Fluorocarbon leaders

[steveessie]

I've been using sevenstrand leader for quite a while and have recently been having trouble with the leaders breaking at the crimp sleeves. I have read/discussed with several sources about fluorocarbon leaders and their advantages/disadvantages and was wondering if anybody could give me suggestions about my current leader problems and any suggestions about fluorocarbon leaders. Thanks in advance.

Steve

[Jim McCullough]

Steeeeeve! How ya doin' bud? Havent' heard from you in a while. How are things on the big Leech?

[Musk Rat]

Depending on the application you will need different weight leaders 60# to 80# can be tied heavier line needs crimps I also recomend thimbles with crimped leaders to prevent wear while trolling. I make 200# leaders for Marc Thorpe and I can say with confidence they are the strongest in the world totaly unbreakable even when they wrap around the hook. Also they offer some shock absorbtion. Use thick walled salt water crimps.

[Marc Thorpe]

I second that,leaders that last 2 years are not on the market.
Andy does make em.They are the best.
None come even remotly close to the quality.
200/100 pound.
Problem is quality of his leaders are so high that the expense is attached so commercially demand might not be there due to prices that would be tagged.
Nice thing,he shares his knowledge in building and willing to share tips in the fabrication of them.
Before anyone decides to make them for the market,remember they
are Andy (Bald Eagle Tackle) Morraller leaders.
marc

[Turgeon]

I tie my own out of 150lb seastrand, no problems at all, the material is readily available thru saltwater outlets cataloges etc.

[Skyman]

I switched to fluorcarbon in the middle of my first season of musky fishing mainly because of leaders breaking at the crimps. I now use 30 lb fluorocarbon. I had some failures at first but once I figured out the proper knots to use I've not had a problem since. I can't use as light a fluorocarbon as I am on lakes with zebra mussels though. They slice it up. To tie you fluoro leader directly to your line use an Albright Knot or fisherman's knot.

[Patrick]

Marc will correct me if I am wrong, but the use of 200# leader also helps prevent fish from hurting themselves when they wrap themselves up in the line during the fight. The leader is so large in terms of diameter that it doesn't cut through the flesh of the beasts. I now feel like a true barbarian for I am still using sevenstrand. Hate to see fish hurt or kinked leaders that get tangled in the lure. Two or three fluorocarbon leader are my priority for next season, whatever the price may be. The ones Marc is using are truly well made. They are the ones I'll try and get! Tight lines everybody! Patrick

P.S. Marc! My brand new hook cutters work really well! Pat