Seaguar Gold Label Leader

[J Francho]

I already know that Tatsu 6# is the best finesse line I've used to date, so this 1000 yd. spool will be going on all my spinners before the weekend.  I have not tried this 8# Gold Label Leader yet, but I'm really looking forward to testing it on my float rigs for big browns, steelhead, and maybe the lucky straggling king or coho.  This has to be the softest leader I've had my hands on.  I'm not surprised, since it uses the same double formula used for Tatsu.  Break tests in the basement are barely passing 8 lbs., so I feel the strength rating is accurate.  It's a miniscule thicker than Blue Label (.005 mm) but it's much less the unruly leader material I'm used to.  Anyone else try it?

 

 

Oh yeah, I love the hat!

[shimanoangler]

Let me know how your test goes, as I'm very interested in it as a braid to leader material for smallmouth bass finesse techniques.  I've been using Red Label with great success in terms of not strength and reliability, and I've also dabbled with Tatsu a little bit but it's ungodly expensive.  because of cost reliability and not strength Red label has been my go-to leader material but I've read some good things about gold label and I'd be interested to hear anybody's real life experience with using it as a leader material.  

[FishTank]

6 hours ago, J Francho said:

I already know that Tatsu 6# is the best finesse line I've used to date, so this 1000 yd. spool will be going on all my spinners before the weekend.  I have not tried this 8# Gold Label Leader yet, but I'm really looking forward to testing it on my float rigs for big browns, steelhead, and maybe the lucky straggling king or coho.  This has to be the softest leader I've had my hands on.  I'm not surprised, since it uses the same double formula used for Tatsu.  Break tests in the basement are barely passing 8 lbs., so I feel the strength rating is accurate.  It's a miniscule thicker than Blue Label (.005 mm) but it's much less the unruly leader material I'm used to.  Anyone else try it?

 

 

Oh yeah, I love the hat!

 

Going to ask a dumb question I should know the answer to.....  Why would I use FC leader material instead of regular FC like Abrazix or Invizx when attaching it to braid?  

 

I have used leader material for saltwater but it was probably 100lb and was as think as a guitar string.  

 

Also, great purchase and I like the the hat.  I have been wanting to swap all my baitcaster line for 12lb Tatsu but I haven't been able get myself to put down $200 for a big spool of line.  Having used the 200 yard filler spool in the past and based on how long it lasted, I know over time it will be a good value but that starting price is painful. 

[J Francho]

I’m a bit more finicky with light spinning line, so it’s worth the extra. For bait casting, I’ve been very happy with 15# Invisx for most applications. I have a couple cranking setups loaded with 10# Tatsu, and a few with 50# Smackdown. 
 

I’ve always been a proponent of using leader material over reel fill lines for leaders. They are far tougher and since they are only 6-8’ long, it doesn’t matter that they are unruly. What’s different about this stuff is that it’s much more supple. Time will tell if it’s tough enough. 

[shimanoangler]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

I’m a bit more finicky with light spinning line, so it’s worth the extra. For bait casting, I’ve been very happy with 15# Invisx for most applications. I have a couple cranking setups loaded with 10# Tatsu, and a few with 50# Smackdown. 
 

I’ve always been a proponent of using leader material over reel fill lines for leaders. They are far tougher and since they are only 6-8’ long, it doesn’t matter that they are unruly. What’s different about this stuff is that it’s much more supple. Time will tell if it’s tough enough. 

I only fish spinning gear, preference I guess, but even with my medium heavy and heavy setups, using leaders with braid allows me to change up the presentation end of my line based on what I am doing. If I am dragging a pivot head over rocks, I may step up to 15 or 20 lb floro leader material for abrasion resistance, yet still have the braid for sensitivity and excellent casting distance.  If I am throwing top water, I can just cut off my 10 feet of floro leader, tie on some mono and wella I have the perfect set up for top water applications...  Or if I am throwing moving baits and I want a little bit of an extra shock absorber to the braid, I again tie on mono for my crank applications.

 

Braid is the best line ever on spinning reels and adding leaders allows you to really mix and match your presentations in a way that give you the very best chance for success, and to me success is hooking AND landing fish.  Great post.  Look forward to hearing how the gold label works out.   

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, shimanoangler said:

using leaders with braid allows me to change up the presentation end of my line based on what I am doing.

 

   Exactly! But why stop at braid? Leader material is leader material; as @J Francho said, it's tougher (and more abrasion resistant) than mainline material. You can use fluorocarbon leader on nylon, or you can use nylon leader material (like Maxima Chameleon) on nylon or braid .... or fluorocarbon. Use what best serves the purpose at hand, be that what it may.

   Just watch your knots. I'm lazy, so I use ball bearing swivels or oval split rings.       jj

[J Francho]

If is used a Carolina rig, I would definitely use a leader material. For trout and salmon, the rig has 5-6 knots on a main line, shot line, and leader. Fishing in rocky streams, I always use leader here. This same rig would work for river smallie use, I just don’t hit the river when they’re around. Otherwise, I prefer to tie direct. If I’m using a leader, it’s almost always braid to leader, so that short bit of line has to take a lot of abuse and shock. Leader material has always worked better for this.