Your Favorite Steelhead Leader Material

[FishSniffer]

Tried out my new First Cast Jigs last evening on a nice drift. And within 20 drifts lost my first jig too. Guess I have questions. Does mono get old? I ran across a box of 10# Fenwick River Line and snipped off and made a leader. It's probably 20 or more years old but had been stored indoors. I tested my knots and the leader. It was good.

When I retrieved the line, after the jig snagged, the last half inch showed wear I've only seen once before (with this same material). About an inch or two up from where the jig was looked like someone had sliced it up with a knife. This destruction of the leader is a half inch long.

My Questions:
Has anyone seen this before?
If yes, do you recall what the conditions were?
Does old mono break down like this?
What brand and type of leader material works best for you?

[LCFisherlady]

I have seen this type of problem...what problably happened is you line was damaged by rocks or other garbage when you hung it up. As far as the old line I would definately replace it with new line.
Leaders can be made with any of the good lines, I have been using Seaguar(fluorocarbon line), I am not sure whether I really like it as it seems fairly easily abraided. Whatever you use make sure it is limp, not easily abraided and as small a diameter as you feel comfortable with. The cost of good line is well worth it if it keeps the fish on!
Good luck.
Judy

[blackdog]

Mono definitely deteriorates with time. In my experience, it will get brittle at time and just break where there appears to be no unusual wear. I'm not exactly sure what the influences are, but exposure to light is one of them.

My favorite steelhead leader is Maxima Ultragreen in mono. More and more though, I have been using Seagar florocarbon. Kinda spendy, but seems to work well.

[Tanner]

Maxima Ultragreen is the only line I use for leader. I think flourocarbon is a big waste of money. Ask the gudes what they use. Steelhead and chinook are usually not too leader shy. I have gone to 15 lb ultra green on my bait divers and catch just as many fish as I did with 10 (I just loose alot less)
It is hard to beat Maxima for strength and durability.

[Thumper]

What Tanner says.

[River Ranger]

well said tanner.

[STRIKE ZONE]

Ultra Green.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

[FishSniffer]

I've been doing lots of looking around on this and a review I read about Ultragreen says it's really good for ultra-lite but the heavier lines don't live up to the expectation?

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewmaximaultrag.shtm

What about copolymers and flourocarbons? Remember, this is just for leader material. I use Ultargreen as my main line.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

I too vote for Ultra Green. Perflexion is also winning my confidence! :grin:

[greenbuttskunk]

ultra green

[o-mykiss]

ultragreen, I didn't learn this the easy way.

[Tanner]

In most cases I use ultra green for mainline and in all cases for leader. I have had no problems with it and catchy lots o' fishies on it.

I do not use it on spinning reels as it has too much memory and bird nests too easily but other than that it is Maxima all the way.

[ 11-18-2003, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: Tanner ]

[foxer]

I just spooled up my reel wiht Perfexion..Very supple/soft line..I like it

[Wog]

Go with Ultra Green.

[David Johnson]

First two mistakes-Fenwick River Line and the other "20 or more years old".

Maxima Ultra Green for steelhead leaders and keep all mono line fresh and new.

The only thing between you and your fish is your line and hooks, use high quality gear.

[Fishin Magician]

well said dave and others.........UG for me.

Hey Dave....we need to hook up soon for a trip.....eh.

John

[ 11-18-2003, 06:47 PM: Message edited by: Fishin Magician ]

[FishSniffer]

First two mistakes-Fenwick River Line and the other "20 or more years old".

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">OK, so how old is "too old" for mono? I change the mono on my spools about every 6 months but because of use and wear. Who would think that new mono, still in the box, though old is no longer good?

I think we need to preasure line makers to put a stamp on the box/spool like the dairy folks "Good until....."

Now, tell me why Fenwick River Line was a mistake? It worked fine for kings in the Sacramento River.

Thanks

[steelhooked]

hard to beat maxima ultra green. but if it is too expensive and looking for bargain you might try ande. it's ok.

[FishSniffer]

Tanner,

What do you use for Spinning Reels. I'm setting up for jig & bobber fishing and that's what I'm using.

[steelhead22]

Berkley Vanish is hands down the best line out there.

Just kiddin', I only use Maxima Ultragreen. I do however believe that steelhead are WAY more line shy that chinook. Sometimes I'll go as light as 6lb. test in low, clear conditions and it has an obvious effect on my hook ups.

[FishSniffer]

Funny you mention Vanish. Had a friend that swore by that stuff for a few weeks. Then he went back to waht he was using.

So I'm getting the idea that EVERYONE, like myself, likes Maxima Ultragreen for leaders. Some for mainline too. I haven't noticed much memory with it myself (it's my mainline). For me it's not about price. I want to _try_ what's considered the best by others in the know before I choose my favorite and that's a very big benefit of this board.

I'm going to try some Maxima Perfexion, Chameleon and some Ande Tournament and see which I like the best.

Thanks for all the opinions. Ask me in a few months which I prefer though by that time there'll be something new out.

Tight Lines!

