Leader line for steelies?

FishFearMe · 01-11-2004, 05:38 PM

I use Maxima Chamaleon leader line for steelhead. Will this line spook the fish or would it work? I usually use 12lb. If this doesn't work what is best to use? I hear a lot about tuff line is that just popular because its a braided line?

guitgary · 01-11-2004, 05:43 PM

Your Maxima is good leader material. Tough against abrasion. I usually use either chameleon (sp) or ultra green in 8# most of the time. Gin-clear water dictates the UG for me...sometimes down to 6#.

Akuracy503 · 01-11-2004, 05:50 PM

I personally use 8lb Maxima ultragreen for all steelhead seasons, maybe even 6lb ultragreen for summer.

I always feel if you can get every advantage toward being stealthy and still land fish comfortably then why not...

Mono is the original and my choice..

KingFisher85 · 01-11-2004, 06:03 PM

If I where you I would put 10-12# Maxima UG on my main line and use 8# UG or Chamaleon for leader.

I like the Chamaleon over UG for leader line.

[ 01-11-2004, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: KingFisher85 ]

FishFearMe · 01-11-2004, 06:06 PM

So I am using the right leader just need to switch to a lighter line. Thanks for the info.

Crazy Fisherman · 01-11-2004, 06:21 PM

You can use that 12# In most winter time water and even into early summer. Those fish aren`t going to pay any attention to that line until they have been messed with awile in clear water. I use 12# UG all the time and fish with a friend that use`s 10# and 8# and it makes no difference. We both catch fish. Just my cents. :smile:

Flatfish · 01-11-2004, 08:54 PM

"I don't think steelhead know what line and leaders are"

Buzz Ramsey.

Maxima UG leaders.

Mark and the dog.

foxer · 01-11-2004, 10:46 PM

I like Maxima Perfexion for mainline..Very supple, cast's great

skrimmy · 01-12-2004, 08:03 AM

Maxima UG 10#

Boat Monkey · 01-12-2004, 12:29 PM

Just went to a seminar at G.I. Joes on drift fishing, bobbers and plugs. The guide swore up and down by the new florocarbon (sp?) leaders. They are supposed to litteraly be invisible in water but a little more brittle. Take it at face value though as I have yet to use it.

rola76 · 01-12-2004, 12:30 PM

Maxima 8# is standard for me, and then sometimes up to 10 or 12# depending on conditions...either way Maxima is the only way to go!!

skrimmy · 01-12-2004, 12:36 PM

Boat Monkey, most guides say too that steelies are not really leader shy, and I trust maxima over flourocarbon any day. I've used both. You have to be too careful tying knots with flourocarbon and I don't believe the knots hold up as well.

Most folks prefer the lighter line for a better, natural drift than due to visibility.

Day Late · 01-12-2004, 01:43 PM

Stick with Maxima. Tried the 12# flourocarbon leader for the first time this morning. Wet the line thoroughly before tying my standard improved clinch knot on the swivel end which has never let me down in the past. Hooked a nice fish 10 minutes into the morning, played nicely for about 5 minutes and then "SNAP" right at the swivel.

Retying all my hooks with Maxima.

Day Late

Akuracy503 · 01-12-2004, 01:57 PM

What is the point of producing and selling these lower quality cheap-er flourocarbon lines?...sounds like they are just junk...

Then there is the debate of "fish dont know what line is"

Does anyone have a true scientific answer to the affect of fish sight on leader line?

I personally believe in stealthy light gear tactics...not necessarily for fish sight either.

its probably been debated once a month on this board..but i figure i'd open it back up since this topic is up..

Jimmy Carl Black · 01-12-2004, 02:08 PM

Score antoher one against fluorocarbon. I hate it. It is stiff and doesn't drift right and maxima works fine.

SciGuy · 01-12-2004, 02:09 PM

I've been using Maxima UG and Cham as leader line forever and have no complaints. I switched to Berkely "Vanish" (a flurocarbon) upon a friends suggestion and I think it works just as well as Maxima (Better? I don't know). It is very important to wet your knots before tightening with f-carbon (as it is with regular mono) but as long as you do it you shouldn't have a problem. When tying egg loops a lot of people just wet the loop they are left with after tying the knot. Thats not good enough. You also have to get the wraps around the hook wet.

Fishalot · 01-12-2004, 02:57 PM

I have been using 10# Big Game in the green and have yet to have a fish brake off, fishing a ten foot rod rated 6 to 12.

Fishalot

4 REEL · 01-12-2004, 03:03 PM

Anouther vote for Maxima Ultra-Green. I use 12# main and 10# leader in winter and early summer. Change to #10 and 8# in gin clear later in summer. That also forces me to change the line twice a year, which always seems like a good idea with mono anyway.

