If you’re aching for a lesson in frustration, tie your topwater onto an outfit spooled with braided line. Light, limp and oh so buoyant, braid tends to gather just where you don’t want it – right in front of that first treble hook.
Now, you can certainly work topwaters on braided line — especially if you’re limited on tackle and you need braid for other applications.
But a fluorocarbon leader will help preserve your sanity in multiple ways. First, fluoro sinks, so it remains clear of those hooks. Also, fluoro’s invisible beneath the surface, so fish won’t see that prominent stripe of braided line.
Abrasion resistance is also a plus when fishing near docks, timber or anywhere your bass might find a rough surface. In such cases, fluoro will hold its own.
A loop knot will ensure maximum motion for your topwater. If you use a fluoro leader with braided main line, link the two with a Double-Uni knot.
