Light Braid to Heavier Leader

[MK49]

A couple of weeks ago, I realized that I could use lighter/thinner braided lines like 10 ~ 15lbs with thicker leaders like 16 ~ 20lbs, because most line breaks happen in the first few feet from the baits, anyway. I guess I didn't think that way, because my default braid was 55lbs. So, I just thought the leaders are lighter than the main lines.

I bought a Gekkabijin PE Special earlier this year. The spool is so shallow that I could only use 10 or 8lbs braids. I used 10lbs braid with 10lbs copoly leader for a while. Then, I needed a little more line capacity, so I put an 8lbs braid. That's when I thought about using 13lbs leader, instead of 10lbs. It's probably better than 10lbs braid + 10lbs leader. I've fished a few times with the 8lbs braid + 13lbs leader. The leader broke once or twice, but the 8lbs braid hasn't broke yet.

That's for my BFS setup, but for my main ones, I'm thinking about putting thinner braids (15lbs or so) with 16 to 20lbs leaders. That should cast a little better, and the size of the leaders don't change, so I won't break more lines, I would think.

Is it normal to use lighter main line (braids) with heavier leaders? It makes sense, and I feel I was stupid that I never thought that way.

[slipperybob]

Most of my rigs have 15-20# braids and typical leader of 20-30# mono. I do it that way just the leader always take the most damage and bigger typically lasts longer. Most of the time it's the terminal knot that will fail. A few times when I'm snaffu, it's the connection knot that fails or probably slips on failure.

Forward weight tippet style also casts just a little bit better.

[Cal]

Is it normal to use lighter main line (braids) with heavier leaders? It makes sense, and I feel I was stupid that I never thought that way.

Not unusual at all.

[Senkobass1]

I actually do this a lot when I’m fishing for local saltwater bass. These fish aren’t huge (4lbs is about the biggest I’ve seen) so they are a blast in light bfs tackle. Problem is, they are around some nasty cover. Boat docks, props, oyster and clam crusted pilings, etc. the heavier 15-20lb leaders have been crucial to me landing the fish in the cover and still whole having fun on bfs tackle. I just use a smaller leader to avoid the only going into my guides

[John2204]

A light braid to hvy leader is standard in saltwater, I use 10 lb braid to a 20-25 lb test leader for almost all of my inshore setups for redfish. The only time I use heavy braid is on my Swimbait rod, I use 30 lb braid to a 25-30 lb leader

[Finnz922]

A light braid to hvy leader is standard in saltwater, I use 10 lb braid to a 20-25 lb test leader for almost all of my inshore setups for redfish. The only time I use heavy braid is on my Swimbait rod, I use 30 lb braid to a 25-30 lb leader

What knot do you use?

[John2204]

I use a FG knot that I tie the night before a fishing trip, but if I’m on the water I use the Alberto knot, it’s much quicker and easier to tie on the water

[Jeffbro999]

Back when I used spinning reels inshore, it was very common to use 10lb braid to 40 or 50lb Fluoro leader when fishing outside grass edges. Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish will steal your lures every time with anything less. Mainly throwing small jerkbaits like the Xrap 08 or YoZuri 3D Minnow, and didn’t notice any difference in catch rates vs. lighter line.