running braid and was wondering what you think about a 4 ' shock leader of mono

I dont think 4' of mono is really a "shock" leader, just a long leader. Isnt a shock leader meant to be long enough to have a few turns on the real when you cast (i.e about 15' long for a 10 foot rod)?

the knot has a hard time coming threw the guides the knot of choice is a alberto which is a modified allbright.

there's aknot called a tournament knot that slides through the guides but needs a very light drag

I personally dont use a shock leader because most of my fishing is from boat and the shock absorbtion for casting isn't that much of an issue. I prefer 4' of FC for the visibility and abrasion resistance. On all my casting rods I use an oversized TIP-TOP to accomodate whatever line to line knot I'm using.

Only issue I have with a knot is the tag end fo the mono biting my thumb once the spool gets spinning.

You must use a mono leader with braid. Without it you break the braid easily. The short length of mono is a little shock absorber.

I would call it a fishing leader as a shock leader is different and usually much more than 4 feet long.

Mono guy here only, so no shock leader ever: 36" of 50 lb. leader, & that's it for pluggin'! I cut back the top 12' of mono. very frequently, esp. when throwing 3 oz.+ plugs...

At the height of fishing season, I'm spooling a new top- shot 175 yards of mono. at least every 2- 3 days...

I run about a 13-15' shock leader with all my braid, you just gotta..

Woodster-
go back to mono bro!
Problem solved :D

I run a 4ft section outside of the tip tip. Never cast the knot. Honestly I don't know how come you guys who cast the knots through the guides don't suffer catastrophic snap offs. How often do you change the knots- and how long does it take for the knot to fail if you dont change it. Just curious. I kind of subscribe to the least number of areas where your connection can fail, and a knot going through the guide seems like a prime candidate to fail. What are you secrets for making it work, and let just posting "Alberto Knot" is not answering anything.

Woodster-
go back to mono bro!
Problem solved :D

or loose the bailles caveman spinner and go convench :bounce:

rocks yes
sand no

nebe NOT going to happen

shocker , yes for conventional. No for spinning,just a leader.

Shock for conventional a must - run it a couple of turns into the reel!:hihi:

:eek: Also - Crazy Alberto knot is fine when tied properly.:eek:

I run a 4ft section outside of the tip tip. Never cast the knot. Honestly I don't know how come you guys who cast the knots through the guides don't suffer catastrophic snap offs. How often do you change the knots- and how long does it take for the knot to fail if you dont change it. Just curious. I kind of subscribe to the least number of areas where your connection can fail, and a knot going through the guide seems like a prime candidate to fail. What are you secrets for making it work, and let just posting "Alberto Knot" is not answering anything.


I use a uni to uni knot and have never had one fail. It is small enough that it passes through the guides with ease. The only thing you have to get used to is keeping it on the opposite egde of the spool when you reel it up. I don't know how many times I've cussed then the tag end of the knot tears across my thumb when casting. (60 # mono is enough to cut your thumb open)

shocker , yes for conventional. No for spinning,just a leader.

What Mac said.

I always use a leader. On conventionals I use an albright knot. No problem going thru the guides.