Florocarbon Line - Knots.

[REW]

I, like many of my friends have given up on florocarbon lines because of knot breakage.

Is anyone still using the florocarbon lines, and if so, what do you do about breaking knots.

I have tried all of the usual things, oil on line, tightning under water etc. but I still have a very weak spot at the knot.

Several lost nice fish is enough for me. Unless there is a "good" solution, I won't be going back.

Take care

REW

[RANGER]

REW,

I gave up on it. That is the most misbehaved line I have ever used! I went back to Stren's "Magnathin" for my harnesses in both the clear and the Walleye green.


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD!"

[FreeByrd]

REW,
I use florocarbon leaders for my trolling on Erie. I use either P-Line or Seaguar which are both 100% florocarbon. These are the small "leader" spools - not the stuff sold as florocarbon line for filling a reel. Most of this stuff - Vanish and the like - are not pure florocarbon and could be the source of your problems. You do need to wet down the line -saliva works fine- before you tighten the knots down. I've used both the Palomar and Clinch knots. Sure you know what they are but Denied has a good knot link on his website. http://www.cliftond.com/Knot.htm
I use a minimum of 15# test and often 20 or 25#.
Good Luck,
Steve

[David V]

I started using Vanish as a leader line for steelhead fishing last year. I would tie the palmar knot to attach the hook. I lost several fish upon hook set. It was like the sudden shock would break the line. I was ready to give up on it after 3 break offs, but another guy in the boat was using the same leader and had landed two fish with no problems. I asked him what knot he was tying and he said you have to tie the trilene knot only. Afer I switched I have never had a problem. Hope this helps.

[AquaMan]

Yeah, REW. My Floro Vanish sits on my work bench and has become a good substitute for tieing odd and ands together in the garage. Lost several nice fish last year on Mille Lacs and Leech that snapped at the knots. I had 28 harnesses that I dis-assembled after that.

Nothing beats Trilene XT.

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

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

Eric@crowncomputerinc.com

[Capt. Denny Bergeman]

Rew,

I use Vanish for all my trolling leaders, and for the weapons I make. I use the trilene knot and have not had one problem. Good Fishing.

[M.R.Fish]

Good knots are a must no matter what line, the line is only as good as the knot. Vanish is 100% fluorocarbon, says so on the package. If you have problems with Vanish call Berkley direct they'll be happy to help you. Action not comments, put fish in the boat. I have been using Vanish for the past year and compairing it to xt & xl. It produces more fish in the boat for long lining cranks, for me hands down, with better line wear. The KNOT, Trilene Knot, I wet it with slava before cinching, this seems to foil the weak knot problem. Any fluorocarbon will cut itself with out lubricating the knot, regardless of brand. Of course there is the easy way Do NOT TRY OR USE THIS PRESENTATION, I am just happy to put those extra fish on the end of my line rather than yours.

the're always bitin' ;-)

[Dave]

I have been using a product called "triple fish" fluorocarbon made in germany. I buy it at my local "fishing hole" store here in Sask. Can. I have given it a # of hard test's, a week of jigging lakers off the bottom in 85 ft. You must set the hook HARD a # of time's, and as a 3ft. leader, to a swivel, (fire line for main line) it has been VERY good. 12lb. test.

[Gilligan]

I started using the flourocarbon while working as an Orvis flyfishing guide. I was very pleased with it's strength and results but would only use it when the bite was tough as it was so expensive. That is what led me to try it for walleye. I am convinced that I had many more hookups because of it but like yourself became frustrated with the breakoffs. My knots were always tied wet. As for the triline knot others are suggesting isnt that pretty much a knot for crankbaits?? Dont think that is going to work for tying crawler harnesses??

I have heard much good said however on the Seaguar FC. ETT plugs it pretty good and just on that recomendation I may give it a try. As for the Vanish and the Cabelas brand, they made it from the most useless thing in my tackle box to taking up space in the garbage can.

[GeneM]

Always wondered why I never experienced the problems with line and knot failures that I read about here. I always tie on 2-3 feet of florocarbon 6 lb test as a leader and have never lost a
fish due to line or knot failure. Don't claim to catch a lot of big fish but have boated walleye up to 8 lbs. I guess the reason
for my success is that I only use the Trilene knot and I would never use the stuff on crawler harnesses due to its poor abrasion
resistance.

[Keef]

Stren fluoro works pretty good for me. A uni knot, twice thru the eye, has not failed so far.

[PW]

I have used Vanish since it first came out for crank baits, crawler harnesses and jigging. I use Trilene knot and have not had any problems with knots breaking.

