Flourocarbon Leaders

[Rebel9921]

I have decided to bite the bullet and am willing to experiment with Flouro Leaders... What I would like to know is where I can find the materials I need to make my own... I need to know the specific materials... I plan to use Seaguar 130#... If any of you can steer me in the right direction to purchase all the stuff I need to make my own leaders including a crimping tool, it'd be greatly appreciated... Email me the info at [email protected] if it will be easier... thanks!

[RK]

Hiya -

You can get basically everything you need from a saltwater catalog like Bass Pro's Offshore Angler - or get it from their HSOforum.

You don't need much:

- a pair of compound pressure cup to cup crimping pliers (they'll run you about $30 and last forever)

- the appropriate size sleeves. If my memory's correct, you need a 3mm sleeve for #130. I prefer either oval or double-barrel aluminum sleeves rather than round brass sleeves.

- Whatever snaps or swivels you want to add

- If you plan on using them trolling, consider getting some spring loop protectors. These are little plastic coil springs that slide over the leader material and cushion the material from wear from the snap.

That's really about all you need. Look online, and there are some pretty good how-to sites from the Saltwater guys on making fluoro leaders.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Rebel9921]

Many thanks Rob... I'll do that asap!!!

[JP Z]

Rebel,

I also decided to play with Flouro leaders this year. The main think I stress is that you don't OVERCRIMP! As that is the main point that you weaken your leader at.

[Rebel9921]

Yeah... good advice JPZ I didnt think of that... exactly when should I stop the pressure for crimping??? Thanks!

[RK]

Hiya -

The overcrimping thing is why you DEFINITELY need a cup to cup crimping pliers. Point to cup crimpers - the cheap red ones you can get basically anywhere - don't actually crimp the sleeve, they crush it. That's exactly what you don't want. With a point to cup pliers, there's very little distance between over- and under-crimping, and no control over telling how much you're crimping other than eyeballing it.

Cup tp cup crimpers have different cups for different size sleeves, so you match the cup you use to the sleeve diameter. You can squeeze as hard as you want, and as long as you're using the right cups, you can't over- or under-crimp. They're pretty (Contact Us Please) proof.

When a crimp is done properly, the sleeve is compressed around the material, and the ends of the crimp will be flared like the bell on a trumpet.

Sleeve choice plays into good crimps too - that's why I said in my earlier post I prefer oval or double-barrel sleeves. With round sleeves, the material can cross over itself inside the sleeve and get pinched, which can weaken the leader. Oval or double-barrel sleeves keep that from happening.

Bottom line - get cup to cup, compound pressure crimpers...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Rebel9921]

Excellent info there Rob... now can you steer me to brand of crimping pliers? or places that sells those pliers that you would buy from?

Now again, another question... what length would be appropriate for flouros??? Im used to 12" seven-strand leaders so would 12" or 15" be the right choice?

Thanks again!!!

[DinkADunk]

Thorne Brothers has the crimpers, sleeves, and other material for making your own leaders. I've made some 12" and 18" ones, plus some 5' 200lb leaders for trolling.

[traveler]

I've been looking for crimpers for a couple weeks, on and off line, and can't find a good pair. On line (saltwater sites) there are plenty of them (I even ordered the smallest pair I could find pair) but they are all for heavier line; even the smallest sleeves they have a slot for are .01-.05 I ended up getting a cheap pair last minute from Gander but they're the red handled kind. Although they are cup to cup (kind of) they aren't very precise at all. I did make up a couple leaders, which is quick and easy, but they have yet to be tested on any big fish. I found a site with leader making tips, and mine look fine, but... I also could only find single, round sleeves in a small enuf size (ones I ordered online were, again, too big) so I'm, worried about them. I guess I should just use 200 lb test! Then I'd be all set. So what size double sleeves do you use for say, 80 lb test? The too big ones I have are .081 Also, when useing double sleeves, only 1 side of the sleeve will be in the proper size cup. How does that work? Just reverse it? I think this will all be pretty easy once I get the right tool and figure out crimp sizes, I really like being able to choose the swivel and snap you like.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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I've been looking for crimpers for a couple weeks, on and off line, and can't find a good pair. On line (saltwater sites) there are plenty of them (I even ordered the smallest pair I could find pair) but they are all for heavier line; even the smallest sleeves they have a slot for are .01-.05 I ended up getting a cheap pair last minute from Gander but they're the red handled kind. Although they are cup to cup (kind of) they aren't very precise at all. I did make up a couple leaders, which is quick and easy, but they have yet to be tested on any big fish. I found a site with leader making tips, and mine look fine, but... I also could only find single, round sleeves in a small enuf size (ones I ordered online were, again, too big) so I'm, worried about them. I guess I should just use 200 lb test! Then I'd be all set. So what size double sleeves do you use for say, 80 lb test? The too big ones I have are .081 Also, when useing double sleeves, only 1 side of the sleeve will be in the proper size cup. How does that work? Just reverse it? I think this will all be pretty easy once I get the right tool and figure out crimp sizes, I really like being able to choose the swivel and snap you like.

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Check Cabelas online and look at the Saltwater Terminal Tackle.

The "Cabelas Crimping/Cutting Tool" will do the job for you.

For sleeve size, your best bet is to call a place like Thorne Brothers. They can look while your on the phone with them and pick out some sleeves that will work for the floro that you have.

[DinkADunk]

For 40lb mono I use Mason 11D, 80lb mono Mason 21D, 200lb mono Mason 41D. For 150lb mono you would use 31D. The Mason mono crimping tool will work for all of these. I have an Jinkai crimping tool and it's smallest setting is too large for the small 11D sleeve - for that I use a pair of pliers that has a small round slot. You can pick up all of the supplies at Thorne Brothers

[RK]

Hiya -

I think I got my crimping pliers from Bass Pro's Offshore Angler catalog. As others said, I'm sure Thorne Bros carries them too.

For sleeves, I mainly use aluminum oval sleeves. 1.3mm for #130, 1.5mm for #200. I think I said something totally different for sizes earlier - that's what I get for trying to use my memory... #130 takes a 1.3mm...

As for length, I make 12"-ish leaders for casting. My trolling leaders are 5 feet or so.

I'm starting to use fluoro less for casting though. Main reason I like the stuff is for trolling leaders - much more fish friendly when they roll in the line like they tend to do, especially in cold water or when you hook them on a board.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Rebel9921]

So, Rob, are you saying that I should stay with steel leader for casting??? I havent really ventured into trolling yet... mostly Im just doing lots of castings... 4+ hours of casting while the boat is drifting along the shoreline...

[traveler]

Great info guys, thanks a lot. Sounds like the 60-80 lb mono/floro I bought is pretty light for leaders. Maybe the crimper I have will be good once I bump up the line size. It's a Boone I got from Cabelas.

[JP Z]

I picked up 2 pairs of the Calcutta crimpers from Reeds. They really aren't the perfect tool for the job, but I was prepared before I started to make sure they crimped well. This way I watch them closely as I crimp so as not to over crimp. And on tests I've done (not too scientific.) Connect one to a stationary pole and the other to me and pulll.....and pulll.....and get cut on the leader....and cry.....a little.