Florocarbon

[Trout King]

I've never used it and hve a few questions...

What are advantages and disadvantages of using it?

Is it really harder for fish to see?
How about strength?
I was thinking about getting some for leader line....
Also, is Proline Cabelas brand any good?

thanks
alex

[Lwapo]

I don't know much about it, but after being told to use it for leaders, we switched to it for our leaders and seem to be getting more hits now.

Then again, I could just be getting better at fishing! :lol:

[salmon_slayer06]

Use P-line. Its just a high quality low vis line thats very durable, strong, and has good knot strength and low stretch. Maxima in green is good too. If you retie leaders often, Maxima is good for value. P-line is 8 bucks for 25 meters and goes quick if leaders are 4 feet long. matter of fact, I gotta buy some more. Gander has got it too.

[Gone Fishing]

I'm not famiar with Proline Cabelas but make sure you get good quality line. I like Seaguars but I've heard good things about the P-line floro as well. For many species it probably isn't necessary but when they get line shy, it can help getting hookups. I'm not sure what you're targeting but if it's Bass, Walleye and panfish, it's probably not necessary. Trout and Salmon might be worth the investment. Just my opinion.

[Splitshot]

I agree with John. It works! The best I've found is Umpqua It is quite expensive $17.00 for 35 meters but well worth it.

[Mags]

I started using P-Line flouro in 6# about a year ago or so as leader material in river fishing. The spool I bought was 250 yds. Later, I saw smaller spools of P-Line labeled specifically as "leader." Is this the same stuff but in a smaller quantity or is it somehow different?

[Trout King]

I will be targeting mainly Steelhead and Salmon

[UBDSLO1]

I started using P-Line flouro in 6# about a year ago or so as leader material in river fishing. The spool I bought was 250 yds. Later, I saw smaller spools of P-Line labeled specifically as "leader." Is this the same stuff but in a smaller quantity or is it somehow different?
You probably picked up the Floro coated stuff, it good too. The P-Line "leader" is a lot stiffer, and waterproof so it sinks faster than mono. It's great line. As with any floro, you have to tie good knots. I want to try out the Umpqau floro as I have heard it is good too.
On a side note, I have switched to using all P-Line products. From downrigger rods, to ice line, to stream salmon and steelhead, smallmouth on the bays, perch and walleye, P-line all the way for me. this is after using Berkley products for years and years. After a lot of bad line batches and crappy customer service(oh wait, what's that???) that's what it took me to change brands. I'm happy with P-Line so far.

[Ranger Ray]

I like Yozuri. Fluorocarbon works great on those line shy fish.

[salmon_slayer06]

I started using P-Line flouro in 6# about a year ago or so as leader material in river fishing. The spool I bought was 250 yds. Later, I saw smaller spools of P-Line labeled specifically as "leader." Is this the same stuff but in a smaller quantity or is it somehow different?

I found that the resins they use in leaders make it a much stronger line they the actual fishing line. The fishing line is made of resins that make it more limp. Leaders are actually more stiff giving it that abrasion resitance and knot strength. Leaders labled leader material is better.

[Mags]

I found that the resins they use in leaders make it a much stronger line they the actual fishing line. The fishing line is made of resins that make it more limp. Leaders are actually more stiff giving it that abrasion resitance and knot strength. Leaders labled leader material is better.

Thanks Salmon Slayer. The P-Line I bought is 100% flouro,(not coated) but it must be that stuff made more as a "general" line vs. the line specifically for leaders. Makes sense......the stuff I got was around $17 for 250yds. and the leader line is I think 25 or 35yds. for around $8.

[salmon_slayer06]

Sometimes, a leader that is more limp will be better than a leader too stiff. Depends what application. I will tell you what, when you rig up a leadcore rig, after you spool on the leadcore, for the leader use the entire spool of the leader material. I use seaguar in 20 pound. The flouro. will sink faster and is completely invisible in the water. Its good stuff.

[halfcore]

Flouro does work....I use Triplefish and have found it to be one of the most economical which is surprising considering

1) They are the only manufacturer who actually "manufactures" their own line (others buy from them or China)
2) It is one of the few if only true 100% flouro (others add materials other than pure flouro which cause the line to become chalky or cloudy...thus not 100% clear...they do it to reduce their costs)
3) Is tough as nails
4) Has NO memory
5) Catches fish like crazy in clear offshore water

My .02..

[shakertaker]

I read in a magazine that recommended Replacing you florocarbon line after getting a big fish or a snag because the stresses put on the line change the structure of the line making it more visable to fish.