[Bob]

Try a palomar knot. I have had ZERO trouble with this knot using flourocarbon line!!

[REW]

I gave vanish a very good try, but gave up on it because of the frequent and multiple snarls from this very very still line.
REW

[REW]

With many different brands of florocarbon, the only knot that I used was a palamor, and even wetted wet and or oiled - I had break offs with every brand of florocarbon line.

I still guive up.

REW

[John in MN]

I started using DuPont's florocarbon line last year for live bait rigging. I tied the Trilene knot. I've caught many walleyes up to 27 inches and smallmouth up to 20 inches and have had one line break. I think it was my fault for not retying after catching several fish. I don't thing the knot broke. I'm very happy with its performance.

[byron]

Knots I use are uni-to-uni and the trilene knot. Used to use vanish, but my knot would vanish if it was not perfectly tied or wetted. Even then it would sometimes break.

P-line flourocarbon works great. It holds knots, is strong and abrasion resistant. Another line I have been trying is seaguar grand max. Super thin diameter, holds knots great but is not as abrasion resistant as the P-line and costs twice as much as the p-line. If i am in structure, p-line is on. Open water, grand max is on.

[slick2526]

Not saying im the best fisherman in the world or anything but I do not know what you guys are doin wrong. I use 10lb powerpro and 8lb seaguar carbonpro. uni to uni knot to connect the seaguar and powerpro. palamor knot for the jig. At first when I used it I used the trilene knot and I lost a big walleye :( then I started using the palamor knot. havent lost a fis since. Ive caught a 7lb and a 3lb northern with it. Also a 3lb bass

[Gilligan]

The point is we.. or at least I and I would bet my last $ that REW also ties knots right... I've fished for near 50 years and guided for a good many of those at an Orvis endorsed lodge. I've landed 10# trout on the Orvis brand flourocarbon(Mirage 4# test .006 diameter)I contend that much of the FC on the market is junk. Why assume that myself or others do it wrong??? If you read my post I said that I had many breakoffs with both Vanish and the Cabelas brand but I was considering trying the Seaguar.

[Eyez]

That's why I quit using it as a main line, the stuff was like picture hanging wire anytime the temp got below 60. I also had a lot of problems with breakage in general, not just at the knots. On top of that, after quite a few days of fishing head to head in the summer of 98 while my wife used it, and I used mono for rigs, I couldn't see any particular advantage to using it in any of the waters I fish in SD, and also on Winnie.

Eyez

[JustLookN]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-05-01 AT 06:38PM (CST)[p]I had problems with the Vanish when i tried it, never the Seaguar, i use the palomar knots, have been using the Seaguar long time and pulling 10lb fish trolling 300 feet with it tied to braided line. also use it for salmon fishing on dipseys. Try the Seaguar if you havent...Bob

[Stormsearch]

I learned my lesson quickly on cheaper flouro's - had many break-offs (I think I had 4 in one day 3 years ago). I switched to mono that year but two years ago was convinced to try Seagar. I haved used it strictly as a leader for Erie and Saginaw Bay 'eyes along with 14/6 Fireline. In two years of fishing, never broke a line, 12lb.

I do have to admit though I thoroughly test the strength of the knot before fishing with it and have experienced several breaks at the knot. I pretty much found myself tying them too fast, since I usually have 12 rods to change over. I realized, along with good lubrication, cinching down the knot slowly and obviously correctly were all key.

I only use the uni-uni knot between Fireline and Seagar and a Palomer at the cross-lok snap. Good luck.

[Gumbo]

REW, I still use Vanish as leader material in clear water when the bite is tough. I caught a 21-pound rainbow trout on 14 lb Vanish, and the battle lasted a couple hours.

I cinch the knots with the knots held inside my mouth full of saliva. And I don't cinch them really tight--just tight enough that they won't come undone. I leave as much tag end as I think is needed.

I've never had Vanish fail me yet, though next time around I think I'll try Seagar.

Good fishing.

[jess]

bottom line... FC sucks !
I used a 15 lb. P-line on about a dozen harneses. (the expencive stuff ) . about 1/2 of my harneses have broken over the past few weeks. I uses snell knots. Not all the brakes were on the snells. about half were up the leader.

[fisherman]

Use 4 lb. Seagaur line for leader when ice fishing. Used uniknot to tie it to fireline. Had a monster grass carp up to the hole last winter-he had to be as long as a yardstick- looked like a tarpon when he swam by the holes. Took almost thirty minutes to get him up and look at him and the line and knots both held.