Thoughts on Flouro leaders

[Dylan33]

Looking for thoughts and ideas from the bass "pros". I uses fireline almost exclusively. I know there are better options, but it is what I like and am used to how it handles. I am wondering if using a flouro leader when using jigs, senkos, and worms would increase the amount strikes because it is less visible?

any other pros or cons of using flouro as a leader on fireline? Thanks

[fishfearme]

I won't let fireline touch my reels, I use Power Pro, but I use flouro leaders. Usually about 8' in lenght. I use a Uni to Uni knot to tie the two together. I have never had that knot fail.

[Dylan33]

okay..i have to ask...what makes power pro so superior to fireline?

[RK]

I use Sufix Fuse, personally, although I have some Fireline too. I also use a back to back uni-knot. Dab of super glue doesn't hurt either. I start with 7' or so, and replace it when it gets down to 3-4 feet.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[fishfearme]

I think it is too stiff and it wears too quick.

[goose89]

+1, although I'm a walleye guy. Powerpro is round, and more supple (out of the box), and doesn't fray as easily. Casting, IMO, with Fireline is a nightmare until it's "broke-in". I'll use Fireline for trolling, but pitching, jigging, casting.....PP. Uni-Uni w/ 6-7' flouro as well.

[Nick Kuhn]

Fireline frays and is not very round. It is strong and casts ok, but there are definitely better superlines out there. I will be trying Sufix 832 this year. Ran my finger over it in store and it is much much smoother than equal test Sufix Performance Braid.

I don't bother with a flouro leader though. I can be outfished regularly by people using the Hi-Vis yellow lines. So unless absolutely nothing else is working, I just tie direct to the main line.

[Wayne Ek]

Dylan33. I use a fluorocarbon leader quite frequently on both Fireline and Power Pro, when using light presentations like a jigworm or senko. I also use it when jigging for walleyes. In the past I've used an 8-foot leader of fluoro. when drop-shotting but switched to a baitcaster when drop-shotting a couple of years ago and now use straight fluoro rather than a braid.

[Superduty]

I think the line to leader knots generally perform better with a braid than a fused superline like fireline. I have mixed feelings about using a leader. I will do it from time to time, but I honestly worry more about the extra knot failing than I do about getting less strikes because of the visibility of braid or fireline. I don't think bass are all that line shy. I often spool my kid's rods with high vis braid or mono so that I can see their line and tell them to jerk! I've seen a lot of nice smallies caught on bright green or even red line in crystal clear water less than 5'deep.

[EBass]

Quote:

I use Sufix Fuse,

Do you like that? I bought some, but thought it was really stiff and switched back to the Performance Braid. I do like the Sufix Performance Braid better than Power Pro, but I'll still buy Power Pro when it's on Sale as Sufix is never on sale.

I used to use floro leaders all the time, but I've lost some nice fish on the hook set (I can't tie a good uni I guess) so now I don't. I do use a black permanent marker and run that up the line a few feet when the water is clear or just a confidence thing.

What's the trick to not bust uni's? The glue? I normally make the braid knot way bigger as that seems to pull through.

[Ray Esboldt]

Here's my take on flouro leaders. I have experimented heavily with them. They are no good for me on baitcasters. I don't care who ties the knot or what kind of knot is used, I can break it on a hookset. They have worked out OK for me on spinning rods. The uni to uni is easier to tie, but a properly tied albright is a better knot. But, that's the whole deal, tying an albright when the wind is blowing, the boat is bouncing, and you're trying to run the trolling motor at the same time. If you can do that, you are my personal hero.

I have ended up using more flouro now than braid. The only time I use braid now is in heavy cover, and that is straight up braid with no leader.

[Cecil]

The weakest link is the knot, I dont see making 1-2 more of them being good...

[TonkaBass]

I normally just use either straight braid or straight flouro. Close range hooksets are horrible for a braid to flouro knot, but I haven't had problems with the deep hooksets. I can't say the same for others I have fished with. I gotta say, I lean away from it just cause it does fail often. I like the blood knot the best though. Not sure if its the best, I haven't tried them all yet

[PerchJerker]

I use flouro leaders a fair amount, but only in really clear water situations. That goes for all species of fish. I'd rather keep it simple (ie. tie direct) and not have to worry about the back-to-back uni-knot breaking.

