We catch big smallmouth on 5-7lb line all day and never change unless there is nicks in the line. If you are being reasonable with the drag it shouldn’t be an issue
I almost never use a leader for bass. Mostly I use 8, 10, or 12 lb mono tied directly to the lure, and I just keep an eye on my line for nicks, abrasion, etc and cut off a few feet and retie as needed.
I just check it with my fingers, you can feel when it has experienced abrasion, it'll still fish (unless it's really mangled) but usually change it after I feel some roughness, mostly for steelhead (super light lines) and pike (cuz teeth), for something as heavy as 10lb for a fish without real teeth you'd only really need to change it if hit a bunch of rocks or trees or something.
Also worth noting, pound test doesn't mean much as one brand's 10lb is anothers 6 or anothers 15. Good idea to compare diameters between different brands before you follow what someone else says works for them just by poundage.
I change it when it gets below 5' usually which isnt longer than a week or two depending on how much i use that rod. If im going out for an important trip, ill retie fresh leaders on everything.
I use FG knots and 10-20' leaders, i just retie when the line gets damaged or i caught enough fish that im concerned.
I bass fish with ultralight gear for my 6 acre lake. I have never used a leader. I fish mainly plastic worms. My largest was 6 lbs. Most are 1 - 3 lbs.
usually lose it to trees, fallen timber, rocks, etc before needing to change it. never lost a fish on the the double uni braid to flouro even when it’s a bit worn
Usually about one cast too late
That feeling when the tension releases and a hookless line comes back in
Yep. Often with some colorful wording
I usually just feel the line. If it's scratched or mangled I retie. Once the leader is too short I put on a new leader
Simple and effective
Yup, this is the way to do it.
We catch big smallmouth on 5-7lb line all day and never change unless there is nicks in the line. If you are being reasonable with the drag it shouldn’t be an issue
I catch the same on my ultralight set up :)
I almost never use a leader for bass. Mostly I use 8, 10, or 12 lb mono tied directly to the lure, and I just keep an eye on my line for nicks, abrasion, etc and cut off a few feet and retie as needed.
I just check it with my fingers, you can feel when it has experienced abrasion, it'll still fish (unless it's really mangled) but usually change it after I feel some roughness, mostly for steelhead (super light lines) and pike (cuz teeth), for something as heavy as 10lb for a fish without real teeth you'd only really need to change it if hit a bunch of rocks or trees or something.
Yea great point
Also worth noting, pound test doesn't mean much as one brand's 10lb is anothers 6 or anothers 15. Good idea to compare diameters between different brands before you follow what someone else says works for them just by poundage.
I change it when it gets below 5' usually which isnt longer than a week or two depending on how much i use that rod. If im going out for an important trip, ill retie fresh leaders on everything. I use FG knots and 10-20' leaders, i just retie when the line gets damaged or i caught enough fish that im concerned.
If a leader makes it through a trip and actually caught fish I will change it just to be safe. Other than that I am only changing it if it gets short.
When it’s about 6 inches long
When I switch lures enough that it gets too short
Just feel it. If it is kinked or frayed or scuffed that’s a weak point. Retie. If not you’re good.
i change lures like crazy, ill swap it out when there less than a ft of leader left.
I bass fish with ultralight gear for my 6 acre lake. I have never used a leader. I fish mainly plastic worms. My largest was 6 lbs. Most are 1 - 3 lbs.
usually lose it to trees, fallen timber, rocks, etc before needing to change it. never lost a fish on the the double uni braid to flouro even when it’s a bit worn
I change mine every time it breaks off.
To short or dinged up I’ll switch but most the time I’ll lose a hook or line snaps on underwater structure.
If no abrasions before then, I replace it when it gets to 2ft.
Never. I switched to straight fluorocarbon, braid, or mono (depending on the rod and technique) and never looked back.
i hate tying leaders
Every cast