Flourocarbon leaders?

[TMF89]

I'd like to aquire a few, either by buying them pre-made, or making them myself. If I choose the DIY route, how exactly do you make flouro leaders, or leaders in general? I've never made any before, and while I think I know, I don't want a 20 pound musky proving me wrong!

P.S. Also, do you guys RECCOMEND flouro? I know there's a ton more, steel, titanium, single strand, seven strand, etc, what do you guys reccomend?

[mskyfshntchr]

I highly recommend fluoro on clear water. Use 130#; minimum of 100#. Can you use it for every lure? No. Jerk baits or walk the dog lures are not good with fluoro, but most other lures work without fouling.

I buy mine. Profile AWH on here and go to his HSOforum listed. He sells leaders from stealth. I've been very happy with every order I have placed with him. I get the stuff in 2 days everytime.

That would be your best bet, I think. Especially if you want to use them in a week or less on opener. Not much time for you to build them.

Good luck.

[DinkADunk]

It's cheaper to buy than build unless you're either into it or plan on making a bunch. For leaders you generally crimp a sleeve onto you leader material. There are two types of sleeve's, a single round sleeve (good for wire) and a double round (good for mono). Each sleeve type takes it's own crimper, and each crimper has a range of sleeve sizes that it can properly work on. I've made a few 200lb test floro leaders for the upcoming season. Some 18" ones for casting and some 5 footers for trolling. I've also made some 40lb 5 footers for walleye trolling and they've worked very well so far.

[TMF89]

Would you reccomend that high of a test for walleye? I know Flouro's hardly visible, but it still seems a bit high? Would you guys reccomend leaders of a few feet for trolling? I can see obviously why, just wondering if they sell those? Thanks

[AWH]

After talking to a number of well known guides that absolutely pound the water every year and put a ton of big fish in the boat, they’ve sold me on fluoro leaders. They are all convinced they absolutely make a difference. The biggest concern with them is the “failure” aspect. Legitimate concern, I believe. But this is why I won’t make them myself. I’d rather trust someone that knows what they’re doing.

I make my own wire leaders. Very simple. I’ve tried to make my own fluoro leaders. Not as easy. My knots were ok, but not on the 130# which is what I prefer. And I don’t trust myself to crimp correctly. So I leave that up to the professionals. I’ve heard a ton of feedback on the Stealth Tackle leaders and I have yet to hear of a failure on one. Pretty impressive! They’re the only fluoro leaders I’ll use because they’re the only ones I have complete confidence in.

One thing about fluoro that a lot of people don’t realize is that although they cost more than a wire leader, they will typically last you much longer than a wire leader. You’ll want to change out the snap before you will typically need to change the leader itself. So in the long run, they might actually be cheaper than wire. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve put on a new wire leader only to have it kinked up in less than 5 minutes when a 3 pound pike decides to have a little fun. Makes me glad I make my own!

If you trust yourself to make a high quality fluoro leader, go for it. But if you decide to buy, make sure you buy quality. There’s a lot of sub-par stuff out there.

Either way you decide to go, just make sure you inspect your leader often. A knicked leader is one that needs to be changed. Don't take a chance by either not checking or hoping you can get by. It's not worth a dead fish or that fish of a lifetime.

Aaron

[TMF89]

Awesome info, where can I find Stealth tackle?

[AWH]

A Google search for Stealth Tackle should get you what you need.

Aaron