Leader Recommendations?

[Poodroo]

G'day everyone,

With the ever increasing amount of people using braid these days I thought I would start a thread where we can all share some knowledge on what we find is the best leader irrespective of how much it costs. The things I am interested in personally are in the 10 - 20 lb categories and features which include strength, thinnest possible diameters, least amount of freying amongst the reefs etc. Currently I have been using 12 lb vanish. How does this brand stack up in everyones' eyes? What brands are you all using out there and what do you find is best about it?

Regards,

Poodroo

[Leighton]

Nitlon 10, 12 and 16lbs
Nitlon seems to have a harder outer, I was using Rock FC before also Famill. I found that my Mainline ( Castaway ) was cutting the leader material at the Braid to leader connection. Tried several different knots..Allbright, Impro All, Uni, Mike Connolley, 5 Turn with and without a Bimini Twist with no joy.
Tried Nitlon and now use either a Mike Connolley or Improved Allbright, If i get a snag the leader now breaks at the Jig

[Roo]

I used 12lb Seaguar (Kokoda) flourocarbon and found it very good. knots well and handled some fish far stronger than it. When I ran out of it, i replaced it with 14lb Sunline FC Rock. a Bit stiffer but also slightly thinner. so far had little use but it seems to tie a good knot.
Cheers Roo.

[tunaticer]

I use nitlon as well I have used the Vanish and its like butter compared to nitlon around the reefs.
For 20lb i also like jinkai even though its not a flourocarbon leader.

Jack.

[chewy01]

A guide put me onto schneider up north and its all i use.i find it ok its the right price and very abrasive resistant.works for me.thinking of giving windons a go though.
chewy.............

[reddybayfisher]

My preference is Penn 10X.....I will use 10lb through to 40lb depending on the target fish....haven't experience any other brands - although I know there are differences...but as said Penn 10X is just my preference....will keep an eye on this thread to see any other recommendations....

[poundalead]

I use Schneider as well, its cheap and awesome on abrasion.

[Blackened]

G'day

Nitlon for me as well, had the same observations as Jack...... leaves the vanish for dead regards abrasion resistance

Dave

[Tim_N]

Leighton,
Do you tie the Albright with or with out a Bimini. I'm reckoning that by doubling the main line, then tying the Albright is the go. It is one less knot to fail and the doubled main line I think, just helps with the braid cutting ther leader factor. Your thoughts?
Tim

[NAGG]

Yamotoyo for me ... Great abrasion resistance & knot strength > Closely followed by Sunlines Egi FC Clear which is a bit cheaper
Personally ..... I never liked the Vanish ( you might as well have used mono IMO)

Nagg

[Leighton]

Leighton,
Do you tie the Albright with or with out a Bimini. I'm reckoning that by doubling the main line, then tying the Albright is the go. It is one less knot to fail and the doubled main line I think, just helps with the braid cutting ther leader factor. Your thoughts?
Tim
Yeah tried both with and without a Bimini, I tend to use a Bimini more often than not but since changing to Nitlon my leader cutting issues have been solved

[barra_mauler001]

yep 10lb nitlon for bass... holds up well, ties good knots and doesnt frey easily!

cheers barra

[Kleyny]

Seaguar for me

neil

[abbot_86]

i use nitlon in the lighter stuff up tp 12lb, but use penn 10x in the heavier up to 80lb . i just find the nitlon gets to stiff and ridged in the heavy stuff. and the penn 10x is soft but very strong. cheers

[Keechie]

hi, i have used alot of leaders for my breaming so far the one i like mos tis what i just bought. i have fished with it on 3 occasions now and have never been snapped off or bitten off by a fish on it (i'm using 4lb) i even managed to cast into a snag and still wit hthe 4lb i could pull the boat over to where it was snagged and get it out. it is incredibly strong, incredibly thin, incredilbly cheap, incredibly clear. well i think its cheap comes in 100m spools for about 15 bucks. i guess you are all wondering what... PLATYPUS STEALTH LEADER!!!

regards,
keechie

[smoked]

have a look at Sun Line Egi Leader comes in 30m. Being a double resin 100% flurocarbon it is tough yet retains excellent knot strength. Designed for saltwater it is super clear. Priced around $10 a spool.

smoked

[Horse]

In fluro I like the Yamatoyo Harris stuff along with Seaguar. I found the vanish a bit soft.
In mono the Penn 10X is tough but I prefer the Black Magic

Cheers

Neil

[bayfisher]

Another one for Yamotoyo, works well for me.

[Why-ting]

Yamatoyo for me aswell, havent had any trouble or any bad batches from this for over a year of hard use. Sunline rock would run second but not in the same league.

