I have always been a fan of Max Ultra Green for both main line & leaders. But after talking to one of my fishing buddies this weekend, who also guides on the coast rivers, I am re-thinking my leader choice. He stated that his clients hook up 30% more when he switched to a fluorocarbon leader. Does anyone have any comments on this stuff.

I've only used 2 kinds, berkely vanish was not good for tying knots I thought. didn't like it at all. got some sea guar floro from cabelas for leader for fly fishing the sound and it works killer. sea guar is probly your best bet. Ben

I tried vanish too and it sucked. The knots just pulled out.

I have two spools of vanish that I bought for tying up leaders 10 and 20 pound. I will never use these again and would not give them to my worst enemy, except in a derby. I did not get out much at all for stealhead this year and the one good chance I had I spent most of the day tying new leaders on because the Vanish was so brittle, it broke on every little snag, lost at least three fish to it too. Moral, don't use vanish for anything.

NEN

I agree 110% with Rockfish

There's a special version of the clinch knot you can tie with Vanish that greatly improves its knot strength. Also, don't use anything less than 14 lb test. I've been able to pull out numerous snags and have landed several fish with it.

I'll tell ya what....Vanish is indeed crap. Try Stren's version if youy MUST have flourocarbon line. Heard that people catch more fish on flourocarbon too. Funny, I seem to do just as well as the guys throwing that "invisible" line when I'm using Ultragreen. People probably say they catch more fish than they did last year because they are 1 more year experienced. The year after they'll say that they caught 60% more. Experience counts.....Not leader.... I'll never switch from Max UG. Love the stuff.

i used vanish for most of my leaders in the salt this past summer/fall for salmon and i never had one break on me when it shouldn't. the only thing about vanish is that it is one of the softer lines out there so when im trolling herring i use maxima UG for a leader since its stiffer and resists twisting better than most others.

You might consider the abrasion rating for fluoros before using them. They generally fail miserably in abrasion tests and for that reason are a poor choice, particularly for leader material. The line test showed Seaguar for example breaking after just 25 cycles while stren original in the same poundage (just one example) took 1295 of the same cycles to break the line! It's something to think about. Good luck!

RM

I tried vanish and threw it away for all the same reasons.Garbage!!!

I used to be a firm belever that fish were leader shy and tried to argue the point in case with my favorite author.He contended that they could care less what was tied to your hook within reason.We were talking about the fish in my homeport specificaly.I walked away thinking what a numbskull A year later I was using bright yellow 30lb super braid of some sort for summerruns.That was the discusion with Bill that convinced me I had alot to learn before I ever question that man.

I guess I am wondering why one would want to use a lesser leader when in most cases it isn't going to matter what ya use?

I have tried a lot of different lines and continually go back to Stren, it seems like it is more sensitive and the strength is there when you need it. Just a personal opinion, but it works for me.
Banock

flourocarbon for slurpers in May @lk. Chopaka. Maxima chameleon mainline Maxima UG for leader for steelhead/salmon. You can't go wrong.

Ditto on the Vanish. It is truly the worst line I have ever used!

Woodie, if you really want to go the fluorocarbon route check this one out. Invisiline from Sufix- " Invisiline is nearly invisible in water, sinks faster than nylon, with high shock strength and exceptional abrasion resistant properties" comes in weights starting @ 4 lb. then 6-8-10-12-15-20 and all the way to 425 lb. test, for those really big line-shy nates!!! W-site is www.sufix.com or ph. 1-800-554-1423....Man I should go into sales!!

Some thing to think about with flourocarbon is that it does not biodegrade very well if at all. So just remember that that leader you just left on the bottom is going to be there for a loooooooong time.

Say Woodie, depending on the type of fishing you do, flourocarbon lines can be the better. I do alot of salt/salmon action, but don't troll hardware and presentation is everything in mooching, its a must. True vanish is everything that everyone is saying about it, haven't lost a fish due to knot or abrasion problems, but have had many more hookups and my method of fishing hasn't changed.(hard to change long time habits) Stren (as told by a prominent figure at Sport Co. and used in the field) has worked for me for river presentation and hasn't failed me yet. Like regular mono, I change my leader on a frequent basis, (as I was taught when younger). Another characteristic problem I've encountered is that vanish is not that forgiving an that if you really give a good heeve-hooo on a hook set, you can pop the leader. I've always matched my main line to my leader and that should be in every situation....... Any ways hope this might give you some insights and more hookups. Got to go down to the sportsmen show........

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"DO THE WILD THANG"

P.S. Just gotta try it and see 4 yur self...

I tried Vanish on Sockeyes in Alaska. After snapping off two fish in a row right in the middle of the leader, I threw Vanish out.

Attention to those of you who care to help me out on the H20/Vision (mis-understanding)? After reading back over the post made on this thread I'm not seeing a hole lot of difference? Here we are fisherman posting our experence w/ a brand used.We for the most part are BASHING this brand. There is no one saying anything about this? Why!

because vision doesnt make line???

I've used the 12lb stren and cabelas fluorocarbons this season with good success, matched with 10 lb mono main or 25 lb braided main. You just can't use it with jigs, because the knot always slips down after the first snag and then you're fishing a vertical jig, which is no good. The knots won't re-cinch like mono.

HT