While this is a tackle issue, ive posted it in here as im inclined to think thats where it gets used most. To use or not use fluorocarbon leader. I have used it a lot, and I know some wont fish without it. Im not claiming that im an expert or my views are correct. It can be a pain to tie is heavier sizes, and you may have a preferred knot for the heavier set.
Can you offer your view on what species it affects as far as strike rate, ?and perhaps what environment. Eg. Offshore, reef, estuary, rivers, impoundments.
"let not he boast who puts his armor on, as he who takes it off"
I always use it nowadays, but a few years ago I remember just going to the beach with a sinker and hook straight on the end of mono with no leader and still constantly getting fish. I think because I now use braid I really need some abrasion resistance on the end. My 2 cents.
Cheers,
John
Black magic fluro here....tough as....fishing for jew/jack/tailor ....20lb leader with 3 or 4 meters slim beauty tied to the braid....do double loops to swivel both sides and a single loop to the hook so if you snag the knot at the hook usually lets go first and you don't lose the lot ....its a lot tougher than just using old 20lb nylon and even using 20lb leader even small bream and whiting still have a go at it ...
Since when did FC leader material become the leader in abrasion resistance? It is woeful compared to some of the old school nylons and copolymers.
FC is primarily about visibility or lack there of, for this there is no match.
Starlo did abrasion testing of many of the FC, nylon and hybrid lines on the market two years back and that testing clearly shows that FC is lousy in comparison. I think the results were in a Fishlife magazine.......possibly.
Jack.
Some fishos I know simply use Schneider mono. I know its tough
"let not he boast who puts his armor on, as he who takes it off"
i use whats in the boat and dont worry about it anymore,
Tangles KFC
I always use fluorocarbon, either Black Magic or Vanish.
If it means at least 1 more fish in a heavily fished area with clear and shallow water then it's a small and easy effort in the long run, almost a no-brainer perhaps?
As for knots, it's no different to tying normal leader material I reckon. Nothing fancy, to tie a hook just an 8 turn half blood knot as it was known as in the 90's. I've never lost any type of fish due to that knot failing.
For tying to braid, just an overhand knot in the leader and an 8 turn full blood knot with the braid to secure both together. Lubricate, pull down tight and snip off close. Finished knot small enough to pass through the rings easily. Takes a heap of force, or an incorrect drag setting for that to come apart lol.
Cheers,
Chris
I use it for lure fishing but can't help wonder if I'm getting conned by good marketing. They say it's near invisible but many fluorocarbons have a shiny surface reflecting light and are visible to me in the water. While I'm not entirely convinced by the marketing hype I would definitely use it for shallow water/clear fishing applications to be confident in my gear I guess. I don't really see the need for it in deep water or night fishing. I use both for live bait fishing and have caught fish on both without the fish showing a preference for either.
Yeah I'm the same, shallow water estuary fishing I use flurocarbon deeper off shore and live baiting in the estuary I use mono. I think the prices are a big con. Why does Berkley sell small 50m rolls of vanish for 23 dollars but you can also get a 300m of 100% fluro vanish for $25.
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...of all the liars among mankind, the fisherman is the most trustworthy. ~William Sherwood Fox.
A bit like Schneider leader as well, its the same stuff as there usual mono ( not talking about their fluro)
reckon it ends up what your confident with if using x brand of fluro or scents on a plastic or a particular type of lure is going to get you fish then get stuck into it… a bit like reels or rods
i fished with an old favourite last weekend, an old Howard Bay Hunter with a 3500B and mono, had just as much fun as with the dedicated light string outfits
Tangles KFC
I use the cheaper 250yard FC Vanish as my leader - no issues as yet. Heaps cheaper than the smaller specific FC leader rolls.
A bit of googling shows that the vanish FC line in the big rolls and vanish FC leader in the little roll are quite different.. Most of the guys ragging out vanish have been using the larger line rolls not the leader specific rolls. The leader rolls are apparently slightly different diameter line with more stretch and better abrasion resistance than their FC line. I also have used it with no issues that a decent FC would of helped with.. Except maybe feeling a bit more supple and slightly easy to tie leader knot with.
Kids who Hunt and Fish, Don't Deal and Steal.
I always use the black magic leader from 4lb to 60lb with an Albright knot to tie from the braided main line always seems to work ok I've never had a problem as for the cheaper ones vs the dearer ones throw some in a fish tank and there is a huge difference onvisibility
i use FC purely for greater stealth and thats it, if you want abrasion resistance ya cant go past pink ande, we used to use it for kings and marlin off the stones and then straight through schnieder for drummer and groper.. it depends what your doing.. use just normal leader material and it seems to scuff easier or go dull easier and therefore easier to see.
Just my 2 cents.
In shallow water i believe fluro carbon is a must, ive had mates in my boat not using FC and not getting half as many bites/fish as me. I think its a must for bream fishing as some days they are picky and ive tested using baits in super clear water where i can see the bream and they hit the FC more then normal lines.
I also had this debat with my dad when we were making reef rigs, we tested it in 30metres of water and my FC line caught more fish, On multiple occasions.
Also tested it in 50-70metres but it was much of a muchness.
I reccomend having FC in the tackle box for the days the fish are abit flighty and not really falling to the baits or plastics.
As for night i don't think it makes a difference as i fish with glowing beads so if they arn't scared of a glow bead they won't be scared of line.
Fishermans preferrence depends on what your targeting to what gear you should be using to be most effective. Test it yourself and see what results show, have 2 identical baits in the water one FC one not, see what catches more fish in your area/depth/sunlight on that day.
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