[plaztix]

I've got Yamotoyo harris fighter in 4lb, 8lb, 10lb, 12lb and just got some in 30lb. I have vanish in 8lb and 12lb and it doesn't compare. Trying the nitlon in 16lb and sunline FC rock in 20lb and both seem alright but still prefer the yamatoyo.

Anything over 30lb i use black magic.

[revs57]

G'day Poo,

Ahh the leader question - one of the most important part of kit as it connects the rig to whatever it is ya gonna pull it in on.

i must admit I'm still working on it.

In the heavyier line I've had a go at a few - I've been through jinkai - too soft and too much memory, a bit similar with Black magic supple trace, gone away from that too for similar reasons. I've found Black magic tough trace O.K. good to tie knots, good abrasion resistence and doesn't kink up. I don't mind schnieder - very tough and abrasive resistent, ties up well, little or no memory, same with Penn 10x and these are the leaders i use mostly. I'm experimenting with moi moi in the xos leader category for skirts etc. We used it in the 60lb @ Fraser last year and it performed really well. I would like to give some sufix superior a crack in the 20lb plus leader sizes but i haven't been able to find any around. I find Fluro in the heavier lines almost a waste of money, probably good to tip up a mono leader, just for that lack of visability if the fish are really finnicky, but good mono leader works fine in the heavier classes for nearly half the cost.

In the lighter stuff I've looked at Triumph Shock leader - its a Japanese fluro and I'm reasonably happy with it, it really springs off the spool as a typical fluro does with all the invisibility/abrasion resistence/lack of stretch of a fluro. But mostly I go for the Sufix Braid Buddy in the under 10kg category, its a mono, doesn't break the bank and does the job.

Cheers

Rhys

[Cheech]

Nobody has voted for Black Magic yet. I use to use 10x. Not bad leader. Tried vanish and hated it. Had inconsistency in breaking strain. Mostly use black magic now.

[Crumbo]

Yamatoyo for me too.

Used it for well over a year and It is alot better than the vanish I was using previously IMO.

[Little grey men]

Tried quite a few on the bass and have settled on FC Rock. 12 and 20lb
Doesn't cost the earth, seems to tie well and is fairly strong.

[leelee]

For the 10lb-20lb range here is what I use -

10lb nitlon
12lb nitlon
12 lb vanish
16 lb Sunline
20 lb vanish
20lb Jinkai

Cheers

Lee

[Poodroo]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like Nitlon is the prefered leader to use by the responses. Does anyone know the diameter of it? I am looking for the thinnest and most invisible if there is such a thing.

Poodroo

[NAGG]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like Nitlon is the prefered leader to use by the responses. Does anyone know the diameter of it? I am looking for the thinnest and most invisible if there is such a thing.

Poodroo

Phoooeee ...... Looks like a draw to me .... Nitlon & Yamotoyo :-/ ::) 8-)

you'd be happy with either8-)

Nagg

[Leighton]

Nitlon 12lbs is 0.307mm

[plaztix]

Yamatoyo 12lb is .285mm

Go the yamotoyo;D::)

[SummerTrance]

I been using the Yamotoyo 14lb Flouro. Had no problems with it. never been busted on it and never had a knot break. Although im gunna step down to something lighter next time.

[slyman]

Another for yamatoyo, 10-20lb, I tie it to my fins prt with a double uni, and it has never failed me yet.

simon

[tasreeling]

Rock FC for me 8lb.

My first post!!!!

[scrubba01]

I mainly only fish 40 pound and up have found Black Magic Tough Trace to be a good leader, not bad on memory and good abbrassion resistance, don't know about knot strength don't use them any more I swage all my leaders. Have tried the platipus stuff too much memory and the Penn 10 X is terrible for abbrassion. On a recent reef trip catching Red Throat at night it would only last for 2 drops if you are lucky, with black magic you would get 10 and more drops.

[Poodroo]

Rock FC for me 8lb.

My first post!!!!

I have used Rock FC in 12lb and find it is okay as well but does frey reasonably easy on reef structure. Welcome to Ausfish.

Poodroo

[haybii]

Black Magic

[skeeter]

I use vanish but i not overly impressed with it. Been thinking of changing to something else. I am watching this thread to see what people are using and what they are prepared to recommend.

I see nitlon is the favourite at the moment, maybe this thread should be converted to a poll.

Peter

[Poodroo]

I use vanish but i not overly impressed with it. Been thinking of changing to something else. I am watching this thread to see what people are using and what they are prepared to recommend.

I see nitlon is the favourite at the moment, maybe this thread should be converted to a poll.

Peter

I was thinking the same thing Peter. If one of the mods feels like making this a poll then feel free to do so.

Regards,

Poodroo

[paul cooper]

back magic fluro 20 lb breaks about 10 lb i think its too soft may go buy some 20 lb snieder coop