Fishing Forum

I kind of jumped the gun with getting into fishing, I moved to a new area and there are fishing spot all over, well it seems like all over compared to the last area I lived in. It's been well over 10 years from the last time I really was into fishing and like everything else there are advancements in just about every corner of this sport especially in the gear.

My first question is about lines, for a spinning reel setup do i need to have a leader if I am using 4lb braided line for in-line spinners when fishing for trout and if so how long of leader is needed and what strength? I went out last week and used the braided line without a leader, this was the first time i have fished with this kind of line. Talk about the feel it translates back to your rod that was a big plus. However, I have reading that braided line is very visible for fish, is that true for even the light weight lines like 4 & 6 pound line.

Another line question what if any difference is there between fluorocarbon line and fluorocarbon leader line to make the price three to five time on the per yard cost.

Let me know what you think and or know.

Thank Summers
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Do yourself a favour and lose the braid. I only use it on my heavy rods. And I've never had anything to do with flourocarbon so I can't say anything about it, but if your fishing for trout with 4 pound line just use mono. I prefer Berkley Trilene. I use the XL in 4 for my light action stuff and XT in 8 for everything else.
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If you are going to continue using the braided line (and if you like the feel of it go for it) I would recommend that you do use leader. Fluorocarbon is not necessary and is mostly just hype and extremely expensive. A good monofilament leader will serve you well and is far less expensive. Leaders are more expensive than comparable line probably because leaders are usually more limp than regular fishing line (which I assume is more expensive to manufacture). That said, I have often used regular fishing line for leader material (especially for bait or lure fishing, as opposed to fly fishing) and done just fine.
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I like the idea of running a fluorocarbon leader not fluorocarbon line as a leader but a true leader, should I run a 6lb or higher leader line to the 4lb braided line. I know that line diameter is the true measure of the line size, but I see that most leaders are 6lb or higher. Or should i just use regular fluorocarbon line apposed to the true leader line? Also what lenght are most people using for a leader.
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For fishing with lures or bait I would use a slightly stronger leader than the main line (unless you are likely to be snagging and breaking off -- and in that case I would use the same or slightly lighter leader than the main line. I would probably try about 2 feet of leader.
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I have two poles I use for trout right now (not at the same time). One with fireline crystal 6lb test but 2lb diameter, and the other with 4lb trilene. For both I use a Fluorocarbon leader (vanish) about 3' long of 2lb test that is regular line, not leader line. I'm just getting back into fishing this year after a sabbatical in other interests and ventures. But I've caught probably 30+ fish this year in about 10 trips with this set up.

Is Fluorocarbon leader necessary? Probably not, but for me personally I like to give myself any advantage I can...because I usually need it.
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Thanks everyone for your help, I am going to get some 6lb fluorocarbon line and just use that as a leader and keep the briaded line for now. It seems to be more cost effective then to pay for a small about of ture leader line. When its time to replace the line i might try having just flourocarbon line and see how that works.
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