Thread: Do I need a leader?

Originally Posted by cray

Pappy, remember when we were kids and you could by line in black or white and once in a great while you might find some in green and it all looked like well rope. We still caught fish. I guess them old time
fish were dumber than these modern fish. still remember when my uncle gave me some of the new cat gut line. Didn't think that stuff would ever take off.

Yep, Cray ... I sure do remember that stuff. I think the first fishing line I remember was a "camo" (multi-colored) nylon line that my Dad had on a reel. After that, I remember the black nylon line of my Grandfather's reels being replaced with 8lb test mono. I even remember the first 10lb test mono that I ever saw ... because it was PINK My Uncle had it on a reel, and I remember us joking about the color.

Back in those days, the only "leader" I remember was the snelled hooks. We didn't use them much, as they were an added expense ... and we tied hooks directly onto the main line. I do remember the plastic "leader holder" gizmo, that you could put those snelled hook rigs on ... and I've probably still got one, hiding in my tackle closet somewhere.

... cp

from my experience i use braided line on all my rods and don't have leaders of mono line.i do have leaders of heavier 40 pound braid just to protect against teeth of chain pickerels which are in most places i fish in nj.the fish i catch don't seem to be bothered with what the line looks like,but instead pay attention to the lure.i've caught bluegills,pumpkinseeds,shellcracker,crappies,bass, pickerel,yellow perch,white perch,snapper blues,small stripers,herrings,croaker spots,warmouths all on braided line.even in clear waters but mostly stained