Spinning line leader

[jrh0516]

I fish mostly Taneycomo and Bennett with spinning gear.  I'll fish mostly jigs with droppers, fly under a float, spinners, and the occasional small hard crank bait/ Rapella.

I use P-line floroclear 4 lb main line on most of my reels, sometime I'll tie direct but usually I'll add 4 lb Vanish fluorocarbon.  

I had a few tunaways at Taneycomo when the water was off.  So I tried some 2 lb P-line fluorocarbon.  It was impossible to tie, like tying hair.  I didn't think the bite was any better.

So any advice on water off leader line?

[snagged in outlet 3]

Trust your experience.  They talk about frequently on the “one cast”.  

[tjm]

I would be using those (4# = .007" = 4X, 2# = .005" =6X)  diameters in nylon with a fly rod, so I'm not sure the leader was the problem.

 

[Johnsfolly]

I frequently used Pline fluorocarbon both in 2 and 4#. I do not use a leader. I do prefer 2# line for fishing Bennetts. Mainly because I can throw those John deer or other microjigs and weighted glo balls fairly far on the lighter line. I have seen trout shy away from 4# line but mostly when it is really clear. So I would probably have no issue using the 2# or 4# line for Taney.

As @snagged in outlet 3 stated I would think that if you are confident in the 4# with a 100% fluorocarbon leader than use it.

[jrh0516]

OK thanks guys.  Just checking if I was missing something.  May try some other leaders for kicks.  As the weather gets colder I enjoy contemplating new setups for the spring.

[rps]

Every knot is a potential failure point. My favorite trout line is Maxima or Yozuri 4# straight to the hook or lure.. Tough, ties a good strong knot, and not very expensive. By all means experiment, heaven knows I have. But you will come back to the simple time and again.

[tjm]

I like Maxima 3# for trout because it's cheap for the quality, but I've caught a truck load of trout on Stren 6# back in the '70s when I used spinning gear. Personally I won't use fluorocarbon because of it's resistance to environmental decay. 

Many leader/tippet/higher qualty  nylons have higher strength  in the same diameter or smaller diameter in the same test strength. I can find no advantage that fluorocarbon has.     Stroft and Damyl are two higher strength/diameter nylons.  I like Rio Powerflex as my tippet.

I found this interesting https://swiftflyfishing.com/blogs/news/15472069-cutting-through-the-bull-the-mono-vs-fluoro-debate

I don't think visibility of the leader is as important as many people do, based on  a few months of experimentation with trout in a shallow clear  spring   lake back east that I did long ago. But smaller diameter allows greater freedom of movement for the bait, less water resistance I guess. Limper material also allows more movement. But it's just my opinion/guesswork.