Fluorocarbon leader question

[Seabass81]

On my new lake trout rod I am spooled with 10lb ice braid. I plan on going from a swivel 2 a fluorocarbon leader .

Now I read a post about somebody catching lakers and using 40lb fluoro leader. I looked at a spool of 40lb and it looks like its too thick . So if this is invisible under water the thickness would only hamper jig movement right?

What pound test do you use? Can I buy a cheap spool of trilene 100% fluoro line and use as a leader?

Thanks

[Out4trout]

I use the 40lb flouro leader - just a short 4ft piece at the end. You're right that it is stiffer than line but the lure action isn't noticeably affected - the trout don't seem to mind!!
Flouro leader material is tougher than flouro line, and prevents bite-offs / ice cutting the line. Works great for pike as well. You can certainly get away without it, but I've lost several decent fish to bite-offs prior to adding the leader at the end, and none since.

[Seabass81]

Well in that case maybe I will give it a shot. I might have to split the spool with 1o friends......thats some expensive stuff !


John

[Out4trout]

I agree - it is pricey. I connect the two lines with a uni to uni knot. The heavy leader is a PITA to knot, put it in hot water to soften it first.

You could likely downsize to 25lb and it would be easier to tie and still serve it's purpose.

[seanympho]

I just started recently using the uni-knot for fluro leader and it seems to be tough as nails and ties very easy. I used Fluro for a whole spool once and wasn't very impressed but could see the advantage of a leader it is tough stuff. Chipped my tooth trying to bite it off

[Todd B.]

I would take a few cues from the saltwater guys and use the Rite-Bite Tippet knot. It's easy to tie and provides 100% connection strength.

For attaching your terminal tackle to heavy mono/fluro try the Homer Rhode Loop knot.

[RJ]

Not that you couldn't do it but...

IMO 40 lb test Fluro is WAY overkill for lakers....I've been using 10 pound Power Pro Ice and 10 lb test Seaguar Fluro leader......there no lakers around here that you couldn't tame with a decent reel and that setup.

Pike are about the only thing that should ever bite you off and that is simply the nature of the beast...

RJ

[seanympho]

RJ do you use the fluoro leader with pike as well? What pound test would you recommend? Thanks

[Mudpout]

As great as fluro is, it is not fool proof. Just ask the muskie i lost at the hole this weekend Pretty sure the ice cut the line, not the fish itself, and it was 30lbs test, fish was prob 10-12.


On the bright side though, this is what keeps us goin back isn't it!!!!

[RJ]

RJ do you use the fluoro leader with pike as well? What pound test would you recommend? Thanks

I don't use fluro for pike thru the ice......good ol Old School wire for me at that point......

RJ

[steelheadbum]

I run for walleye 8lb braid to a lead of 8lb fluorocarbon leader usually start with 24 inches so retying is not a problem of it being too short. Even ice fishing for steelhead we go with thew fluorocarbon lead in 3.3lb never any problems . Lakers with 10lb fluoro lead should be all you need.

Steelheadbum

[Out4trout]

I agree it is overkill on the lakers. However, my young lad lost a huge pike prior to using these leaders... so since then... (short) 40lb leaders!! I have just one spool of Seaguar that I make leaders from for all species...

IMO 40 lb test Fluro is WAY overkill for lakers....RJ

[seanympho]

I guess it all comes down to if you really want to chance losing a trophy or not?

[fishlover]

If you don't want to chance losing a big pike(or a decent one, for that matter), don't use less than 40 lb leader material. I use 15 for walleye, and pike cut through it the odd time--sometimes before you can even feel the weight of the fish.

Be prepared for periodic heartbreak if you enjoy catching pike, and use less than 40