Anyone use just braid with no leader?

[senkosam]

I do a lot of ultra-light fishing and found that 8# test braid does fine. It never breaks when fighting a large fish and most time the hook will straighten when pulling out of a snag. The small diameter of braid allows the best lure action for hard and soft baits and well as good light strike detection/hook sets at a distance. Is there a reason for using an f/c or mono leader?

[OOlicon]

The main reason is abrasion resistance, under tension, PE based lines tend to shear easily. They also have a strong tendency to float which can hider some presentations especially finesse ones like weightless wacky.
Other than that the only other reason to use a FC or mono leader is for shock absorption unless you're good about drag management/hooking fish in open water (good luck), or use a hook that can take the pain.
I still use a leader for my finesse for these reasons.

[senkosam]

Thanks for the reply.

[La Mesan]

When I'm working a fluke over the top of grass.

[VinnyBass]

I use straight braid on a number of my rods.
Two of my flippin' rods have straight braid(40 & 50lb PowerPro) as I usually flip a Tokyo rig or weighted worm or craw into cover.
A few other bait caster rods (I believe have 20 & 30lb PowerPro)for tossing Texas rigged worms, crawbaits or jigs.
One of my spinning rods has 20lb braid(PowerPro) and I never have any problems casting or or getting wind knots etc. I may toss
a senko or work a small Texas rigged crawbait, a Ned rig or other small weighted worm.
I just decided that I can use other rods if I want to use line other than braid, especially at lakes that have pretty clear water.
Other than that, I have not used a leader when I use braid for at least over 10 years.

[senkosam]

I figure if I can catch fish on a 1/32 oz jig + soft plastic using only braid and still catch a sh.load of fish, I don't see any advantage of going back to using plastic lines that don't cast light lures nearly as good.