Fluorocarbon line for live rigs???

[Butch]

I am sorry if this has been addr. recently.
I am looking at still keeping my fireline for my main line, but have seen the advertising. for "Vanish" and such.
Has anyone out there used this line?
I am looking for opionins and advice....

Thanx in Adv.
B2

[Eyez (SD)]

I've been using Vanish along side mono for my snells for about a year now, and I've come to a few conclusions.

1. It's stiffer, not as limp so I went to using 6 lb vanish. I think that anything heavier would kill the action of a slow moving leech or minnow. I'm going to try 4lb this spring yet to see how it works. I usually try not to use 4 lb mono because it gets nicked up too bad and breaks without constant inspection of the line (which I know I should do anyway :), but I think that the vanish would be fine because of the higher abrasion resistance.

2. The claim to fame of flourocarbon for leaders is that it has a refractive index similar to water, so it is almost invisible when submerged. I've used it side by side with mono leaders on quite a few days, and I think that there is some benefit to using it, but I haven't noticed significant differences. I think that on a tough day it could make all the difference in the world though.

My bottom line: It's not that much more expensive, and I want every advantage I can get, however small it may be.



Eyez (SD)

[REW]

I have been doing a bit of testing of the florocarbon lines.

Before you decide on using a given line -- of any strength -- tie a line between a couple of dowels, and use a fish scale to check the breaking strength.

Make sure that you wet your knots well. Because of the nature of florocarbon line -- it is very important, that the lines be wetted before tightning. If you don't there can be too much heat generated during the knot tightning, and actually very much weaken the line.

Based on my tests -- I have found a very large difference in breaking strength of the florocarbon lines compared to the "mono" or "super lines". (In most cases, the breaking strength -- is somewhat less than the same brand "mono" line. I agree, however, that most mono lines break at lb tests that are considerably higher than what is marked on the spool.


I totally agree that the florocarbon lines are the way to go for terminal tackle. However, be sure that you select an adequate lb test of what ever brand that you choose, for the particular type of fishing that you are doing, and for the expected fish that you expect to catch.

Take care

REW

[RANGER]

I am tying my worm harnesses with both mono and vanish. To date, I haven't experienced any great advantage with the Vanish, but, in fairness, I haven't been using them all that much, yet!

One thing I feel I must warn you of - wet your knot very well when tying. This line does not "slip" into a tight configuration easily! I have resorted to mineral oil on a Que-tip sometimes so as to get it as tight as mono ties!

[Butch]

Thanx for the comments!
Has anyone tried it on Mille Lac's???

[Ernie]

I switched to using Seaguar FC line last year for my live bait rigs. Like you, I also use Fireline on the spools. I have been using 6-10ft snells, depending on condtions. I use 10lb test FC line for the snells and 14/6 Fireline. With the lo-vis of the FC line, I believe you can get a stronger link without sacraficing for visibility of the line. I did not want to create too weak of a link by going to 6lb or under when using the 14lb Fireline.
Because of the clarity of Mille Lacs, I believe it made a difference during the tough bite. I do not believe it makes much difference what line you would use when using spinners or in dingy water.
I agree with the prior posts regarding the knots - make sure that you are careful when tightening.

[AquaMan]

Like Eyez(SD) and REW, I have been doing some comparisons and a lot of reading on the "Floro's."

Pros:
Vanishes in most waters.
More abrashion resistant than Monos of same rate.
Resists UV aging better then Monos
Lower stretch then Monos

Cons:
Brittle.
High memory so it coils.
Very poor on a spool.
Knots are very sensitive and prone to cutting into themselves.

Floro is more abrasion resistant then mono, however, it is more brittle and prone to snap at the knot easier then a mono of similar size. The benefit, in my mind, is only the vanishing property of a floro in freshwater. Saltwater fisherman prefer the Floros for their resistance to barnicles and coral abbrasion as well as their clarity.

To date, I have been a little disapointed, overall, at the performance of Floro. Don't spool it as a primary line like the ads indicate. (We tried that and made a mess) It is best used as terminal line for spinners or leaders on your jigs like REW said.

I fished the end of last season with 8# FireLine and 4-6 feet of 10# Vanish for a jig leader or on some hand tied spinners and saw no real advantages so I am re-considering that rig this season. I have two ready and am debating whether to do the rest or not.

I would recommend that you try it and see for yourself though. Like the others said WET the line BEFORE you KNOT!:-)

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~