This might sound daft.... first of all i have been fishing along time 40yrs and a bit. The thing is you know when you retreve your fly or let it sink slowly some times you get them heart stopping line bites or the fish is hooked for a second and hes off,well i have been watching these fishing programs on TV and when they go on about braided line, when they sea fish or coarse fish how senitve the line is i have started to think maybe it might be worth experimenting with a braided leader. Has any body tried it or heard of it being used or should i forget i even mentioned it.

Braided leaders have been around in the fly fishing world since the late '80s or early '90s. Some people swear by them, some swear AT them and think they are the invention of the devil. To some extent it depends on the application...river or stillwater, what you are trying to achieve, why and how.

Gauge a few more replies from the guys on here and while you are doing so have a look on the Sportfish web site...

http://www.sportfish.co.uk/product/r...-woven-leaders

__________________
"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

Something that must be considered though is the need for a bit of stretch in the line somewhere or else you could run the riskof bumping your fish off, snapping the line or bending/breaking the hook.


Even the spin boys will generally use a few metres of mono to provide a cushion and, bear in mind too, they use softer rod tips to cushion the line during the fight.

Just my 2 cents worth.


Ben

__________________


**The SKB Website**


Tackle Essentials - Pliers, Snips, Pimps etc

Utterly Pimping Reel Porn


MrTrout's Furled Leaders


Help our Heroes



*Proud Sponsor of the EYFA and Pitsford Pirates*

I have used braid for years in Pike and lure fishing, I use it for all my quiver tip fishing and I will use it for my Salmon spinning, you won't believe the difference, a 3 mm movement on the quiver tip with Mono, is a 15mm movement with braid, for long range hooking and feel there is nothing better.

For lure fishing and spinning you can feel every movement of the lure.

Now, don't think because you use 12lb mono you would use 12lb braid, go for a similar diameter, you would get away with 30lb braid, it would be thinner than the mono and you would hook more fish, I use 50lb braid for my deadbait fishing, 30lb for my drifter rod fishing, I use 12lb and 8lb braid for the quiver tip, I'll be using 30lb braid for the Salmon Spinning.

Now, don't let the breaking strains make you think you can just drag the fish in, it won't happen as there is no stretch\very little stretch you have to be careful and allow the rod to do its job and play the fish using the rod and the clutch.

I swear by it and it will last for about 5 years before you need to replace it, so it costs the same as Mono in the long run

I recommend Power Pro braid, it is the best by far, have a look on ebay, also, I have never lost a fish because of the braid snapping, no give in the braid or anything like that, just be careful with what knots you use and give it a go, I also use it for all my Czech nymph leaders, well, I mean I use 15ft of braid then 6ft of mono at the end, a lot more sensitive than an all mono leader

Any more questions then gimme a shout

__________________
APGAI Single Handed Casting Instructor
GAIC Double Handed Casting Instructor
GAIC Fly Dressing Instructor
ADB Level 1 Coach



http://www.gamefishinginstruction.co.uk

http://www.oakroyalgolf-countryclub.co.uk/

http://chrisaldred.blogspot.com/

I used a braided line a lot (braid and fusion) while spinning, specially for pike. It gives you a great feel of the lure, type of bottom, but...it is much more visible in water than monofilament and (although this is highly subjective estimation) from my point of view, it decreases the number of takes. Same thing (another subjective view) as dark or brown monofilament compared with transparent one when spinning for pike. I also know some other people who share my view and some, who think it does not matter. Having a leader as visible as braid would in my view definetly reduces the number of takes, although it depends on what kind of water are you fishing. I would not use it in flyfishing, unless for some special application.

BlueOne

Thanks everybody for that advice i will see if i can nick 10" of it some where and give it a go.

In my match days I used braid for my distance feeder/quiver fishing. On mono you'd have bites and simply not see them whereas on braid you'd get a good solid movement of the tip. Provided you were careful on the strike (it was more a lift into than strike) then it was an essential tool.

I'm not sure I'd want to use it for fly fishing but that's largely down to personal choice.

It is the business for spinning, I'd never consider going back to mono, but I can't see it being much use in flyfishing, quite the reverse in fact.Incidentally I've just bought some Greys braid scissors from Grommit- they cut it cleanly with no fraying, something that even very sharp conventional scissors fail to do.

__________________
Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him