Like others have posted, my dropshot rod is spooled with flouro and I've been really happy with how that's been working out.

[Dylan33]

Thanks for the input guys, good or bad, I think i'm going to stick with fireline on my spinning reels, and try Power Pro on my casting, and will skip the flouro leader all together. I think someone said, bass are not too picky or shy. I appreciate all the responses.

[Fever]

I respect your decision but I'd disagree. When fishing vertically (Not horizontally with a crank or a spinnerbait of some kind) but with a jig or plastic, Bass on pressured waters can be extremely line shy. I fish a few tournments a season and I'm also in a weekly league. There is NO way I'm tying direct with 30 - 50 lb power pro on a casting set up and feeling good about it in most cases. However If I can use a uni - uni or a blood knot depending on the lb test I'm tying, heck, even a small swivel with just a couple feet of 8 - 12 lb Flouro up from a jig or t-rigged worm I'm fishing with a ton more confidence. I usually am out with 10 or so set ups and all but 1 or 2 are casting. All of them but one or two have Power pro of some variety, and a few will definately have a flouro leader. I wouldn't fish without them. I have had the knot fail me I think 2 times in the past 5 - 6 seasons. Most likely to operator error... I"m guessing.

[Dylan33]

Fever- you may have changed my mind back again. The lakes I most often bass fish are heavily pressured and are clear water lakes. Hell, maybe I will try a flouro leader after all and see how it goes.

[hockeybc69]

It was said before, another knot is another point of failure.

I keep all braid or all flouro on the spools.

I would say 95% of my bass fishing is done with Powerpro right to the lures.

Dropshot is the only way I use the flouro.

[Fever]

Dylan. I have tried the braid directly to the lure when punching holes through milfoil, dragging a frog over the pads, when pitching into pockets of coontail and into the reeds and have had great success. However, when in more open water rocks, deeper edge of weedline and more in the open I would without a doubt try the flouro leader. A knot can be a weak spot I agree, but the break strength of some knots if properly tied, can be actually better than the actual break strength of the line itself. Just teach yourself how to do it. Take the time now and just learn the knots. Thats what I did and I'm glad I did it. I know it's made a difference. Also, like mentioned earlier. A small dab fo superglue could help your learning curve. I have in the past tried to keep my uni knots from going through my rod eyes when casting as I think that significantly weakens the knot. For the sake of argument, try it both ways and just pay attention to your results. I'm quite certain, on pressured clearer lakes, that the results will answer your questions.

[Larson15]

I only use braid on my frog rod and straight fluro on most of my other rigs. I do not like the idea of tying an extra knot if I can totally avoid it. I like the feel of fluro alot better anyways. A couple of summers ago I tried 30lb braid on a number of my baitcasters and had a lot of break offs at the knot. I talked to a few guys about it and found that since braid has zero stretch it will not absorb any shock on a hard hook set unlike fluro. 30lbs seems like alot but its pretty easy to generate this sort of power on a hook set. If I do use braid on a baitcaster now it is at-least 50lb. In regards to fireline I would recommend that you use the rounded fireline instead of the flat especially if you going to tie a leader. The flat fireline tends to slip more than than the round.

[hockeybc69]

Quote:

my baitcasters and had a lot of break offs at the knot.

What kind of knot did you use when these breakages were happening?

I have no issue with breakages. I use the double trilene knot. I used to use the palomar and regular trilene knot with braids and had frustrations.

[Superduty]

Did any of you guys see Zona's show when Aaron Martens said he is using braid with a leader for all his dropshotting now? He's a weird dude, but if he knows how to do one thing, it's fish a dropshot.

[Dylan33]

wow...so now I am even more confused than when I started.

Sounds like everyone has different preferences and feelings for different set ups. Maybe i'll just go with straight flouro instead of a braid with a flouro leader.

or just stick with what i know... fireline

or use power pro

or suffix

or mono?

[Larson15]

Palomar knot is what I always use on braid. Another part of the problem was that i was using braid on a my flippin sticks which are absolute broom sticks that are not forgiving.

[delmuts]

Dylan Do what many of us do! Try it on one rod. Then you can make up your own mind!