Fluorocarbon Leaders

[goreds.king]

Ever since I’ve been fishing I’ve tied the lure straight to my monofilament line. I’ve read and seen videos of folks tying fluorocarbon leaders and I think I may have been missing out. I understand the reasoning behind using the fluoro leader, just not sure how to go about it. With that…could someone help shed some light on this for me?


What application do you use it with (everything, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc.)?
Do you match the pound test of the fluoro with the pound test of the monofilament?
What knot do you use to connect the two lines (or do you use a swivel to connect them)?
Typically how long of a leader to you use (or does it depend on the application)?

This is probably elementary for most fishermen, but I’ve never had anyone teach or tell me about it. Any help is appreciated.

[TNBronzeback]

I personally dont use flou-carbon line, but i do use braid with a mono leader (for stretch/shock purposes), so maybe it could be categorized into the same thing. Anytime i use braid whether the water is gin clear, or chocolate milk, i will use a leader of appropriate pound test. with the 'invisible' attributes to flour-carbon you can use a heavy pound test and not worry about the fish seeing it. i always use a simple barrel swivel and for 2 reasons, 1) i dont trust my blood knots and 2) i try my best to eliminate any line twist with my method of fishing. The leader length varies depending on your application and water clairty, i wouldnt think that anymore than 3ft would be nessesary and maybe thats too much, but the longer the leader the more guides your knot/swivel will need to pass thru on cast/retrieve. but the leader is used for all types of fishing whether its cranking, or jig fishing or whatever. if i have my facts right, i dont think flour-carbon is good for topwater since i think it sinks, but i may be wrong about that.
Thats what i personally do and it works for me, maybe that helps.

[txnative]

Answers:

1) everything but topwater...fluoro sinks.

2) fluoro and mono have similar diameters, so try to match breaking strengths, with these exceptions: A) fishing jigs or soft plastics in cover. Go ahead and bump up if you want to, fluoro's low-viz properties allow you to use a thicker, stronger line...useful for abrasion resistance; and B) fishing smaller or finesse lures. Fluoro's low visibility really shines in clear water, and using 6 or 8 lb fluoro with 10-14 lb mono (or, as I prefer, braid) lets you use smaller baits and not have to switch rods. I've used everything from 2 lb to 10 lb fluoro with 8 lb braid depending on lure, fish species, location, etc.

3) uni to uni knot is my favorite line-line connection, but I've used Albright knots and triple surgeon knots, too. Another option is tying a spider hitch on your main line and a perfection loop on your leader to use a loop to loop connection. These are all for lines from 10 lbs and down. I won't use a swivel on these lighter lines since it tends to affect the action/sink rate of my lures. On heavier lines, I use a black barrel swivel.

4) leader length varies. If I'm using a line-line connection, I use around 3 ft of fluoro. This lets me change lures enough times to usually get thru a day without having to replace leaders. If I'm using a swivel, I usually keep my leader around 18-24 inches. You DO NOT want your swivel passing thru your guides, this is a great way to destroy your guides. I keep the swivel completely out if my guides, and having your lure 18" or so away from your rodtip doesn't affect casting too badly.


Feel free to ask me any more questions or to clarify anything I've stated, I'm more than happy to help.


Chris Bryant

[MNfisher]

I typically always use braid unless i am ultra light fishing. And I ALWAYS have a 18" flouro leader on unless I am fishing for huge striper. Then I just use 80 lb braid straight to the lure.

2 years ago I started using a flouro leader and started using a loop knot on my jigs, swimbaits, jerkbaits and cranks. I feel like my catching increased considerably!!

[goreds.king]

This is great information. I appreciate the feedback. I have always used monofilament (kind of…Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft is a co-polymer). It getting hard to find the color I like and the past few times I’ve been out I have gotten skunked so I’m looking to change it up a little bit.

txnative and MNfisher, you mention that you use braid. Do you use this on spinning reels also? Braid is a little more expensive than what I’ve been using, but I’m looking to experiment on one of my setups. Can you advise a brand and # test? I’ll probably put it on my jig or worm rod.

[Buccaneer]

I always use braid-to-Flouro leaders on my spinning tackle for shaky heads, slider baits, and similar applications. Use the "Modified Albright" or "Alberto" knot for this connection. http://www.stripersonline.com/a/albertos-knot
http://www.thefisherman.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.knotsteps&Knot_ID=29

[Alphahawk]

This is great information. I appreciate the feedback. I have always used monofilament (kind of…Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft is a co-polymer). It getting hard to find the color I like and the past few times I’ve been out I have gotten skunked so I’m looking to change it up a little bit.

txnative and MNfisher, you mention that you use braid. Do you use this on spinning reels also? Braid is a little more expensive than what I’ve been using, but I’m looking to experiment on one of my setups. Can you advise a brand and # test? I’ll probably put it on my jig or worm rod.

If you want a good Super Line for a spinning reel you need to try some NanoFil...but you will have to have a leader on it no matter the fish you are after. It has no abrasion resistance and a leader is necessary. But you can cast the stuff a mile. I use fluorocarbon leader on 95% of my fishing...I mostly use 2# test line. If you do any trout fishing using fluorocarbon leader is a must. All fluorocarbon leader is not the same....some are better than others. All the manufactures have a refractive index on their line....we don't see that figure but it exists. There is a reason Seaguar Grand Max costs what it does. It has the least reflectivity of any fluorocarbon leader around. I use Lealand's Lures Phantom Leader in 2# and 3# test. It is a good leader....but if the trout are really slow you can use Grand Max as a leader and you will get more hook ups..but it is expensive...especially the way I go through leader.



