Can Leaders And Micro Guides Co-Exist

[kirbydog]

I got a rod built with micro guides and I love it. These guides seem to improve both distance and accuracy. I will be fishing this rod with heavy cranks and jigs (5/8 or 3/4 oz and above) and typically tying the braid directly to the lure.

I would like the option of adding a fluro leader but the ones I've tied on so far although they get thru the guides do seem to have some trouble doing it. Is there a leader to braid knot that will glide thru with less hesitation or should I just stick with stright braid or straight mono or fluro,

[Wayne SW/MO]

I would suggest that, if it is a problem, you get some Knot Sense and streamline your knot. Knot Sense is well known to fly fishermen.

[hoglaw]

I'm interested to hear what the result of experimenting with different knots is, so please post it. I build almost exclusively with microguides now, but I don't tie leaders. The stock advice from Tom Kirkman is to always use the smallest guides that will always pass your knots with no problems. It's not like your knot is anywhere near the diameter of the guide, so the fact that it hangs up is interesting to me.

I guess I"d also ask why you're using braid at all with heavy cranks and jigs, as it hurts the depth of your cb and floats up causing a loss of sensitivity with the jig? Plus in my mind a heavy cranking rod and a jig rod are opposite ends of the spectrum, but to each his own. Have you tried going to straight floro or are you not wanting to do that for some reason?

[rps]

Have you tried the Alberto knot? It is the smallest strong braid to leader knot I have found.

[kirbydog]

You're right, I am trying to get one rod to do two things (cranks and jigs) that are not very compatible.

My rod guy is building a second rod for me to take care of that problem.

Regarding braid and cranks, I'm throwing my deep cranks with a 15 lb braid and I'm getting just a deep as if I were using mono or fluro because its smaller diameter and has less resistance on the retieve. I do set the drag fairly loose so I'm not taking the lure away from the fish when it bites. So far its working very well, not losing any more fish than I have on mono and the plus side is I loose very few cranks to snags (that 15 lb braid probably tests out closer to 25-30). Been throwing deep cranks (DD22 Norman) and getting an honest 16-17 ft which is as deep as I've ever gotten on fluro.

[BassMaster#1]

I thumbs up the alberto knot, but even with this knot it still dosn't work well with micro guides. At least on my Ducket micro magic and Bass Pro carbonlight. I have just been running braid and fluro for these two rods or use a very small leader. Small enough that it doesn't pass through the guides

[RSBreth]

I guess I"d also ask why you're using braid at all with heavy cranks and jigs, as it hurts the depth of your cb and floats up causing a loss of sensitivity with the jig?

Thinner braid will allow a crank a deeper dive, try it.

And even the thickest braid won't "float" a typical bass jig. Doesn't happen.

Although the micro-guides don't sound like the ideal setup for leader knots - I think they are a gimmick. The micro-guides, that is.

[kirbydog]

The only real problem I've had throwing cranks on braid is, getting the braid caught up in those treble hooks on the cast. Usually its not much of a problem but if its windy and the crank tumbles on the cast, I go back to a mono or fluro leader.

[RSBreth]

I really like the thin superline/fluoro leader for cranks - but I throw them like that on spinning gear with regular guides - no issues.