fluorocarbon leader

[gjfisher]

New member here!  I normally use 20lb fluorocarbon leader and have not had any problems in heavy vegetation or rocky areas.  The last two outings, however, my leader snapped twice on me when reeling in fish in weeds.  In both instances the snap happened after I had caught big fish so there might have been some slight fraying on the line.  The brand I use is Berkley Vanish.  

 

Should I move to higher lb test or a different brand that's more resistant to fraying (if there is such a thing)?  What brand do you guys recommend?  Thanks in advance!

[OkobojiEagle]

Berkley Trilene 100% Fluoro might be a better fit for your fishing...

 

 

oe

[CroakHunter]

P-line cxx. 20lb. 

[stk44]

29 minutes ago, gjfisher said:

New member here!  I normally use 20lb fluorocarbon leader and have not had any problems in heavy vegetation or rocky areas.  The last two outings, however, my leader snapped twice on me when reeling in fish in weeds.  In both instances the snap happened after I had caught big fish so there might have been some slight fraying on the line.  The brand I use is Berkley Vanish.  

 

Should I move to higher lb test or a different brand that's more resistant to fraying (if there is such a thing)?  What brand do you guys recommend?  Thanks in advance!

Check the knot connecting the mainline to flouro leader periodically and check About 3-4 feet of your leader often for nicks in the line. If you feel any, cut and re tie.

20 lb flouro is pretty heavy. Do a google search for Berkley vanish. Not a very good reputation. 

[Peddiesake]

If it's breaking at the connection, Make sure your connection knot is tight and pure when drawn. I have only had one break in four years using uni to uni knot.

[NHBull]

There are better lines for the money

If it broke at the knot might be the knot or what you are timing 

If you are throwing into salad, why not use and tie it direct

There are better lines for the money

If it broke at the knot might be the knot or what you are timing 

If you are throwing into salad, why not use and tie it direct

[Smokinal]

Its called vanish for a reason; because that's what your fish do....

[islandbass]

Vanish is exactly what the fish will do. Consider yourself lucky you didn't lose those big fish. Of all the lines I have ever tried, vanish by far has been the worst. Change to a diffrent fluorocarbon line will likely be better for you. With that said, it would behoove you to check your line, both leader and standing end and the joining knot after every catch and occasionally after a few casts. 

[WRB]

On July 22, 2017 at 5:49 PM, gjfisher said:

New member here!  I normally use 20lb fluorocarbon leader and have not had any problems in heavy vegetation or rocky areas.  The last two outings, however, my leader snapped twice on me when reeling in fish in weeds.  In both instances the snap happened after I had caught big fish so there might have been some slight fraying on the line.  The brand I use is Berkley Vanish.  

 

Should I move to higher lb test or a different brand that's more resistant to fraying (if there is such a thing)?  What brand do you guys recommend?  Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the BR forums.

You can go with straight braid in heavy cover. The only reason to use a leader of less strength then braid is to allow you to break the leader off if you can't get to the lure.

As you can see from the replies Vanish has earned a poor reputation but 20 lb test shouldn't break off easily. You don't need FC leader, suggest using any premium mono like Big Game.

Tom

 

[CybrSlydr]

I've been very happy with using P-line CXX as my leader and Sufix 832 as the main.  Using a uni-knot to connect them has worked perfectly.  That P-line is tough as nails.  I yanked a T-rigged senko out of a tree with a fully engaged drag and didn't break either the main or the P-line leader.  The main is 10lb and the leader is 8lb!  I was impressed.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

20 lb test shouldn't break off easily

Absolutely no way your line should be breaking as you describe if you have a good knot and your line is not compromised by rocks, rough edges on line guides, etc.  You will most likely break your rod before you break 20# line by pulling on it with your rod.  If I'm really snagged up with heavy # line, after trying reasonable pressure from every angle and direction to free it up, I will wrap a small piece of wood around the line well beyond the rod tip and pull back from there so there is no danger of breaking the rod.

I landed a 28# salmon last fall in the Genesee River using 15# Big Game as my main line with a barrel swivel (attaching split shot sinkers to the tag end of the main line connection)  and then 2 feet of  17# Vanish leader tied to the other end of the barrel swivel and then to the hook.  Take your time and tie good knots; Palomar or Trilene knots are what I use for direct connections and Alberto knot for line to line connection, however, you may find others that are just as good for you.  Make sure to pull hard on your line to test your knots after tying them carefully and neatly and check your line periodically.

Best of luck.

[gjfisher]

Thanks for all the helpful replies!  The knot I used to tie the leader on was a uni-to-uni knot.  I was fishing a tube on a 1/8oz jighead and I tied the jighead to the leader with a Palomar knot.  In both instances the knots were fine but the leader broke about 1-2 inches above the jighead.  I was fishing in weedy but not rocky water.  So either the leader is inferior or it was badly frayed by the mouths of the bass. 

 

I will try a couple different brands and make sure that I check the line after every catch.