Old question, monofilament vs fluorocarbon leaders

402 Views 21 Replies 12 Participants Last post by D schuerenberg, 8 d ago

Douglasdzaster

Discussion Starter · 13 d ago

I researched some older post on here about leader line but I’ve also read that fluorocarbon has changed in the recent years.
Whats the preferred? I’m in the middle of gearing up for all catfish. Boats ready and I have a 40lb braid on my smaller rods I’m thinking for channel cat and 60lb braid on my big med/hvy rods. Now I’m shopping leader material. I was thinking of Berkeley vanish 25-30lb and 40-50lb. I’ve read pros and cons about fluorocarbon such as memory problems and knots being the biggest complaints .
Yall have been helping me through the whole process. I’m getting close to the end and ready to get started hunting the fish.
So what do you pros think my best options are what do you use?

Reactions: 2

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Herbhome

· #2 · 13 d ago

Douglas,
I have always used mono for leader line. It's tough and abrasion resistant which is important in the extremely rocky water I fish. Fluoro is supposed to be more invisible but cats are generally not line shy.
I mostly use 50 lb mono and occasionally heavier if I'm targeting monsters. If one is fishing muddy bottoms I'm sure 30lb would be great.
Hopefully the more experienced fellows on here will offer more help.

Reactions: 4

Douglasdzaster

Discussion Starter · #3 · 13 d ago

Herbhome said:
Douglas,
I have always used mono for leader line. It's tough and abrasion resistant which is important in the extremely rocky water I fish. Fluoro is supposed to be more invisible but cats are generally not line shy.
I mostly use 50 lb mono and occasionally heavier if I'm targeting monsters. If one is fishing muddy bottoms I'm sure 30lb would be great.
Hopefully the more experienced fellows on here will offer more help.

They haven’t failed me yet. Y’all are a great group here. You have known idea how much I appreciate everyone. I just posted another one looking for a fishing partner. Hopefully there’s someone in the area. My wife worries every time I go solo because I’m not getting any younger I guess. 😂

Reactions: 4

Douglasdzaster

Discussion Starter · #4 · 13 d ago

I ran across a package of Triple Fish leader line I used fishing the beach in Matagorda. I said hey I remember liking this stuff and I looked at it again and it’s fluorocarbon.
Someone else chime in here. I have one vote for monofilament.

Reactions: 1

bowhunter63

· #5 · 11 d ago

I use mono , I don’t think there line shy at all. I use Cajun Red mono for leaders. It is tough stuff and really abrasive resistance

Reactions: 4

Douglasdzaster

Discussion Starter · #6 · 11 d ago

bowhunter63 said:
I use mono , I don’t think there line shy at all. I use Cajun Red mono for leaders. It is tough stuff and really abrasive resistance

My son uses Cajun red in saltwater. Thanks for the reply.

Reactions: 1

Joblo

· #7 · 11 d ago

I use mono leaders, size depends on circumstance.

Reactions: 2

Douglasdzaster

Discussion Starter · #8 · 11 d ago

Joblo said:
I use mono leaders, size depends on circumstance.

Thanks for the input. That is three for mono. I figured with all the things I been hear about fluorocarbon it may be popular. This is why I like asking real fishermen that aren’t trying to sell something.

Reactions: 3

D schuerenberg

· #9 · 10 d ago

I ordered some braid line they through in small roll of 30lb fluorocabon leader it broke much easier than 30 lb big game mono when snagged

Reactions: 2

BubbaJoe

· #10 · 10 d ago

Berkley Big Game

Reactions: 2

twaskom

· #11 · 10 d ago

To me, the only advantage to fluorocarbon line is it’s low visibility in water. Since catfish are not line shy, it does not have an advantage. I use Berkeley Big Game (clear) 50# test when fishing for big cats. And often use the Hi-Vis yellow when fishing at night. I prefer braid in current because of the smaller diameter needed.

Reactions: 3

Herbhome

· #12 · 10 d ago

I do use fluorocarbon leader and tippet line when fly fishing and I want my fly to get a little deeper. For catfish I see no advantage.

Reactions: 2

D schuerenberg

· #13 · 10 d ago

For cats 30 to 50 lb big gameis hard to beat if you get hung up it's hard to break

Reactions: 2

truckgrandpa

· #14 · 10 d ago

D schuerenberg said:
I ordered some braid line they through in small roll of 30lb fluorocabon leader it broke much easier than 30 lb big game mono when snagged

Heck, Denny, with all the folks who talk about using mono as a backing for braid, that's what I thought the short section was for, the stuff that comes with some braid, I mean.
I don't use backing myself. I tie my braid to thespool, then add a bit of electrical tape over it, or occasionally I put a short piece on the spool under the braid.
Another thing about the piece of mono that comes with some braid, IMO, it's not enough to use for but maybe 2 leaders.

Reactions: 3

DerbyCat

· #15 · 10 d ago

I use mono also. Used to use 80 lb braid main line and 60 lb Big Game mono leader, I've now switched to 65 lb braid main line and 80 lb Ande mono leader. I've never tried flourocarbon so I can't comment on it.

Reactions: 3

ViperSSG

· #16 · 10 d ago

I started using fluorocarbon leaders on my cat rods only because I'm trying to clear my private fishing lake out of carp. AND they are line shy. If your using it only for a leader then "memory" won't be a problem. But if your strictly using it for catfish I see no need for it. As a matter of fact I question if you even need clear monofilament leader at all as I use solar green big game straight to the hook and never had a problem with cats being line shy.

Reactions: 3

D schuerenberg

· #17 · 10 d ago

truckgrandpa said:
Heck, Denny, with all the folks who talk about using mono as a backing for braid, that's what I thought the short section was for, the stuff that comes with some braid, I mean.
I don't use backing myself. I tie my braid to thespool, then add a bit of electrical tape over it, or occasionally I put a short piece on the spool under the braid.
Another thing about the piece of mono that comes with some braid, IMO, it's not enough to use for but maybe 2 leaders.

It was labelled 30yards 30 pound test fluorocarbon leader line put it on couple rods no problems just seamed to break noticeable easier when hung up

Reactions: 2

wasabi

· #18 · 9 d ago

Mono. I use this - stows well in my tackle bag

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Reactions: 4

Douglasdzaster

Discussion Starter · #19 · 8 d ago

D schuerenberg said:
I ordered some braid line they through in small roll of 30lb fluorocabon leader it broke much easier than 30 lb big game mono when snagged

I’ve used Big Game for years for everything else. Looks like it’s a good leader line too.

Reactions: 3

Douglasdzaster

Discussion Starter · #20 · 8 d ago

Thanks everyone for chiming in. Looks like I’ll stick to mono for catfish. I’m not sure how line shy stripers are may go fluorocar on for them until I learn more. They’re in the lake I’ll be catfishing the most and seem to strike at shad as much as catfish. Which my choices are fresh shad or brim live and for cut bait.
only carp I’ve eve caught where accidents while crappie fishing with monofilament. One good size carp would make a lot of cut bait.

Reactions: 3

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