Greg

[Tanner]

FishSniffer,
I like Trilene XL if I am Fishing over 10lb line Trilene XT if I am fishing under 10lb. My favorite used to be Bagley's Silver Thread but I think they quit making it cause I can not find it anywhere.

[Salmon Stryker]

Another vote for ultra green.

[foxer]

I didnt like ultragreen on my spinning reel. I use the Chameleon on my casting reel

[Tanner]

Hey Parker,
If "The Steelhead King" says to give it a try then I just might have to. :grin:
Thanks

[outdoor.spec.ops]

I do not use a leader, but tie directly to my main line, 12 or 15lb Maxima Crystal Ivory.

[Grantspastor]

Notice how many times Maxima Ultragreen is listed? There's a good reason so many of us like it. I've never found anything better

[FishSniffer]

My favorite used to be Bagley's Silver Thread but I think they quit making it cause I can not find it anywhere

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Tanner,

You familiar with Google? I just love it!

Bagley's sold out to PRADCO. Pradco owns Lurenet.com and it looks like you can buy it from them, eAngler or Cabelas. Price isn't too bad either. Maybe you could send me a few yards of #10 so I can try it as leader material!

http://www.lurenet.com/NR/exeres/838...,frameless.htm

http://www.lurenet.com/catalog.aspx?catID=SilverThread

http://www.lurenet.com/silver-thread-sitemap.htm

[Jennie@ifish]

Whatever 'leaders' them right to my boat.

[spinnermaker]

Maxima Ultragreen all the way.

[parker]

Originally posted by Tanner:
In most cases I use ultra green for mainline and in all cases for leader. I have had no problems with it and catchy lots o' fishies on it.

I do not use it on spinning reels as it has too much memory and bird nests too easily but other than that it is Maxima all the way.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">What Tanner said. UG for main and leader. I usually do 10 for winter fishing and 8 for summers. 12 for nooks in the fall.

12 main on my baitcasters.

I personally like the Stren Extra Strength for my spinning gear. This is coming from the guy who, in the past, wouldn't have been caught dead using any Stren product. I use the 10 pound stuff (rated for 17) for my summer gear, and for fall coho. Worked great, held up strong, and was easy to cast with. Give it a try, Tanner. It's good stuff.

[ 11-21-2003, 01:03 PM: Message edited by: parker ]

[ssteelheadsteve]

Flourocarbon
That spelling can't be right.
No time to check ...off to the river
Fresh batteries for the headset....I believe the Cafateria @ the U of O will be serving creamed duck on astroturff Monday......

[Silver Hilton]

Yeah, that Ultragreen just stinks, doesn't it.

I use 8 to 12 lb ultragreen. I did some extensive knot testing last year, and found that Ultragreen (and all maxima) in heavy diameters would not take a strong knot. 30 and 40 lb ultragreen would not develop a knot with greater strength than about 26 to 28 lbs. This was compared to 20 lb maxima, where I could get knot strength of 20 to 24 lbs!

In the heavy lines, Berkely Big game seems to be the best combo of basic line strength and ability to take a knot. I measred 40 lb Berkely knots at about 36 lbs, if I recall correctly.

In the light lines, trilene XT and Ande had/have good strength, and good knot strength, once the knot has been properly tied. In my experience, both of these lines, particularly Trilene XT, can be sort of sticky as the knot is setting up, and can give you a weak knot if it doesn set properly. They both do not set up knots as nicely as maxima, which seems to snug down more easily and reliably.

But Trilene is half the price of Maxima, and Ande is cheaper yet. So I use a lot of trilene.

I have large spools of trilene and Ande which are now over five years old that I continue to use for re-spooling. They are kept in the house, away from the sun, in constant temperature, and the line has yet to degrade.

I prefer Ultragreen for most purposes where I use mono, but I don't like the expense. For my 'Team Hilton' plug rods, where I have three or four rods of the same type, I usually use Trilene Xt (in flourescent green) to reduce cost. For my personal casting rod, I use ultragreen. For my personal spinning rod, I use Ande.

[Bonneville Dan]

Ultragreen and Trilene XL work for me. Interesting about the low break strength of the larger Maxima lines though. Never detected a problem with the 30# or 40#. That overpriced Seaguar didn't impress me. Real kinky stuff too. I retired all my Stren line into lead droppers, since it's so good at snapping (formerly at the wrong times).

[Jennie@ifish]

Seriously... Ultragreen. I've never used anything else. Is there anything else? No.

Jen

[Thumper]

When I buy line, either main line or leader spools, I mark them with a felt tip pen for the month and year. I keep them in a cool dark garage away from the breaker box. Every 2 years I toss them out and replace.

[Silver Hilton]

Originally posted by PlayinHookyNooky:
Never detected a problem with the 30# or 40#.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I had never detected a problem either, and don't think I would have, until I put the scale on it. A 26-28 lb pull is a pretty stout pull. Heck, you can pull a drift boat upstream against a pretty good current with 20 lb Maxima. Don't ask me how I know this.

