Fluorocarbon leader?

[Bubzilla]

Curious if anyone has experimented with fluorocarbon as leader material? If so, what brand and sizes have you had success with? How were you fishing, and what species were you after at the time?

[winkie]

I've had poor luck using 5 and 6x fluorocarbon tippits. Slippery stuff. Who's got a great knot for this great material. :whazzup:

[BCFISHON1]

can you say break off,break off,so on and so on ive tried it for winter stealhead 8lb leader as usual and is almost invisible but constent breakoffs at knot on top side of leader.I really didnt give the stuff a chance ive always used maxima 8lb leaders sometimes 6 its always caught fish and durable as heck i supose if i ran 12lb carbon leader and 10lb maxima main line it would probably come out about right, I mean the 12 would snap just before the 10. As you can tell I like my Maxima but the carbons may work for you goodluck :wink:

[Bubzilla]

Winkie,

I've been using fluorocarbon when fly fishing for about six years now with no problems whatsoever. It makes a tremendous difference at places like Davis Lake, Klamath Lake, and the Williamson, and I've had zero problems landing even the biggest trout I've hooked. I mostly use Umpqua Deceiver, but I've tried several other brands of tippet too.

As for knots, I use the same knots for fluorcarbon as for mono tippet with no problems. Even connecting fluorocarbon to mono with a Blood Knot or Triple Surgeons works for me. What's best about it for fly fishing--particularly in stillwaters--is that you can use a larger tippet without reducing your number of takes. I generally don't go smaller than 5X--even for chironomid.

Fluorcarbon has become a big part of fly fishing for trout, but my question was in regard to other uses. I know of several guides that employ it for steelhead. Most fly fish for summers, but at least one uses fluorocarbon leaders on the Siletz for winters while using conventional gear.

I've tried large fluorocarbon tippets (20 lb.) when fly fishing estuaries for Chinook and Coho with success, and just recently used it to bobber fish in low water conditions. I seemed to be able to get away with much heavier leader/tippet in both instances.

[Hottamale1]

Bubzilla......

I use Fluorcarbon Lines for drift fishing and when pulling plugs/divers, However, I go no less than 17 Pound test. The fish don't seem to mind a bit, especially if they "supposedly" can't see it.

The line is stiffer than Maxima Ultra Green, but by moistening the line when you tie a knot, you'll have no problems.

Scott

[Thumper]

I have been using "Vanish" fluorocarbon for several years with mixed results. I use one size heavier than I normally would, and it usually holds up well. Then every once in a while it breaks at the knot for no apparent reason ---- like this morning while yanking on a stick with 20 pound braided line and 16 pound Vanish. Poink! I think I'm going back to Maxima leader.

[SGTQ]

I have tried the stuff several times fishing for steelhead. I lost every fish I had on using this line. I have tried different brands all with the same results. I don't trust it and will not use it on big game fish ever again. But if you want to try this line yourself than go big. I was using 10 and 12 lbs leader.

[dummy]

bub i love my line stren floralcarbon. i run 20lb maxima main and from 8 to 17lb leader. like hot tamale said its invisible.
i will give you an example of its strength. 12lb leader landed 6 chums, and 2 silvers before giving up. this was in fast and very snagy water. i also straightened out my 2/0 a couple of times. the 17lb is stronger than my maxima 20lb.
dont use it for main its got a memory like bailing wire. and tying good knots is a must. a improved clinch is good but will slip a little leave a 1/2" tag. the tyee knot will not slip but is bulky. the egg loop works great just make sure you wet all knots before tightening them up. as for a difference in more fish i havent seen it out preform traditional mono but have faith that its will make the difference some day.good luck