View Full Version : leaders for muskies ?
how many of you guys use flurocarbon for leaders compared to stel leaders ?
rebs
LOTW GUY
10-30-2003, 09:08 PM
Interesting Question however I could guess 99% would say steel. I vote for steel. (Craig Stapon Leader !) The very very best titanium I've ever tried
ToddM
10-30-2003, 09:22 PM
I make my own flourocarbon leaders for casting and trolling. Never had a failure yet. The only application I don't use one is for glide baits.
Jason Bond
10-30-2003, 10:22 PM
I use florocarbon for all my trolling applications except when fishing around rocks. I believe for open water trolling applications that florocarbon will out fish steel everytime.
Musky Mike
10-31-2003, 06:54 AM
I use steel leaders all the way. I've heard it said that flurocarbon leaders likely will result in higher strike ratios than steel. I've also heard it said that due to crimp failures and occasional bite-offs, fluro leaders are more prone to lost fish and lures. I've never suffered a leader failure in over 35 years of musky fishing with steel leaders so I stick with what has served me (and others) extremely well. Perhaps I don't get as many strikes as anglers using flurocarbon leaders, but I don't lose the ones that do strike due to leader failure either.
MLK
Thank you for the input
it is appreciated
rebs
Musk Rat
10-31-2003, 04:35 PM
I know one troller that used one of my floro leaders for two years. He caught a bunch of 50" pluss fish and countless others. I have used floro since 1996 and have never had a failure yet. It is far easier on rolling fish too. Dacron was great for years and still works fine but super braid is better when useing the same diamiter line so why use the outdated stuff. Kinda feel the same about leaders. Andy
lunge maniac
11-04-2003, 01:52 AM
the stapon titianium is by far the best and most affordable on the market, he also make a 18,24 and 36 floral leader on 100 lb test. try them these are AWESOME.
lunge maniac
11-04-2003, 02:04 AM
sorry guy the leader is only avail in canada and sells for about 10. cdn, the florals sell for 1.50 cdn. good luck and catch some fish
lunge maniac
11-04-2003, 02:16 AM
good point try the stapon leader.titianium is wayyyy better than steel
Musk Rat
11-04-2003, 05:57 AM
I would be wary of any leader that costs 1.50 canadian. A good ball bearing swivel cost 1.50. If your serious about your takle you will only trust the ones you make yourself. It costs me anywhere from 3.00 to 6.00 bucks to make my own. If you don`t like floro the 175lb. 68strand cable is the srtongest most flexible leader material avalible. Cheaper and better than titanium leaders. Although titanium is prolly ok as long as you make them yourself. Lots of guys have posted about failures with store bought titanium leaders on this board. Andy
Musk Rat
11-04-2003, 05:59 AM
18lb. 24lb. and 36lb. floro seems a bit light for muskies. In my opinion. I would use at least #60.
EsoxHunter
11-05-2003, 06:27 PM
I agree, waaaay to light, 60 lbs minimum or better yet use a 100lb. You get what you pay for. As Muskrat said good quality swivels, snaps, crimps and flourocarbon are not cheap. Buyer beware!
I used fluorocarbon this year for the first time. I found my strike ratio to be up (around 30 or so hits) but lost 15 fish either due to a poor strike, or I just did not get hooks into them. I was using 130 pound fluoro. Durability was great, never had a failure of any kind, but what bothers me is the hook-up ratio. I just could not put hooks into fish. So...I am unsure if the fluoro was the problem. I think it was more me than anything. I will be fishing with a steel leader for every other fish this coming season to see how hooking ratio changes.
I would tend to agree with others here that the only leaders you can trust are the ones you make yourself. I personally will spend about 3 - 4 bucks per leader due to the swivels I buy (stayloc snaps and good ball bearing swivels). In the past I have used 45 pound coated steel leader material with crimps and never had a failure, but the cross-lock snaps (berkely) failed here and there...thankfully not on a fish.
Steve
I used fluorocarbon this year for the first time. I found my strike ratio to be up (around 30 or so hits) but lost 15 fish either due to a poor strike, or I just did not get hooks into them. I was using 130 pound fluoro. Durability was great, never had a failure of any kind, but what bothers me is the hook-up ratio. I just could not put hooks into fish. So...I am unsure if the fluoro was the problem. I think it was more me than anything. I will be fishing with a steel leader for every other fish this coming season to see how hooking ratio changes.
I would tend to agree with others here that the only leaders you can trust are the ones you make yourself. I personally will spend about 3 - 4 bucks per leader due to the swivels I buy (stayloc snaps and good ball bearing swivels). In the past I have used 45 pound coated steel leader material with crimps and never had a failure, but the cross-lock snaps (berkely) failed here and there...thankfully not on a fish.
Steve
I just bought some flouro leaders from Capt. Larry Jones and I have to tell you they look awesom, beaautifully tied and great snaps and swivels
I cannot wait to try them out
Thanx again Capt. Larry
anonymous
11-29-2003, 09:09 PM
Take a look at leadertec.com I made some of my own before Canada trip this past Sept and was pleased. Used a very flexible multi-stranded s.s. product with a dual sleeve. Great stuff, a better shipping price too.
craig stapon
12-06-2003, 09:44 PM
my leaders are some of the best on the market 12 inch is 8.5o us 18 inch is 11.00. if you want some email me at stapon1@mts,net.................they can be viewed at my web sie www,geocities.com/muskiecraig/home.html tight lines craig
jyoung
12-08-2003, 09:31 AM
I use steel for casting and florocarbon for trolling, Next year I'm going to try out the floro for casting and see if it helps.
Good hunting,Jeff<*)))))><
www.mi22.com
craig stapon
12-10-2003, 07:20 PM
the leader sells for 3.25 and has taken a beating email me and i will send you one of the best there is developed by a muskie maniac......craig