[Private-Aye-Fish]

When I use leader Ultragreen is my first choice. I don't like it as a main line it seems to have more memory than others.

Recently I switched and I have been going for steelies without leader and seem to be doing as well as ever.

For my main line I use Trilene XL higher tests and it seems to have less memory. I use a Trilene for trout and kokanee as well.

Have a great evening.

[SHOUGALNITE]

I use the DNA Suffix.

[fishguy]

I experimented with P-line flouroclear. 1/2 copolymer 1/2 flourocarbon. It has great abrasion resistance and a very liberal stength to diameter ratio. Not only that but it is nearly invisible in the water, for when the rivers might be low and clear. Next to Ultragreen, it is my go to leader material.
Fishguy

Maxima "clear." :smile:

[fishhog4u]

ULTRAGREEN !!!!!
I've used fluorcarbon in clear conditions and have lost many fish. The stuff works well, but breaks REALLY EASY

[FishSniffer]

******

Why clear?

[JohnB]

My catch rate improved significantly when I changed to P-Line flouro.

Strong, good knots, think it's pretty low vis and it works for me, just like other leader types work for you all. :smile:

Have put the 15 pound clear through some major torture below Bonneville fishing for summer run
steelhead, and a big Chinook eats it. If you fish up there, you know the current rips, especially with a big Chinook. I run 40 for Salmon and it has performed real well too.

I also build and run inline spinners. It seems to hold up better for my spinners and the clevis and beads turning all the time on the line.

Just what I've been using for a while.

Rick

[GOT2FISH]

Its funny that this was at the top of the page.I just came in from the Santiam and Ive been cussing like a long shoreman.Last night I tied about a dozen leaders thinking it would save me time,Brand new box of Maxiam Perfection 12lbs NEVER AGAIN I know maxiam has a good reputation and I think I know why they used half naked women to advetise this product. Trust me guys this is junk, the line broke knotes, broke and for once I'm glad I didnt catch a Steelie isnt that sad.

Well, like you say, either the line is junk, or something else is wrong. You are talking to Maxima folks on here that have caught cumulatively "thousands" of Salmonids on the stuff, so figure that one out quick. :depressed:

[foxer]

Just started using Perfexion as my mainline. Landed about a 12lb Chinook. Used Trielene xl 10lb leader. I love the suppleness of the perfexion on my spin reel.

[Uglygreen]

The only quality florocarbon I have tried is Seaguar (sp) brand. Might be some others, but not that I am aware of. Seaguar is not cheap, but it does have a buncha saltwater line class world records backing it up.

95% of the time I use Maxima ultragreen. Izorline was OK, and I like their spools with the line holder insert, I have saved a buncha the spools and refilled them with Maxima. Are you allowed to do that?

UG

[float2ber]

Used maxima ultragreen for years. Tested some P-line that looks just like UG. The 12# test line broke at 22#. The 12# UG broke at 16#. Neither line broke at the nail knots. I tested Vanish fluorocarbon. Broke at the knot every time below the test weight of the line. Bottom line is I'm using P-line for leaders and it has field tested without flaws on steelies and chinook.

[JNR]

Seaguar Yes

Ugly Green NO

Ugly Green has not been very dependable. Ugly Green does not follow through like Seaguar has. Ugly Green has that new car shine but slowly shows its true colors.

[Snakebite]

Whatever happened to Maxima Chameleon? I've been using it for twenty years and have yet lose a fish unless I knew it was my fault...i.e bad knots or "horsing" one in. I've used UG but Chameleon seems to be much more abrasion resistant. Power pro ahs worked well for a main line for me unless I'm casting alot...ooh what a mess that can be when a backlash happens. Ouch!

[dawhunt]

MAXIMA ULTRA GREEN !!!!
Bob

[ 12-08-2003, 09:18 PM: Message edited by: dawhunt ]

[ultralight]

Originally posted by JNR:
Ugly Green has that new car shine but slowly shows its true colors.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Yes, the UG slowly absorbs water and become dull and opaque and stay that way. But it shouldn't matter for using the UG as a leader material, as you would discard it after a day's use. I use UG because I think it best matches the water color in most cases.

[FishSniffer]

I decided to do some experimentation myself after hearing so much about the maxima on iFish. I am tieing all my leaders with it this season so I can get an idea.

Yesterday I drifted corkie and yarn with Chameleon and Perfection. Had no problem with the perfection other than being able to see it to tie it on. However, egg-loops tied with the Chameleon, for some strange reason, came untied. I tied and tested each rig at the bench.

Anyone know if the Chameleon is slicker than UG or Perfection?

Only other thing I can attribute it to is that I tie flashaboo, feathers or other attractants to my hooks and use a dab of superglue instead of head cement. Guess it's possible it was still wet and melted the line.

[Ifishsum]

Maxima UG...I won't touch the perfexion ever again, at least not under 15#, breaks way too easy. I still use chameleon on my spinning reels in 8-10lb, I think it's the most scuff resistant.

[onstep]

Maxima Ultra Green.