Flourocarbon leader questions?

[chasin'tail]

Just remember flouro requires different knots, flouro will cut into itself. And yes it is stiffer that mono. They do have some that are more limp.

[Spunt Drag]

I tied 20lb Berkeley fluoro and I don't like the feel of it, ima try some mono tomorrow

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by Spunt Drag

I tied 20lb Berkeley fluoro and I don't like the feel of it, ima try some mono tomorrow

I could see heavier leaders when the odds of a bull red are high and youdo't want to break off, but if trout are the only thing on the menu, I really prefer 15 lb fluorocarbon. I often use a 6' leader so the visibility of the braid is far away and the impact on the action is minimal.

[jpeff31787]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

I could see heavier leaders when the odds of a bull red are high and youdo't want to break off, but if trout are the only thing on the menu, I really prefer 15 lb fluorocarbon. I often use a 6' leader so the visibility of the braid is far away and the impact on the action is minimal.

how do you tie your leaders? I've tried and they've failed everytime. Is it because I usually only tie about a 2ft leader and the shock is causing it to fail? I used 12#flouro to 20#flouroleader and I think it was a uni to uni knot.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by jpeff31787

how do you tie your leaders? I've tried and they've failed everytime. Is it because I usually only tie about a 2ft leader and the shock is causing it to fail? I used 12#flouro to 20#flouroleader and I think it was a uni to uni knot.

I tried uni to uni knots which work OK most of the time, but occasionally fail. I've gone to trying a snap on the braid (uni knot) and a swivel on the leader to connect to the snap. This works very well, although I replace leaders at least daily when fishing inshore in Louisiana. A six foot leader requires more care in both casting and landing, but it works so well that I put up with it.

I fish with bait almost exclusively, and I do not set the hook, so my leaders don't experience much shock. If a rod is in a rod holder, I set the drag really loose so if a big fish hits, he'll run and often swallow the bait rather than loading the pole and pulling out or loading the pole and breaking off. When fishing crab or 6-12" bait fish, I'll give the rod a 6 count before even picking it up. (Of course, I usually have a 60-80 lb leader when bottom fishing crab or big bait fish.)

If the rod is in my hand, I am more likely working structure, so I'll gently but rather quickly increase the pressure to keep the fish out of the structure, but without ever really making a jerking motion. I usually only have a 15-20 lb leader when fishing live shrimp relatively shallow (under a cork) in clear water. In this case, the leader is 18-24" long, but still tied to a swivel connected to the braid via the snap on the braid. Working birds or baitfish away from structure, I will gently apply pressure and reel the fish in without a hook set.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by chasin'tail

Just remember flouro requires different knots, flouro will cut into itself. And yes it is stiffer that mono. They do have some that are more limp.

Usually the fluoro that is intended as main casting line is more limp, but the dedicated leader materials better withstand abrasion.