fluorocarbon vs. mono: Does it really matter?

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by NIB

IMO the abrasion resistance of flouro is far better than Mono.
I have been a flouro user for yrs.After reading last winter bout how it is no different I made a switch on some leaders.Well u know what came next right.Yup lost a good fish.Back to flouro for me..

For me, it's a question of cost vs benefit. You know how many yards of leader you go though in a night, jigging the Canal

Do I spend $100 a year for a few spools of Seaguar, or $8 every 2 years for a 1/4# spool of clear Ande 40?

[Mr. Sandman]

Speaking of breakaway clips (slightly off topic) I picked up some "new and improved" fastlinks recently at a local buzzards bay shop and they are indeed better IMO! The bend goes outward so it is MUCH easier to attach a lure with a split ring or even a bucktail without damaging the clip, using a light or going insane. I have landed a few good fish on them with no sign of strain. So far so good.

[Vogt]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

Speaking of breakaway clips (slightly off topic) I picked up some "new and improved" fastlinks recently at a local buzzards bay shop and they are indeed better IMO! The bend goes outward so it is MUCH easier to attach a lure with a split ring or even a bucktail without damaging the clip, using a light or going insane. I have landed a few good fish on them with no sign of strain. So far so good.

That sounds awesome, as much as I love the regular fastlinks they do drive me crazzy sometimes, like when you need to change lures right away because theres fish in front of you, and you cant get something off of it......

[NIB]

Originally Posted by Mike P

For me, it's a question of cost vs benefit. You know how many yards of leader you go though in a night, jigging the Canal

Do I spend $100 a year for a few spools of Seaguar, or $8 every 2 years for a 1/4# spool of clear Ande 40?

My canal leaders are 18 inches long.I was buying triple fish flouro from cabela's @ 27.99 per 100 yd spools.One of the only things I buy from the mail order walmart type stores.100 yds should last most fisherman a season..
It's funny how guys fish with gear that will total over 1500 with waders an they won't spend 30 dollars a yr on leader,..
If it saves me one custom plug I am ahead of the game..
I had over 700 lbs of fish in a mad frenzy on 7-5..I had all of the fish on one plug an one leader.Draggin 25-30 lbers around rocks the whole time.I don't need any convincing..Seems everytime I go away from what has worked well for me in the past few years it was thru something I read on the internet an it cost me..I have total confidence in my gear from my reels thru the clips I use.I now it's limitations.I think this is as important as anything..U can use what u like just don't ask it to do something it cannot..

[Mike P]

How many leaders do you leave on the bottom fishing from the jetties down your way? It's not just the leaders that get chewed up that adds to the cost--it's the ones that break at the barrell when you hang the bottom. Last year I went thru four 50 yard wheels of mono leader, and probably $500 worth of lead. Seaguar is like $15 for 25 yards. Even the 50 yard wheels got too rich for my blood, so I went for the 1/4# spool of Ande. The $225 1209 and the $565 Saltiga (direct from Japan) are forever. Buy 'em once and they're yours unless they break or some a-hole clips them. Jigs, braid and leader are recurring expenses. You save where you can. I would guess I lose two fish a year to a leader breaking from abrasion. The added cost just isn't worth it for me. Flouro isn't wire--it still chafes, and when my leader chafes, I don't trust it any longer. I cut it and retie my clip if the leader's still long enough, or replace it if what's left is too short. I like a 30" to 36" leader, and a swivel big enough to use as a grab handle. That way I can lift a schoolie or small keeper up by hand without slipping on the low rocks or bubble weed.