Hello-
I am embarking on my first trip in a month.
I am wondering about using leaders. I am bringing two rods on the advice of my buddy. One spinning and one baitcasting.

So, question is, do I put big leaders on both rods?
I have never fished for smallmouth. Sounds like you can catch both northerns and smallmouth (and possibly walleye) on the same lures.

Wouldn't a big leader equal less bites for smallmouth?

Thanks for the help.

I try to avoid leaders unless fishing for northern. The less tackle on the end of your line, the more likely you are to attract bites. Caught several bass while fishing for northern, so it's possible, but I try to avoid it. Two different rod set-ups is a great plan.

Ok, thanks for the input.

So sounds like basically you go with no leader for smallmouth and hope you don't get a big pike on?

You will get a variety of ideas here. I never fish with leaders. On the rare occasions I have a bite off, I may add a leader. Titanium leaders don’t kink which is best. I do keep 2-3 leaders in my box. They weigh nothing and take no space, so its not a bad idea to bring them. Tight lines!

old_salt: "You will get a variety of ideas here. I never fish with leaders. On the rare occasions I have a bite off, I may add a leader. Titanium leaders don’t kink which is best. I do keep 2-3 leaders in my box. They weigh nothing and take no space, so its not a bad idea to bring them. Tight lines!"

Yep, no leaders unless your specifically targeting pike. You will be surprised at how many pike you land with no leader.

Don't waste your money on steel, buy titanium. The only time to use a leader while smallmouth fishing is if you are down to that one lure which is catching all of the bass and you don't want to loose it to a pike. Bring two lures of each kind if possible. Use leaders if you are targeting pike.