I normally just tie my taildancers to my braid. I love the combination. It is very hard to lose lure. Just back up and they usually come out of the rocks.

But... am I reducing the number of hits? Can a lake trout really see braid at 2mph in 20 feet of water?

I use a fluoro leader just for protection against the pike. I don't think it matters much. Catch plenty without a leader using blades.

With a proper line to line knot adding a leader actually adds strength vs tying direct. Flouro has more abrasion resistance when you get into the rocks. Make sure your using a rod with a soft tip.

Lakers are not particularly line shy but I normally do add a leader for vertical jigging . For trolling with an ultra thin braid I doubt you will see a difference in number of hits either way. In the winter I run straight p-line mainly to keep my spool from feeezin up.

The age old question.......the only way to answer that is to listen to pros who need to catch big fish for a living or listen to guides who see different tackle on a daily basis.

My thinking is thus....the smaller the fish the more likely it will be fooled. So sure guys catch lots of fish on straight braid and say "See" , it doesn't matter". But how many bigger fish turned away? You will never know.

Fishing offshore party boats has taught me that presentation can be key. 40 guys on the boat and 3 guys are doing all the catching while everybody else watches. If not for those 3 guys the common perception would be we were on a bad spot or the fish aren't biting.

1. Bigger fish are pickier than smaller fish. 2. Lake trout do see the line very well. So use 6 pound mono or Fluoro. 3. The best way to catch lake trout when they are fussy is to lay bait on the bottom. You may need to run the line out with a canoe. Leave the bail open and watch the line. When the Laker takes, it will run for quite a ways and then stop. Let it run. When it stops slowly tighten the line and set the hook hard since there is a lot of line out. Be prepared to eat the fish since it may have swallowed the hook too deep. Frozen smelt works well. This is not catch and release, but Lakers over a fire are delish.

I agree totally. I have seen the same thing many times. One fisherman will outfish others while using same line and lure, because the presentation is different.

I had it both ways, sometimes I'm the one catching the fish and vice versa.

I like to tie a flouro leader about 6 ft long to my braid for lakers. I did this because my partners caught more than I did connecting directly to my braid. It did make a difference.

What lb. test leader do you use?

I carry a small spool of 12lb test to make my leaders from. Probably a little over kill but haven't lost one yet. We caught 18 in to 34 in lakers on our trip last week.

quote Frenchy: "I carry a small spool of 12lb test to make my leaders from. Probably a little over kill but haven't lost one yet. We caught 18 in to 34 in lakers on our trip last week."

I like it.......

With the no stretch braid anything less than 12 lb fluorocarbon would make for a thin margin for error indeed with larger lakers. Working with floro can sometimes be tricky especially with lighter lb tests. I use the FG knot for the braid to fluorocarbon connection, what were you using Frenchy?

Be certain to practice extensively with all your connections at home before you go. It's always harder bobbing around out on the water. I also find fingerless weight lifting, biking, or paddling gloves indispensable while working with braid. Wrap the braid around one wrist and the fluorocarbon around the other to test your work.

Mastertangler Just curious why you would use a Fg knot on a thin leader. I use an Fg knot for heavy leaders but not for 12lb. Even a uni knot with 12 lb casts through the guides no problem. Even after hundreds of Fg knots it still takes me 3 plus minutes.

quote Mnpat: "Mastertangler Just curious why you would use a Fg knot on a thin leader. I use an Fg knot for heavy leaders but not for 12lb. Even a uni knot with 12 lb casts through the guides no problem. Even after hundreds of Fg knots it still takes me 3 plus minutes. "

Maybe I need instruction on back to back braid to fluorocarbon uni knots but after 30 years of tying it I have come to despise that knot and find it rather unreliable particularly with lighter lb tests. I have tried numerous variations including doubling my braid and varying the number of wraps. I am fussy in the extreme sense of the word with my knots and they must be at or close to 100%. I have wrapped my back to back uni knots around my gloves and more often than not I will break the first two or three. But I am certainly open to instruction and enjoy learning.

There are many ways of tying the FG and several bordered on ridiculous but Salt Strong has a video showing the fastest and easiest method plus compelling evidence showing the FG is superior in strength to most other connections..........that alone will make it my first option.

But as in most of fishing it's best to have numerous options in your pocket. While tying my long fluorocarbon leaders up for my much anticipated August venture I did come across a light line combination where the FG would not "bite" sufficiently onto the fluorocarbon and kept sliding apart. That outfit seen a uni.

I would guess it's the braid you are using. Fireline is smooth so when pulling tight on the uni it's not damaging the flouro. Other braids are more rough and cut into the flouro when pulling the knot snug.

We have talked this before... I'm a uni to uni guy also. I just vary the number of loops and use light braid... I'm 5 on the 10-12 lb fluorocarbon side and 8 or so on the 8 lb PowerPro. Never had one pull, though I guess it is possible.

Ah, I have limited experience with braid as light as 8lb. The Snook and reds down in the islands would openly mock your feeble attempts Mapsguy ;-)

I run 30 power pro and 30 or 40lb floro leaders for backcountry Snook / red fishing and I still have a hard time turning them if they get their head turned toward the bushes. Some bad whammer-Jammers down there.

In canoe country I have been running 20 power pro with 8ft fluorocarbon leaders for walleye trolling and casting chatterbaits. Maybe I should fish lighter? It would add to my resume to be proficient in handling light braid. Dang stuff is hard to work with though when you can't even see it and the wind is blowing it around. Plus any tangles would be a bear to get out (Ha, I'm already talking myself out of it LOL)

I have never fished fire line but know good fishermen who do. I like fishing with guys who do things differently than me. Expands the noogin.

Remember I live in Vero Beach... Very familiar with Snook and Reds. My go to is a 4000 Stradic series reel with 20 lb Powerpro and 30 lb Fluorocarbon (4 feet). Always tie uni to uni (8-4)... have to start those fish hard but our flats are more open than in the islands. When a fish pulls you into the mangroves you have a problem!

I have always been a light tackle fisherman. To me it is more fun. My first lake trout was 8 lbs, bait fishing with 2 lb test on Allagash Lake when I was 14. Took me 52 minutes and three thunderstorms to get it in. The last one forced us to paddle to shore as the lightning was too close for comfort. Sadly, the line was trash when I finally got it in.