Flurocarbon Leader

[Jackson 53]

I was fishing with 6lb Nitlon leader recently and catching Whiting, Bream, Flathead, School Jew etc on Bloodworm Squidgy Wrigglers when I hooked a reasonably big Flathead (70 cm +) and lost it when it sawed through the leader at the boat with a single head shake before I could get the net under it. It had completely inhaled the Wriggler so my leader was running over the rasping bottom jaw.

Although I prefer to fish as light as possible I resent losing decent fish so decided I had better buy some more 12lb Nitlon Fluorocarbon Leader (I’ve nearly run out) but before I did I thought that I would conduct some tests to compare the abrasion resistance of the lines that I currently use for leader.

I dragged some 12lb Berkley Vanish, 12lb Nitlon and 15lb Black Magic Tough Fluorocarbon Leader from side to side (to simulate a big Flathead shaking its head) over the 90 degree rough edge of my bench vice jaw and found that although there wasn’t much difference between all three lines the 12lb Vanish was harder to break and scuffed up quite a bit before it actually let go.

I have always suspected clever marketing and popular perception allows fishing line manufacturers to charge a premium for “leader” material that is no better (if not worse) than plain old Berkley Vanish which sells for less than a quarter of the price.

How ‘bout that.

[FishHunter]

I would say there is more to it than what can rub against a vice for longer

[HeadBanger]

I would say there is more to it than what can rub against a vice for longer

I agree, especially when I've found Vanish to be somewhat crap, especially around rocks/oysters. I prefer to use 15lb black magic leader when fishing for flathead, as I've found it to be the best value for money product, but if jinkai was a little cheaper and came in spools of a breaking strain smaller than 15lb, I would be using it exclusively.

Cheers,
Kaidon

[004dam]

When your fishing that light it's just a case of win some lose some. I use 6lb nitlon alot and find it to be pretty darn good. Managed a 56cm jack on it. But I've lost trevs pretty darn quickly.

I think there is a tad more the scuff factor. You still want it to hold knots etc and I've seen some bad reports on it's strength.

[Jackson 53]

Thanks for your responses everyone. What you say makes a lot of sense and I appreciate your taking the time to share your experience with me.

I'll perservere with the 6lb Nitlon for finesse fishing and upgrade to 15lb Black Magic when there are big Flathead lurking about.

It always amazes me that the biggest fish that you catch on the day always jumps onto the lightest outfit but thats a pretty good argument for fishing light.

Maybe a good compromise is to use the lighter leader but tie on a short length (say 12 inches) of bite tippet for a bit of insurance when abrasion resistance to rocks, oysters etc is not an issue.

[FishHunter]

"finesse" fishing for me nowadays is 15lb Power Pro braid and 12lb Sunline V hard flouro leader. Cant say I am tempted to go lighter with the ooglies that run around here.

Another tip with flatties is not to lift the head out of the water untill you have the net under them. They generally dont head shake if their head is in the water.

[Jurkyjj]

Always have and always will use the black magic range of leaders in all sizes.
IMHO they are the best on the market and what I feel the most comfortable with.

Just my 2 cents worth.

thanks Jason