I am looking to get some quality line for my medium light finesse set up. I will be tying a fluorocarbon leader to 15lb braid, and I am wondering what yall would recommend from the choices of Fluorocarbon that I mentioned above.
I only have experience with Seaguar Invizx @ 15#.
I think it's a really solid and good choice for an all around fluorocarbon line. I have one reel spun up with it and another reel with 30# Seaguar Smackdown braid with a #15 Invizx fluoro leader. I haven't had any issues with it. But like I said, it's the only one on your list that I have personally tried and used. The other lines I have no experience with, so can't really speak to them.
Same here on the Invizx. I do not finesse fish, so several of my baitcasters are spooled with Invixz 15lb. I like it because it is only .013" in diameter, which is the diameter some 12lb mono lines. never had a problem with it in the last several years. The 1000yd spools are also a big bucks savings on Amazon and being an old retired tightwad that fits my pocket book.
For what you're doing, it likely won't matter which of them you choose. Those are reel fill lines and they all work fine. The best option is to use real leader material. I like Seaguar Blue Label.
Thanks J Francho, I did look at the blue label a little but I forgot to add that to the list.
Also one more note (I don’t know if this matters or not) whatever brand I get it’ll be 6 pound test, so I just want to really have confidence in my line since it’s very light (at least compared to what I normally use).
Like @J Francho said, it won't make a bit of difference which one you choose for a short leader. The vast majority of the benefits offered by high end fluoro are lost when you're only using 5'-10' at a time. Buy actual leader material or buy some Seaguar Red Label and save some money.
All 3 are excellent lines, I've been using InvisX and its incredibly strong, I usually use the 8lb the most.
Sunline is also excellent and I use it a lot also.
I would not recommend buying leader line, its a rip off and really is not any different from a filler spool.
On 7/24/2019 at 7:58 AM, Yumeya said:its a rip off and really is not any different from a filler spool
Sounds like you never used real leader. It's NOTHING like reel fill. I would not want to fish a spool completely filled with leader. It's unruly.
I have some 6lb Sunline FC Leader on the way, as well as some 16lb FC100 for a heavier setup. Will report back.
Like J said, though, leader material is totally different from "regular" line.
Take your time with the connection knot. Well tied is better than any particular knot. I caught this fish using a triple surgeon knot (15# braid to 6# leader) because I was in a hurry to catch this fish.
Story about that fish here:
https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
On 7/24/2019 at 8:00 PM, J Francho said:Sounds like you never used real leader. It's NOTHING like reel fill.
May well be true. However, manufacturers aren't doing any of us any favors by being coy about what's different. Even the Seaguar site doesn't say much about how the blue leader is any different from their other fluoro's. It does say double something or other...same description as Tatsu.
Berkley leader doesn't even try to convince you its different...just smaller spools of Trilene. I haven't found a single one that makes an honest attempt to explain that the leader is different/better than their other flouros. They could be, but I am not yet convinced of the need to spend 10-20 times cost of the flouro and copoly that I already have on hand.
What advantage does a fluorocarbon leader offer over premium mono or coply line of equal diameter?
Regarding differences between Seagaur and Sunline FC is a coin toss?
Tom
On 7/24/2019 at 8:00 PM, J Francho said:Sounds like you never used real leader. It's NOTHING like reel fill. I would not want to fish a spool completely filled with leader. It's unruly.
Its just a stiffer fluorocarbon, the blue label will be more abrasion resistant vs invisX but if that is needed I would
go with Sunline Sniper.
On 7/25/2019 at 12:15 AM, Choporoz said:They could be, but I am not yet convinced of the need to spend 10-20 times cost of the flouro and copoly that I already have on hand.
Better knot strength, lower memory, harder formula, better abrasion resistance. If you're looking for the best answer, it's use leader material for leaders. If you're looking for a cheaper route, use whatever you want. We'll be here to help when you start breaking off.
Been using filler spools for leader for years and never had any issues.
You fill a spool with FC and use it, so using it as a leader makes what difference?
On 7/25/2019 at 2:06 AM, WRB said:What advantage does a fluorocarbon leader offer over premium mono or coply line of equal diameter?
Tom
I recently used some Orvis Superstrong plus 8.5lb that was recommended and had some problems with it VS my seaguar invisx 8lb, I was having multiple hooksets where my palomar knot would fail, but I haven't tried any other
mono for years so it could be that this Orvis line is just trash.
I tried some Orvis leader that was designated "bass" leader, too. It looked to be around 6-8# line, but broke at far less. Tossed mine too.
On 7/25/2019 at 2:40 AM, Yumeya said:You fill a spool with FC and use it, so using it as a leader makes what difference?
On 7/25/2019 at 2:33 AM, J Francho said:Better knot strength, lower memory, harder formula, better abrasion resistance.
On 7/25/2019 at 2:46 AM, J Francho said:I tried some Orvis leader that was designated "bass" leader, too. It looked to be around 6-8# line, but broke at far less. Tossed mine too.
I was just looking at mine Orvis line and noticed it says "made in Japan" I wonder who makes it????
On 7/25/2019 at 2:06 AM, WRB said:What advantage does a fluorocarbon leader offer over premium mono or coply line of equal diameter?
Regarding differences between Seagaur and Sunline FC is a coin toss?
Tom
None !
#ultragreen
A-Jay
After reading all these posts I think I might buy some leader material (probably blue label) to put it to the test myself.