Either they need to sell more florocarbon or its a gimmick.

I used many lines from 500yd spools of 20 lb for a dollar to expensive spools of fireline. I use berkley xl on the big boat and cheep cajun red on the little boat where i expect to get snags and damage or loose line. the cajun is a little more prone to abrasion, but i know when to look for it.

I used flourocarbon once when it was cold and it is stiff, dont remember what kind it was, but i paid top dollar for it. it came off the spool like mechanics wire, and made a mess. I gave it all away to the person that recommend it to me.

Besides you are dragging 4 lead balls hanging by cable, towing usualy a bright flasher, with a squid that isnt in the great lakes. i dont think it matters if they can see the line. Its not like jigging or fishing with a bobber.

[waterfoul]

Get the P-Line Alex. It's all I use for leader line on my bass rods. I find it a bit expensive to use as leader line river fishing though (how many times do you break off at 6th street???). Also, in the stained and roiled waters you often fish, the Maxima you are using now is just as good... and it's what I've been using too.

[thousandcasts]

I tried a few Flouro's back when they started becoming popular, but I hated every one that I used. I didn't notice any difference in hook ups,but I sure noticed that I was losing more fish due to broken leaders. That lasted for a red hot minute and I was back to using my Maxima leader and mainline.

I haven't found the need to switch away from Maxima since then.

[Steelheadfred]

I tried a few Flouro's back when they started becoming popular, but I hated every one that I used. I didn't notice any difference in hook ups,but I sure noticed that I was losing more fish due to broken leaders. That lasted for a red hot minute and I was back to using my Maxima leader and mainline.

I haven't found the need to switch away from Maxima since then.

Steve my experience has been yours, tried it a number of times, never found the need to switch, never had a guy using it, out fish me standing next to me.

I rarely use anything less then six pound, this time of the year, when you can fish, they bite pretty well.

Fritz

[Splitshot]

Steve,

I had the same experience as you & went back & forth for a couple of years.

Most of my experience with flurocarbon has been fishing for wild trout on the Pine River. I did my testing by having two rods set up exactly the same except for the leader.

I experienced the same probIems in the beginning hut still noticied more hookups with the fluorocarbon. I ran my tests hundreds of times until I fished those days when the only bites I got were on the fluorocarbon.

Since then I found umpqua and now use if exclusively.

I'm not implying that I could ever outfish Steelheadfred as that's probably not possible, but I think its worth giving fluorocarbon another look.

I have had similar experiences when fishing for oversized bluegills as well.

[uptracker]

I love it! Just an example:

I fish in an area where snaging is illegal for Natives. They get quite a few fish that way too. Then there are those that can't snag and throw spoons/plugs and only get one fish per 200+ casts. I throw a plug with fluoro and out-fish the snaggers and the plug throwers. Not bragging, I just believe in it 100%.

I use P-line by the way. Many guys use the Maxima Green and do good in the fast dark water, but not as good in the slow clear water as I do. I even use it on the small streams for trout in the spring and summer.

[Erik]

I think the key is you have to use a heavier lb flouro. But after all isn't that why you use flouro in the first place? It is for me anyway.
That being said I only use flouro when I feel the need to exceed 8lb test strength line. Like say for salmon in the river. I'll spool my reel with 10lb p-line and use 10lb flouro for leaders.
When using the flouro I re-tie leaders more often just to be safe. It doesn't hold up to abbrasions as good as maxima.
I've also had bad experiances with flouro that is old. It doesn't seem to have the shelf life that maxima has.

[thousandcasts]

Steve,

I had the same experience as you & went back & forth for a couple of years.

Most of my experience with flurocarbon has been fishing for wild trout on the Pine River. I did my testing by having two rods set up exactly the same except for the leader.

I experienced the same probIems in the beginning hut still noticied more hookups with the fluorocarbon. I ran my tests hundreds of times until I fished those days when the only bites I got were on the fluorocarbon.

Since then I found umpqua and now use if exclusively.

I'm not implying that I could ever outfish Steelheadfred as that's probably not possible, but I think its worth giving fluorocarbon another look.

I have had similar experiences when fishing for oversized bluegills as well.

I can see that...I think the wild stream trout are a far more wary bunch than your standard salmon or steelhead, so stealthier methods will most certainly increase the chances for hookups. I mean, let's be fair here, I used flouro when I was fishing salmon and steelhead--and anyone who's ever fished with me knows I don't baby fish. :lol: So, my Flouro field tests are not anything to base a decision on, other than my own. I don't think there's a sensitive line on the market that can be 100% "Steve Proof!" :lol: