Spro Brand Fluoro Leaders, 50 & 80Lb, Swivel

[MassBass]

Any of you pike and musky anglers use this product? Thinking of investing in a bunch of them, but they would have to be backordered at the moment. Comes with either a power swivel or a ball bearing swivel. I would use a ball bearing version for spinners, power (cheaper) for lures that don't twist. Does the fluoro get bent up in a tackle binder? I would use the 80lb targeting pike and 50lb for smallies. 

[OntarioFishingGuy]

50 lb for smallies? Pike issues?

[MassBass]

Yeah a big pike could easily rip a smallmouth spinner. 

[SirSnookalot]

You are right about the difference between a power swivel and ball bearing.  I've used all kinds of both from the top brands like Sampo and Spro to generics.  You may want to check out a Southern Salt on Ebay, pretty good product that offer some nice buys from time to time.

 

Swivels do not have to be large in size to be strong, for example I use a 45# ball bearing swivel on my barracuda set ups.  I use ones a bit larger offshore, don't recall the exact size, I feel I get a better knot using 40 and 50# leaders with the larger rings on a bigger swivel, I'd look for welded rings.

 

I do prefer the BB but I would not discount power swivels, have used name brands as well as Chinese and never had a problem with any of them, incredible strength in a very tiny package.

[everythingthatswims]

I like the power swivels, we use them a lot for saltwater stuff. No issues with them.

[MassBass]

Just recieved some of these; 50lb test with power swivels. Seems like a quality product. The snap is kind of big but seems strong which is more important.

[SirSnookalot]

For the most part a swivel breaking would be an anomaly IMO, the snap could be an issue but again remote.  I personal use a good grade swivel whether BB or power but people I fish with may not.  I fish with people that use Walmart snap swivels in salt water, have yet to see a failure both the swivel or the snap, many of these guys never even tie fresh knots.

I use the smallest swivel that I can as long as it doesn't go thru the top guide of the rod.  Even small swivels can be strong, 1 of the ones I use in freshwater is very tiny has 90# of strength, don't see too many freshwater fish that will break it.  They happen to be Chinese off Ebay, cheap and work great, I'd buy them again.  I do have larger ones as I use those with rods that have a larger top guide.  It isn't a strength issue as long as I use my drag properly.

Fishing with all kinds of swivels for both fresh and salt for eons I've come to the determination that they do help with line twist, but it's not perfection.  My results are pretty much the same whether I use a Sampo or Spro or a cheaper BB.   Same goes for the power swivel, don't find the additional expense has yielded better results.

 

I prefer to tie line to leader, except when I think I need a swivel.

[everythingthatswims]

If you fish braid, do a youtube search of the FG knot. It's awesome for tying 30+lb line to braid. 

[SirSnookalot]

If you fish braid, do a youtube search of the FG knot. It's awesome for tying 30+lb line to braid. 

Saw an episode of Henry Waszczuk fishing the flats.  He demonstrated how he tied an improved clinch with braid, I tried it and being using it ever since.  All that's done is making 2 wraps on the final step instead of one, what a difference it made.

[Brnnoser6983]

I do you flurro on my musky setup. I think it is 80 or 100 lbs. But I'm not 100% sure it's Spro. I have never had an issue catching larger pike, but didn't get out that much last year to try for musky.