Regards

[white95v6]

I almost always use 100% fluorocarbon.

[Dakota]

Ever since I’ve been fishing I’ve tied the lure straight to my monofilament line. I’ve read and seen videos of folks tying fluorocarbon leaders and I think I may have been missing out. I understand the reasoning behind using the fluoro leader, just not sure how to go about it. With that…could someone help shed some light on this for me?


What application do you use it with (everything, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc.)?
Do you match the pound test of the fluoro with the pound test of the monofilament?
What knot do you use to connect the two lines (or do you use a swivel to connect them)?
Typically how long of a leader to you use (or does it depend on the application)?

This is probably elementary for most fishermen, but I’ve never had anyone teach or tell me about it. Any help is appreciated.

I use power pro braid 20 pound on all of my spinning reels. I put 8 pound up to 20 to 25 pound fluorocarbon leader depending what I'm doing. I never use a barrel swivel and always use a double Albright knot. If I have a big jig put on 20 if I'm throwing a crankbait put on 8. My leader is generally about 4 feet. This has been pretty flawless for me I love it.


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[MNfisher]

txnative and MNfisher, you mention that you use braid. Do you use this on spinning reels also? Braid is a little more expensive than what I’ve been using, but I’m looking to experiment on one of my setups. Can you advise a brand and # test? I’ll probably put it on my jig or worm rod.

I use 10 lb fire line on just about all my spinning reels, casts great, lasts a few years, never breaks on me as long as my drag is set right. I also have 30 lb power pro on a bigger spinning reel for striper. I also have some 25 lb wonderbraid on a reel and LOVE IT!! Cheaper, strong, casts great! You can find it on treasurecoasttackle.com

[txnative]

8, 10, and 20 lb fireline crystal on my most used spinning rods. I also have 50 lb power pro on my "big fish" casting rod.


Chris Bryant

[TNBronzeback]

8, 10, and 20 lb fireline crystal on my most used spinning rods. I also have 50 lb power pro on my "big fish" casting rod.


Chris Bryant

Do you ever have a problem with fire line "digging into itself on the reel"?
Maybe its the spinning reels ive used in the past but ive had that problem with fireline. It almost feels flat to me. Ive been using power pro and thats been working pretty good for me.
I have seen some bulk spools of various braids on amazon for cheap that im thinking about trying....for the cost/yardage it might be a good deal.

[MNfisher]

I have never had a problem with fireline, I used 14 lb for many years, I went to 10 lb last year and like it better, casts much better.

[txnative]

I love fireline. Power pro has had inconsistencies that pushed me away (I've been a braid devotee for almost 10 yrs now). Fireline has had better abrasion resistance, resistance to wind knots, and holds knots better than power pro, stren superbraid, sufix performance braid, bass pro's brand of braid, and tuf line in my experience.


Chris Bryant

[goreds.king]

The more I read the more I like the idea of braid. I do have one other (probably elementary) question. Say you’re fishing with braid and a flouro leader, when you go to change out baits (and I do frequently) do you have to re-tie a new leader? This is assuming you are trying to keep the leader a certain length. If you re-tie a new leader every time it would be very time consuming.

[MNfisher]

I only retie a new leader when it gets too short for my liking. Start at 2'. You can retie several times before you get down to 12-14", which is when I change leaders.

[goreds.king]

Makes sense. Thanks Mike!

[TNBronzeback]

yeah braid is awesome once you get used to it and get the feel for it, better vibration on the crankbaits, and feeling the slightest little tick tick as your finesse baits slowly fall into the promise land. Keep your drag lose-er though, braid has zero stretch and you will straighten hooks and rip lips!

[TroutFiend]

This is interesting... I primarily use P-Line 8lb. LowViz green mist. Would the braid work well for wacky rigs and weighted tube fishing with flouro leader?




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[Dakota]

This is interesting... I primarily use P-Line 8lb. LowViz green mist. Would the braid work well for wacky rigs and weighted tube fishing with flouro leader?




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Yupp it would.


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[MNfisher]

This is interesting... I primarily use P-Line 8lb. LowViz green mist. Would the braid work well for wacky rigs and weighted tube fishing with flouro leader?




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Yes sir!

[TroutFiend]

I am going to try it out then. Using 8lb mono successfully, should I give 8lb braid with 8lb flouro leader a shot?


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[Pookie]

I am going to try it out then. Using 8lb mono successfully, should I give 8lb braid with 8lb flouro leader a shot?


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Typically, 8# braid is the diameter equivalent to mono. 8# braid is strength rated at 40#. For instance, I use 12# braid on my casting rigs, but it has a strength rating of 65# test. I am still using mono on most of my spinning rods.

[MNfisher]

I am going to try it out then. Using 8lb mono successfully, should I give 8lb braid with 8lb flouro leader a shot?


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I personally would go to 10 or 14. 8# braid will have the diameter of 2# mono

[txnative]

I am going to try it out then. Using 8lb mono successfully, should I give 8lb braid with 8lb flouro leader a shot?


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It depends. I personally like to use leaders with a LOWER breaking strength if constant hang-ups will occur (I.e. below a dam). This way I can break off at the lure rather than lose the whole leader. I use this rule especially when using a line-line connection to avoid having to cut off and re-tie every time I get snagged.

In most situations and locations, though, I will use a leader that is rated equal or maybe a bit above the braid's rated breaking strength. One exception, however, is when I am throwing cranks. I try to stay at or below 10 lb leaders when I'm crankbaiting. I feel the heavier leaders impede a crankbait's action, especially balsa-bodied ones like Rapala's Shad Rap and the Original Floater.


Chris Bryant