1st TIME BRAID USER

Putting braid on one of my baitcasters this spring for the first time. Does the braid get tied directly to the lure or is a length of mono/fluoro used to attach the lure to? Seems the braid could be easily spotted and spook any wary fish if attached directly to the lure.

ORIGINAL: FishinGuy

I've caught plenty of fish without a leader, but I usually use one unless the waters real murky. Use a uni-uni splice if the braid and leader are similar diameter, or an albright if the leaders a lot thicker than the mainline. Don't forget to put some mono backing on before you put the braid on the reel!!!

+1

i use power pro to a small barrel swivel then fluoro. braid can be very hard to brake. you won't go back to reg. line

like musky bound says, it depends on what you are fishing for
for bass it shouldn't be an issue
for pike or muskie then a leader is always a good idea
for cats i use a mono leader after a barrel swivel
don't think i'd use braid for any other species

I've used it for eyes, carp, and trout already this year, great for throwing light offerings long distance and detecting the lightest bites in current.

I've caught a bit of everything aside from trout on braid and wasn't using a leader then... I just recently started using a hand made 50lb steel leader and haven't noticed any issues yet...  But prior to the issue was using a slip weight would beat the knot up to the swivel so I just put a small bead under it and no problems with fraying line or anything... I think it's a matter of preference really... Also as stated above make sure you put the equal mono diameter line on a few wraps for backing...

If I'm trout fishing a clear stream, I tie on a long enough leader that the braid stays on top of the water.and the float is attached right by the splice. I don't use it on steelhead. But I have caught many pelletheads on spinners with braid straight to a snap swivel, but usually use a 12-24" flouro leader. Whatever floats your boat right? Eyes are a pike, who knew? I thought pike were pike. I thought eyes were closer to a perch. I've heard them called blue pike or something, but I thought it was just a nickname, not a scientific thing.

ORIGINAL: bigbear2010

walleyed pike

Another debate in the making, this should get interesting!
 
Golden palomino rainbow trout, perhaps?

ORIGINAL: bigbear2010

eye's are a pike
i will not use it for trout or salmon, because i've watched them too many times, see the line and move out of their hold then move back when it goes through
but hey if you guys wanna use it for everything...more power to you...and more fish for me

btw: over 70% of the broken rods we see come back to bass pro are from first time braid users, who have used mono for years and get hung up, rip the rod like they do with mono and snap it like a twig because there is no stretch

Walleye are in the same family as yellow perch, no relation to pike.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walleye

ORIGINAL: mote1977


Pike are in the same family as yellow perch, no relation to pike.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walleye

Did you mean walleye?

pike are no relation to pike?!?!
gee thats good to know

+1

ORIGINAL: bigbear2010

bottom line on braid
use it on agressive fish that don't care if they see the line
be careful with your rod, because there is no stretch to it
use it all you want, but i don't except for a few particular situations
to each his/ her own

 
Ever hear of a leader? 
 
At one time or another I have successfully used braid for just about every species of fish that PA has to offer.  While I do not prefer braid for all applications, it is very versatile and can be utilized with success for just about any style of fishing.  

Be careful with hooksets, doesnt need to be that violent with braid, in fact I've broke many fish off at the knot until I figured this out. Also I like to tie a "Trilene knot" with braid (something that wraps around the hook twice). Braid doesnt birdnest as bad on a baitcaster either.

+1 on that Marty. Still trying to heal a cut from a snag last weekend.
BTW ~ electrical tape will seal it up better than athletic.
...just don't wrap too tight.