Do I Need Braid To Mono?
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Newbies Corner
Forum Description: If you're new to fishing this is the place to ask any questions about getting started ...
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=138829
Printed Date: 31 Jan 2026 at 6:37am
Topic: Do I Need Braid To Mono?
Posted By: Gaz1
Subject: Do I Need Braid To Mono?
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2024 at 7:30pm
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Hi again, Simply, do I need to tie on mono leader to my braid? Recently I've been making running rigs out of shock leader and tying my main line to the swivel of the rig.I've been interested in softbaiting and lure fishing for a while now, and I was wondering if I could just tie a swivel and jighead/lure to some leader, and attach that to my main line the same way I do running rigs.. or is there a reason everyone I've ever seen fishing on the internet tells me to tie shock leader on? I've tied shock leader to my braid before on multiple occasions but I figured if I switch between bait fishing, soft baiting and then back again on the same rod, tying an fg knot when I'm trying to balance on a rock is a little bit hard. Even if I tied a knot before I went out, if I snagged and the line broke, my idea of having a jighead already tied up to a swivel is a lot easier to tie my main line onto..
I guess I'm just trying to ask if it's a dumb idea or not lol All opinions are welcome lol, thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2024 at 8:14pm
| Sounds ok to me but what knot are you using braid to swivel |
Posted By: Gaz1
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2024 at 8:22pm
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I've been using uni knot wrapped around 10-15 times on 25lb braid. Would you suggest using a different knot? |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2024 at 10:44am
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There are a number of reasons why I use a mono leader tied to my braid. I would typically use 10lb braid for snapper fishing with a 15 to 20lb mono leader approx 2m long. I tie the mono to the braid using an FG knot. A swivel may be convenient but it can cause issues and it isn't really needed. A mono leader makes tying to terminal tackle easier/more reliable. When using jigs I either tie them directly to the leader or preferably I use a Mustad Fastach swivel which allows me to change jigs/jigheads without having to retie. I can get through a whole year without having to retie the leader to braid knot sometimes but yeah the leader will be getting pretty short. ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2024 at 8:01pm
Most that use soft baits (think boat) and the FG knot aren't concerned about snags just strength of knot and something that can be cast through the rod.
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Gaz1 wrote:Posted By: Gaz1
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2024 at 10:31pm
A whole year is something that sounds great to me. Do you ever use that same rod for bait fishing on the same day? Hearing about having the same leader for a whole year is really interesting to me, considering how much main line I've lost since purchasing.. I'll have to give it another try. 25lb braid with 40lb leader isn't too overboard, is it? I've never been boat fishing so I'm usually in the midst of rocks, getting snagged every time I try to use softbaits and lures, and now and again with bait.. Thanks for the reply
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Posted By: Gaz1
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2024 at 10:36pm
Thanks for the info. Is soft baiting usually done on boats instead of on land? Also, is it standard practice to add leader to lines(even for bait fishing)?
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Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2024 at 6:43pm
Yes sorry Gaz, boat fishing mostly. The trick to avoiding snags from the rocks would be to avoid contact with the sea floor. Count the lure down - when it hits the water, count out how long it takes to contact the bottom. Then retrieve. If you're still losing gear start winding earlier. If that doesn't work, find a new spot :) ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Mc Tool
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2024 at 8:28pm
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Yeah , I always have my leader lighter than the main line . Im thinkin that the old mono that I used to use is whatever thick so I go for the same dia in braid for the main line , the idea being that Im not loosing anything like line resistance thru water but I am gaining in strength and durability, and then I go for line weight for the leader . so my trout rods, for example all have about 8-10 lb braid mainline and 4-6 lb fluro leader FG'd on to the main line ( I bought one of them FG knot tiers off Temu .... real good ) and usually use about 2 rod lengths of leader . If Im dropping ledger rigs offa anything ( boat wharf ) I dont bother with a leader , surfcasting and straylining ( different set up ) I use 20-30 lb mainline and 10-15 lb fluro leader. Using a few different clips .... but yeah a whole season out of one leader aint unusual .....just gotta keep out of the bush  ------------- I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2024 at 9:37am
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[/QUOTE] A whole year is something that sounds great to me. Do you ever use that same rod for bait fishing on the same day? Hearing about having the same leader for a whole year is really interesting to me, considering how much main line I've lost since purchasing.. I'll have to give it another try. 25lb braid with 40lb leader isn't too overboard, is it? I've never been boat fishing so I'm usually in the midst of rocks, getting snagged every time I try to use softbaits and lures, and now and again with bait.. Thanks for the reply [/QUOTE]
Yes sorry Gaz, boat fishing mostly. The trick to avoiding snags from the rocks would be to avoid contact with the sea floor. Count the lure down - when it hits the water, count out how long it takes to contact the bottom. Then retrieve. If you're still losing gear start winding earlier. If that doesn't work, find a new spot :) I often use the same rod for lures & baits.I leave the Fastach swivel on and tie the trace to that if I switch to baits. There's no point in going lighter in areas where you're getting snagged and busted off. ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Gaz1
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2024 at 3:59pm
Is the picture below the fastach clip you were talking about? Or are you talking about the clip attached to a swivel? |
Posted By: Gaz1
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2024 at 4:01pm
I may need to look at one of those FG knot tying helpers you mentioned, sounds like a lifesaver. One thing I'm confused about is that I've always been told to use a heavier leader than my main line. Have I been doing it wrong all this time?  |
Posted By: Mc Tool
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2024 at 5:58pm
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No your not doing it wrong ., neither is Smudge , just my take on it .... no one ever taught me to fish so I figured out myself that Id rather loose just my leader than the main line as well so if I snag and yank Im going to break the leader . On the other hand a big leader gives more abrasion and bite resistance . TBH I am almost exclusively either softbaiting the river or ledger rigging of a boat for blue cod , just getting in to surfcasting . One thing I have sussed is whilst land based fishing around rocky stuff I use the spoon shaped sinkers and when time to wind in give it a real good yank to lift the sinker and then wind fast with rod tip well up . These sinkers do get a bit of lift if you wind em fast enough and can clear any structural impedimenta instead of bouncing along the bottom.. ------------- I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2024 at 6:48pm
------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |