When trying out a rod to buy it's obviously best to try it out first, but should you have a leader attached to it or not?
I'm sure I've read somewhere you should always have one fitted, is this to stop the shock?
TopConker

---------- Post added at 11:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 AM ----------

Should have made it clear to trial cast only not to actually fish with.
TC

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Hi TC, I wouldn't say it's vital, but whenever I grass cast a rod, I always fit one, and tie a bit of red wool on the end to represent the fly.
Just feels better to me, and you can see how accurate your cast is.
S.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

I was told by an instructor that you should always attach a leader as otherwise the end of your line takes all the whipcrack effect and it will ruin it.

Yes, you don't want the energy concentrated at the end of the line. It will cause the core and the coating to de laminate, and further damage will ensue. That cracking sound you hear, is the whip effect, or the tip of the line that is "breaking the sound barrier". Rather let that energy concentrate to the end of a piece of mono. You don't need to attach a proper leader per se, just a couple of feet of straight mono.