DanS · 01-12-2004, 03:15 PM

Berkley named their line "Vanish" because that's what fish tend to do when you hook them using it.

If you want to use flourocarbon leaders, spare yourself some grief and buy Seaguar flouro.

10 lb line · 01-12-2004, 03:22 PM

Lost 5 silvers this fall using flurocarbon, broke at knot on swivels, middle of leader, and by the hook, sent it back to supplier and replaced it with max ultra green, end of problem.
Thats my experience with it.
Slow learner!

Wreckless · 01-12-2004, 03:41 PM

Another strike against the flurocarbons...ALL OF THEM UNDER 100# (it's OK for Tuna), I could list the MANY fish I've broken off, at the knot in the middle of the leader.......Talk about a slow learner [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] :blush: .

I don't think steelhead in "water with color" are leader shy at all. I landed a 8# hen on the Wilson on a bobber and jig with 17# Techtan leader. She ate just fine

. I love light tackle..in fact, that's one of my NewYears Resolutions is to lighten up my tackle, but I still like to land 'em and release 'em while they still have some life. 10-12# Maxima is "light" to me and will land almost anything!

But then again, I've been known to fish for those Green, Blugill looking fish that ya see on TV!!

FishFearMe · 01-12-2004, 04:56 PM

Anyone know why there was about 5 post deleted off of here? Just curious I didn't see anything bad about them.

Fish Hawg · 01-12-2004, 05:02 PM

Who knows, some times I think they jump the gun

float2ber · 01-12-2004, 06:02 PM

Another no vote for fluorocarbon for steelies. Breaks at the knots, swivels, and everywhere else. Maxima UG or ProLine Cxx is what I use.

blacktail · 01-12-2004, 06:33 PM

I'm wondering if all of you guys that dislike flourocarbon have tried a high quality product like Seaguar? There are many kinds of flourocarbon and some of it is junk, but not all.

I typically use UG 10 lb. if the water is high, but use 8 lb. most of the time with 6 lb. getting some use when it's really low and clear.

However, Seaguar in 8 lb. works great under a float.

Mike

Mike

float2ber · 01-12-2004, 06:44 PM

OK, I will try Seaguar. My opinion is based on Vanish, which seems to be junk. I do use Climax fluorcarbon tippet for fly fishing and I have to admit it does increase the hookups. I'll get back to you, hopefully as a Seaguar convert.

skrimmy · 01-12-2004, 06:56 PM

Blacktail,

Yep, tried the Seaguar and agree it's the best. But, it's still a waste of money. You DON'T need flourocarbon to catch steelies. Ask ANY of the guru steelheaders here, like Flatfish, David Johnson. Heck, go back and read Flatfish's response about what Buzz Ramsey said about leader.

Even if you "did" hook a few more fish with it, you'll lose far more of them to broken knots and line. And I'm not refering to Berkley Vanish, that stuff is just plain garbage. I'll trust Maxima knots far more than any of the flourocarbon lines.

blacktail · 01-12-2004, 07:07 PM

skrimmy,

I'll agree with you that you don't NEED flourocarbon to catch steelhead. I don't recall stating anything close to that in my post. If you read my post, I stated that I use UG most of the time.

I haven't used Seaguar a whole bunch, but have not had any issues with knot strength. I am not completely sold on it's abrasion resistance therefore I only use it under a float where it won't be scraping the bottom as when drift fishing.

I still believe that steelhead in low, clear water can at times be line shy and if flourocarbon gives me a little more confidence in those scenarios then it's worth it to me.

Mike

skrimmy · 01-12-2004, 07:19 PM

BT -

Oops, only that first sentence was for you, in response to your question. The rest was for others who think flouro help them in any conditions. I think though that the lighter line in low clear water produces more of a natural drift than the heavier leader, and helps for that reason, more than line visibility. Either way, lighter line in those conditions is a good idea, and who cares why, it just seems to work!

I tried the route of using flourocarbon. It broke way too easily, and not just the knots.

blacktail · 01-12-2004, 07:28 PM

skrimmy,

No problem. I think you're right about a large part of the reasoning for using lighter lines is for a more natural drift.

Watch now, I'll probably get broke off on a hog using the Seaguar and a jig.

Mike

glassblower · 01-12-2004, 07:38 PM

I use Trilean XL 17# for leader and main, get plenty of hookups and the fish dont break off. Fish have next to no brain (cut one open and look) and certainly do not know what fishing line is or have the mental capacity to remember it three seconds after they see it. Fish swimm and eat, and do the yearly trip up river solely by instinct (not because they are inteligent). Just my .02