A fluorocarbon question

[mws]

I was wondering if anyone new what the main difference was from a fluorocarbon leader and regular fluorocarbon line? I am looking into what possible leader lines I could try this year and the leader stuff sounds good. any advise would be great. (Fishing Walleyes)

[Phil T.]

This is a time to put your toe into the waters instead of jumping in with both feet. The "line" flourocarbon don't have the abrasion resistance of the leader material. The leader material is quite difficult to tie until you have some practice. So, buy a little of each and decide for yourself which you prefer. Personally, I don't see the purpose of the softer alloys, and I have (in my opinion) wasted a bit of money on them. I have also cursed the pure flourocarbon leader materials.

[REW]

I have tried several different florocarbon lines; both leadear "style" and "line style.

A couple of conclusions:
1. The leader style is stiffer than the line style.
2. The leader style is more abrasion resistan than the line style.
3. Either style is very difficult to use as line material on a spinning reel.
4. The line style actually increases casting distance on bait casters (due to its stiffness).
5. Because of the stiffness, and the friction during line tying - there have been many many many many break offs due to knot failures. Many folks imerse their lines in water duing knot tightning, or add mineral oil on a q-tip during knot tightning to avoid this weakness in the knot.

6. Summary -- I think that the average person would be better off by saving their money and simply stay with a "good" grade of mono. The visabality "claims" -- i.e. less visable to walleyes are of marginal improvement, and the handling qualites have caused many many many folks to use very nice fish.

You choose.

Enjoy.

REW

[FreeByrd]

mws,
My understanding is the main difference is that the Leader material usually sold in 25 yard spools is 100% pure florocarbon while the line such as Vanish is not 100% florocarbon. You want the leader material. P-Line and Seaguar are two good ones. I think both are available through Cabellas saltwater catalog. You will need to make sure you moisten your knots, but overall should be happy with pure florocarbon leader material.
Good Luck
Steve

[ufda]

In addtion to the other answers: line visibility is of relatively less importance when you are casting or trolling plugs or jigs; when making and trolling spinner rigs; in current; at night; in off-color water (and a few other instances). So, that brings it down to fishing live bait and trolling lindy rigs. Then, if your line drags on bottom, the abrasion resistance is a concern. So, when live bait fishing, without additional hardware or under a float, I use flourocarbon leaders. Hope this makes sense, but let's see what the other guys have to say.

"Big fish and smooth drags!"
ufda