Please explain the rational of fluro for leader material

[Ham]

I am about the biggest Nanofil pimp on the planet. I freaking love it and while I will admit it has some downsides overall I think it is the best thing I have ever tried on spinning and remains one of the very best things I've ever done to improve my fishing success. I fully reccomend it. I do not tie directly to my leader, but instead join a supple mono or copoly with an alberto knot.

Many though are equally happy using any one of a number of braided lines. I wish them continued success and I will continue to listen to trusted opinions about new braided lines on the market and *gasp* even straight fluro on spinning. The pro ranks have almost universally gone to braid with fluro leader material, but I never see the reasons for why they use fluro as their leader.

What I continue to long to have explained to me is the almost universal use of fluro as the leader for those that fish with braided line and leader on their spinning gear. To me, the downsides of fluro as a leader in this situation outweigh whatever advantage it might have. I am more than willing to give it another chance IF someone can make a compelling arguement.

The disadvantages to me are that 1) fluro is picky about knots. If it gets hot during the knot tying process, it is significantly weakened 2) it is a thicker line than many other choices for leader and usually stiffer as well. It may be less visible, but the subtle effects on the bait may be more noticible. 3) the combination of no stretch mainline and no stretch on leader doesn't offer any advantages and may lead to more breakoffs. I don't think the stretch in 6 foot of mono is going to affect sensitivity negatively and may offer a tiny cushion on the hookset. The rod should give some and you don't have to gorilla the hookset, but still 4) the initial expense of the fluro leader is higher and 5) i'm not convinced that most fluro lines really offer a whole lot of extra abrashion resistence.

Please enlighten me.

 

[Fish24/7]

it's just personal preference I'd say.

i couldn't come up with a specific answer after reading 3 articles about fluoro leaders and braid

 i don't ever use leaders for bass fishing,the only braid I throw is on my flipping/pitchin reels

[fishinwrench]

Abrasion resistance is the only true benefit I can fathom.    When using jigs along the rocky bottom, or throwing around cover (especially cables and such) flouro just can't be beat.  

I don't see the need for braid myself and have no use for it.  If you're going to use a flouro leader then just spool the reel with flouro.   

[Old plug]

Knowing a fish has a high sence of vibrations I am certain they are aware of something attected to whatever lure your using. I use 10 lb braid for my crappie fishing. 

 i

[hoglaw]

Straight floro isn't a good spinning reel option for everyone.  A lot of my spinning rods now are custom builds with micro guides, and floro doesn't seem to agree with them very well.

I use the same nanofil/leader setup, though I used to tie a floro leader.  Lately I've been using the "Floroclear" that I think CX makes.  It's a fluorocarbon coated line, maybe a copolymer?

From what I've heard/read, fluorocarbon is supposed to be less visible to fish.  I don't think the stretch/lack of stretch makes any difference on a six foot leader, so that's out.  I suppose it's a little more expensive.  It sinks which I like, particularly when my main line floats.  But I'm not sure that even makes a difference.  The abrasion resistance and I guess visibility are the only things I can really think of, and those may be negligible advantages. 

I don't see any problems with the knot I tie.  I just tie a simple clinch knot, wet it, and draw it down correctly.  I don't use an improved clinch.  Normally I'd use a palomar knot, but it takes up too much leader material.  I seem to break off about 50/50 at the lure or the leader connection I think (uni to uni knot).

You may be on to something with the affect on the action of a lure, particularly a light jig, with the stiffer floro line.  That Floroclear stuff seems pretty supple to me.  With a heavier lure (like a 1/16oz jig head and a small plastic bait for instance), I don't think it makes a difference.  

I can personally attest to my own experience with fishing with and without a leader.  I was on a bunch of fish down behind the house one day and broke off at my leader knot. I forgot my spool, so I just tied on directly to the nano main line.  I only got one or two bites when I was getting bit regularly.  Now maybe I had already hooked all the fish in that spot, but I moved up and down and felt like I was getting a lot fewer bites than I should have been.  For clear creek smallmouth, I definitely think the leader is a necessity for more bites.  Crappie maybe not so much.  Would be interesting to do a side-by-side on trout with no leader and the white nano since the nano is so small in diameter.  But psychologically, I'd feel like I was turning fish off with what I think is highly visible line.

[Mitch f]

5 minutes ago, hoglaw said:

I forgot my spool, so I just tied on directly to the nano main line.  I only got one or two bites when I was getting bit regularly.  Now maybe I had already hooked all the fish in that spot, but I moved up and down and felt like I was getting a lot fewer bites than I should have been.  

Yea, it's a confidence thing with me too. I don't like straight braid or braid with leader....for me, too many problems. 

[J-Doc]

You started a thread where you are convinced your selection suits you.  You are already aware of some of the main points of discussion (arguments) as to why some use fluorocarbon as a leader.  You're asking for someone to change your mind towards a different point of view.

This is asking for a collection of opinions, various experiences, and specific examples may be provided.  At the end of the day, it boils down to how open minded are you to using fluorocarbon as a leader and are you willing to try it and come to your own conclusion based on your experience with it? 

Totally not trying to be an a$$ here.  Just looking at this from the root of the reason of the thread.  You're wanting someone to enlighten you right?  You can read lots of articles, lots of people's experience and recommendations but you still  have to try it for yourself to see if you like it or not.  Then, you will no for sure if you hate it or love it.

I personally use straight fluoro on spinning rods and baitcasters most of the time.  The only rods that have mono are specific to topwater.  I used to use copoly years ago and the lines I used (Yo-Zuri) was not abrasion resistant and snapped easily (at least it did for me......just my experience with it).

I know use PLine CXX and I've been wanting try try Maxima line.  I also use Inviz-x for my fluoro of choice.  I sometimes tie leaders but, I don't enjoy leader knots.  So I just spool the entire thing with fluoro and move on. 

Yes, heat can occur when tying a knot but wetting the line and being careful often solves this issue.  So at the end of the day, you have to give it a try.  Take one or two rods out rigged based on the experiences and suggestions here and then take those two rods only on a trip.  See how you liked it.  See if you didn't like it.  ANd be sure to use them in the right application.  Dragging football jigs through rocks with a leader is not a good application in my mind and begging for lost baits.  Some can do it well, most struggle.

 

Hope this helps.  Just trying to say, you need an open mind from the start.  THen you can arrive to a conclusive point of contention based on your own experience.  I think that is much more valuable to you as the user.

[Ham]

Well J Doc, The conventonal wisdom is to use fluro. Given my previous experiences with using fluro and thinking it thru, I don't understand why people choose that option. I would like to hear why people prefer fluro over a mono or copoly. I've used both. Since that was the "preferred" setup of the "professionals", I bought some fluro for leader and gave it an extended whirl. I have more breakoffs and lost fish with fluro than I do with mono or a copoly.

If others have used both and had a different experience, I would love to hear about it and see if there is something I need ot do differently to get the advantages out of using fluro without the negatives I have experienced.

I'm trying to determine if the advantages of fluro are legit or is this another example of unfounded group think in fishing.

[Mitch f]

2 minutes ago, Ham said:

I have more breakoffs and lost fish with fluro than I do with mono or a copoly.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. 

[J-Doc]

10 minutes ago, Mitch f said:

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. 

Loosen your drag. (saying that jokingly and with respect)

Seriously, that could help reduce it.