QuoteOn 7/24/2019 at 11:47 PM, j bab said:I have some 6lb Sunline FC Leader on the way
Yes please let me know how that works for you.
On 7/25/2019 at 2:33 AM, J Francho said:Better knot strength, lower memory, harder formula, better abrasion resistance. If you're looking for the best answer, it's use leader material for leaders. If you're looking for a cheaper route, use whatever you want. We'll be here to help when you start breaking off.
Check this out. Not a good enough argument for spending a lot more for leader material
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/fluorocarbon-leader-vs-main-line/
Got some pline tactile 6# because of the 5 star reviews. A 4# bass broke off when I was landing it. I'll never use less than 10# from here on out. As Tom says just about every day... bass aren't line shy. Use whatever you want just make sure your knots are good and its rated for the conditions you are fishing. Dont worry about not getting bites because the bass sees it. I think the smell of your fingers, smoke, plastics, etc has more to so with it than sight which is why scented baits get more hits. It is not because its tasty and smells like a meal. Its because it doesn't smell like humans.
On 7/25/2019 at 7:49 AM, Mikeltee said:It is not because its tasty and smells like a meal. Its because it doesn't smell like humans.
Exactly! jj
On 7/25/2019 at 7:05 AM, looking45 said:Check this out. Not a good enough argument for spending a lot more for leader material
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/fluorocarbon-leader-vs-main-line/
I've seen this posted at least a dozen times. I'll keep it in mind next time I come across a big bass bedding in a homemade sand paper line testing machine. It has to be one of the worst examples of testing line I've ever seen. It reminds me of the guy that rigorously rubs different lines over a rock to prove mono is the best choice. Actually fish with the stuff, then report back. That's how I've figured out what works for me. Maybe it doesn't work for you? Who knows, I just report what I find. Line choices are very personal, and confidence in the line you choose is a basic cornerstone when fishing. It's more basic than even being able to cast. Lose faith, and your whole game is off. Monetized YouTube videos don't mean anything to me.
That same guy shows the main line breaking before the leader line when uniknotted together. For $6 for 25 yards I get what... 10 leaders? That's enough for a season for me. Who cares if its twice as much per foot. It's not like you are filling your whole spool with it.
I'm going to ask.. why 6 lb? Unless you're dropshotting in high pressure ultra-clear lakes out west, 8 lb would be just fine for 90% of finesse (drop shot, ned) fishing. That being said, If you have to use 6 lb I'd use Seaguar Tatsu.
The other seaguar flouros are fine in 6, 8 lb also - Invizx or Blue label as another has mentioned. If you're only using for leader only, I'd just get Blue Label (25 yds) for $12 or Sunline FC Leader $10 / 50yd spool..
It honestly doesn't matter too much in those smaller sizes, all flouros handle well in that range. I'm currently using the FC leader but both work well.
On 7/25/2019 at 7:49 AM, Mikeltee said:Got some pline tactile 6# because of the 5 star reviews. A 4# bass broke off when I was landing it. I'll never use less than 10# from here on out. As Tom says just about every day... bass aren't line shy. Use whatever you want just make sure your knots are good and its rated for the conditions you are fishing. Dont worry about not getting bites because the bass sees it. I think the smell of your fingers, smoke, plastics, etc has more to so with it than sight which is why scented baits get more hits. It is not because its tasty and smells like a meal. Its because it doesn't smell like humans.
pline tactical is absolute garbage, very brittle& breaks easily. I picked some up over my usual Sunline Sniper & huge regrets!!!
I use Red Label Seaguar for leaders because I like that it's a little stiffer than InvizX. Other than that I like mono for leaders also. I like that the fluoro sinks, and usually has a smaller diameter than mono of the same pound test, other than that I stick with mono for the better knot strength.
I've been using the 8.4lb Seaguar Finesse Fluoro for leader (the leftover on the spool after spooling reels with it), and it's worked very nice.
On 7/25/2019 at 6:02 AM, JK Jake said:After reading all these posts I think I might buy some leader material (probably blue label) to put it to the test myself.
Yes please let me know how that works for you.
*Just be sure to look at the Blue Label line diameter as it is larger than the same pound test in InvizX .
Here are my 2 cents worth...I'm an inshore and bass junkie who focuses on lighter fines presentations. Most of my inshore and bass fishing is done on a 7ft. med. light custom inshore rod with the stratic CI4+ 3000. I use 10lb 832 and change out my leader depending on what I'm going after. For bass fines fishing I've settled on 8lb. Invisx and 14lb. Snipper and 20lb blue label leader for inshore if there a lot of sharp rocks/oysters/structure. It depends on water clarity and structure.
I have tried a ton a different leaders and there is a significant difference while only using it as a leader. You need to look at overall diameter/stiffness/quality. Leader material typically is much thicker and stiffer and provides the best abrasion resistance. I'm usually doing a 6ft. leader so I can rip thru a spool of leader pretty quick. This season almost only use standard fluro and haven't noticed any more break-offs. I have not yet been able to justify the price difference of good fc vs fc leader. I hope this helps.
I'll be the odd-ball here and add that I use Sniper 7 lb as a main line for finesse and a lot of times as a leader tied to braid. I previously used Invizx as a main line, but did a stretch test and found Sniper to stretch a little less which helps on deep water hook-sets. As leader material, either brand would be fine...
I don't use leader, just straight Invisx 8lb for finesse.