Maxima Leader Poll

Wog · 05-26-2001, 02:55 PM

What is your prefered type of Maxima Leader Material: Chameleon, Ultragreen, or Clear?

For Salmon and Winter steelhead I like Ultragreen. Although I had a Springer two weeks ago chew through this leader Material like it was thread, I'm sticking with it.

For Summersteelhead I like Chameleon. When tying leaders 4lb. and under, this material has great strength.

A Friend of mine really likes the Clear Material, I haven't had a chance to test it out yet.

What's Your Favorite Maxima Leader Material?

Stz ll · 05-26-2001, 04:42 PM

I have used all of the different type of leader made by Maxima. I find I have better luck and seem to catch more fish when I use the Maxima clear leader material. This may just be because I use it more and have more confidence with it.

FishinMission · 05-26-2001, 05:20 PM

I use "Ultragreen". Haven't tried the clear...probably won't....since the Ultragreen works great for me.

SteelieSteve · 05-26-2001, 06:43 PM

Maxima Chameleon is my first choice because it is the toughest. I like ultragreen but it breaks much easier than chameleon at the same pound test rating. Max is my choice for leaders and mainline always.

Hookset · 05-26-2001, 06:44 PM

First I start with Ultragreen and when I get tired of the ultra, I switch to "Ultragreen". After this fails to work, I switch back to ultragreen until the cows come home. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I used to use nothing but chameleon and after trying ultragreen I've never looked back. Actualy, over the past 2 years I've been playing with some quality fluorcarbon made by P-line. I'm not happy with the performance. Kinks to easy, to much memory and seams to get brittle. Also when cinching down knots, you have to really wet the line or risk nicks and rough spots. I'm going back to mono (ultragreen) unless someone convinces me otherwise.

hook

First Bite · 05-26-2001, 09:22 PM

Ultragreen all the way for me.
Mark

www.firstcastjigs.com

Jim · 05-26-2001, 09:34 PM

Simple...Ultragreen...

Jim

David Johnson · 05-26-2001, 10:43 PM

Ultragreen for me too, although I only use Maxima leader when using 15# or less (spacificly for steelhead). If I'm using larger pound test I always use Berkly Big Game.

willierower · 05-26-2001, 11:42 PM

Ultragreen, Why use anything else?

SteelieSteve · 05-27-2001, 04:48 AM

OK you all like ultragreen, I like the color but do y'all think it has the same breaking strength of chameleon? I find it pops easier making you use heavier # test. Opinions please? I mostly fish for steelhead except lately nookies and use #20 chameleon cuz it's the toughest.

Firedog · 05-27-2001, 05:47 AM

I use chameleon for everything, from 4#-15# for steelhead to 15#-40# for chinook depending on where I am fishing and when. I have found it to be the toughest. Never had a problem with it.

[ 05-27-2001: Message edited by: firedog ]

HOGTIDE · 05-27-2001, 06:00 AM

Is Ultra-Green just the same stuff as Chameleon, in a different flavor ? The break-strength question is a good one???

RichH · 05-27-2001, 06:20 AM

Ultragreen mainline, Ultragreen leader. I've never had a problem with it so why change?

SandyRiverFisher · 05-27-2001, 07:09 AM

Just this spring I spooled up with Ultragreen instead of chameleon and I agree with steve that it isnt as strong. Granted, I have caught about eighteen steelhead on my fifteen pound ultragreen without changing line, but that is what I typically used to do with chameleon too. I am a chronic procrastinator when it comes to changing line. Anyway, Im now down to about 75yards out of an original 150 on my reel. The stuff just doesn't seem to have the abrasion resistance that chameleon has and I am constantly having to remove several feet at the end to get all the nicks out of the line. This is especially noteworthy since the Sandy where I fish is unbelievably silted in this year, and there rally arent all that many hang ups or exposed rocks to tear your line up like there usually would be.

David Johnson is right about larger pound test lines, go with Berkely all the way. Besides that Maxima is the best out there, hands down. You have to figure that the crappiest maxima is still ten times better than Stren.

Sand Shrimp · 05-27-2001, 07:58 AM

Ultragreen for me also.I believe the chameleon is a little stronger but I've never had a problem with ultragreen.I have had problems with getting a couple of bad spools of their mainline though.

dawhunt · 05-27-2001, 08:55 AM

I have used the ultragreen for the last 10 yrs or so for steelhead and salmon and haven't yet had a proplem with it breaking.I use to use the chamelon for the longest Time untill a fishing trip to Nootka sound in B.C.,I couldn't catch a fish everyone else was.I talked to one of the guides up there he asked what I was useing for leader, told him I was useing the browm Maxima for leader he said get it off use green,I did and immediatly my wife and I caught fish.I mean right away so I've been useing it ever since.
I used the ivory maxima last year kind of a gold color,I don't know if that was the proplem or not but I didn't catch that many fish last year compared to the years before ?
could have been a bad run last year don't really know.This is long enough so good luck.
Bob [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ 05-27-2001: Message edited by: dawhunt ]

David Johnson · 05-27-2001, 09:53 AM

I agree with how tough chamelean is, it's just too stiff for my liking. I also agree with dawhunt, any color leader that is green has the least vis. i've seen this while snorkeling in our rivers.

I use to use all Maxima but about ten years ago I swtched to mostly Big Game because it's a lot softer, hundreds of salmon/steelhead later I can't complain.

Hookset · 05-27-2001, 10:26 AM

Hmmmm, lets see, Big Game is less expensive, about the same diameter and softer. Several people have recommended I try big game when needing heavy line for big fish.

However, I like a soft supple thin diameter line for mainline. Since I fish with ABU 6501's (I like light tackle) that have limited spool capacity and like to use 30lb. mainline for salmon and sturgeon. I started using P-line CX premium, which for 30lb line is probably the smallest diameter (.19) you can find with mono. For leaders, nothing but heavy, large diameter abrasion resistent line. Sounds like big game and maxima ultragreen will both work.

What pound test are you using for Chinook? Coho? I use both 30 and 40 lb leaders. When strictly fishing fall chinook, 40 lb. and fishing combination coho and fall chinook I use 30 and sometimes 40 lb. There are times I just like heavier leaders. It's a confidence thing. When tying double mooching rigs with a solid tie, I double the leader between the hooks. I hate to have a large chinook break off from weak leader material.

hook

Fish Hunter · 05-27-2001, 04:59 PM

Have been happy with chameleon for salmon. Had to try Excaliber which is "10 times more abrasion resistant than mono." [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]
This spring 4 lost springers told me different.