Is a Leader Necessary for Braid when using Finesse Techniques?

[merc1997]

highland reservoir.  limestone shelves, chunk rock is pretty much the norm.

I use flouro leaders for their abrasion resistance.

Bo:  quick question on your braid useage - how often do you see the need to retie?  here in the TN river, muscle beds are amazingly sharp and it didn't take long (2-3 lost $5 tungsten c-rig weights) to catch on to keeping a close eye on the braid.

fluoru handles it better.

mono not so much BUT, it's not like these lines break just because you look at them wrong.  when they get knicked, scuffed, an aware angler reties.

braid is not a line that you never have to retie, and there is where most cause their own break offs.  you can not feel braid for damage, you have to visually inspect, and if your close eye sight is gone, you will need to put some cheaters on.  i actually find braid to be much more abrasion proof than floro.  if i have been tugging pretty hard while stuck in a rock, i check to see if there are any fuzzies sticky up from the braid.  if so, then it needs to be retied.  overrall for me, i have to retie way fewer times than with other line choices.  i use braid for cranks and jerk baits with no issues in hookups or fish tearing loose.  for me, the hookups with those two baits is way better because the hooks go in instantly because of the no stretch.  the other plus for me is feeling bites that would never be felt on floro or mono.

as i said before, the best advice is for each individual to use what they have confidence in.  experimentation goes a long ways at many things.

bo

[coldfront]

thanks Bo.  appreciate your patience with me.

[merc1997]

thanks Bo.  appreciate your patience with me.

i understand what works well for you might not work well for me.  there are several ways to skin the same cat.  by the way, purple works really well with white.  i've used it for years.  gizzard shad in particular have a purple sheen to them.

i am one to just keep things as simple as possible.

bo