

[blackbob]

Hi Mike

Great to hear from you and thanks for the advice.

Hope you're well and staying away from those fences!

Regards

Mark.

[DAZ]

blackbob.

Have a look at this mate from a little while back.

www.seatroutfishing.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=advice&action=display&thread=1183558936

DAZ.

[shocker]

The problem that always seems to come up with these leaders,wether braided or poly is the hinging factor.It increases with the leasder density.
A trick I pirated and improvised from the Roman Moser System (v costly) is to cover the loop to loop join with some silicone rig tube,beloved of sea anglers,about 4" seems to do the trick and it can be easily worked back to change leader,even while fishing.

the point about the braided ones losing their density-giving coating is well made.I suppose the only thing is to look for the cheap ones and treat as expendable,cos the expensive ones seem to do it just as quick

[jcmedicine]

Mark
I always use Airflo braided leaders when fly fishing for sewin. I have tried other brands but cannot seem to get on with them and the Snowbee ones are worse than useless as they have no taper. Unfortunately Airflo seem to have stopped making braided leaders but I have enough to keep me going for a good while yet and I find them hard wearing.

In ideal sewin conditions I use an intermediate braided leader for the sub surface fly and if I want to fish deeper or there is a fast flow, I increase the density. I have various lengths and densities from 5ft intermediate which I use most often to a salmon 12ft extra super fast sink. The second most frequently used braided leader I use is 5ft slow sink. I do not find that the density coating diminishes over time or through use and I still use leaders which are several years old. I also do not notice a hinging effect but as I always use a braided leader, I have probably got used to it in my casting style. I do not like polyleaders due to the lack of loop at the tippet end.
JC

[blackbob]

Thanks guys

I know nothing about braided leaders..can I ask a few stupid questions:

Flyline to braided leader is loop to loop...correct?

Tippet is mono?...how long?... and is it also loop to loop?

Thanks again

Mark

[jcmedicine]

Mark

Flyline to braided leader is loop to loop. Tippet is mono, I use 5ft of 10lb braking strain fluorocarbon tied to the loop at the thin end of the taper using a blood knot.

John

[silverinvicta]

Each to their own Mark but I prefer a tiny perfection loop on my tippet and joined loop to loop, I find it easier to remove if I want to change my tippet....Less chance of cutting the leader or leaving a stub of tippet on the leader loop when night fishing.

Si