Monofilament as a leader vs. Flurocarbon leader

[Clumsy fisherman]

I use FC line as a leader on braid. However, I read an article on the web a year or so ago about someone who had tested mono and FC and concluded that the difference in visibility between the two was minimal. Opinions? Anyone think it might be better to use mono as a leader instead of FC? Pros and cons of mono and FC as leaders?

[WRB]

Based on equal line diameter 25% stronger knot strength and impact strength.

Tom

[Dwight Hottle]

I have been using mono over fluoro for leaders for a really long time. I just refuse to deal with the inherent weaknesses of fluoro from tying knots which requires two knots on a leader set up. Fluoro also suffers from impact weakness in cold water as experienced by lake trout fisherman in the northern waters that freeze over. That’s my experience. 

[T-Billy]

Mono leaders... All pros, no cons. Sensitivity and sink rate are the only things flouro has over mono IMO. Visibility difference is WAAYYY overblown. Braid to leader negates both of those, unless using a really long leader. 

[bulldog1935]

In fly fishing, the rule is nylon floats, fluorocarbon sinks. 

[ChrisD46]

14 hours ago, WRB said:

Based on equal line diameter 25% stronger knot strength and impact strength.

Tom

There are some good alternatives for FC lines which are good for spinning set up leaders - a few of mine are :  Maxima Ultra Green #5lb. ~ #10 lb. , Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6 lb. & #8 lb. and P-Line CXX Crystal Clear #6 lb. & #8 lb. For a bait cast set up I would use the same , I just increase the line size to #12 lb. for leaders .

[Bankc]

Can't decide?  Try a co-poly like Yo-Zuri Hybrid.  

 

I've gotten away from using leaders in most situations.  When I do still use them, I tend to prefer fluoro for things that just sit there.  So for a drop shot or ned rig, I'll use fluoro.  If I'm fishing something like this, it's because I can't get a bite otherwise, so I'll take every advantage I can get.  If I'm fishing something like a topwater where I'm using the leader to make a stiffer line so I don't get my braid fouled up in the treble hooks, I'll use mono.  It floats and it seems to hold knots better.  Also, mono will stretch and shrink back, whereas fluoro just tends to stretch, and stay stretched out.  But if I where in a situation where I wanted 8lb fluoro, but only had 8lb mono or 12lb fluoro, I'll go with the 8lb mono.  Line diameter is more important to me than line composition.  

 

Point being, sometimes it doesn't matter and sometimes it does.  It's up to you to decide when it does or doesn't.  But there's no right or wrong answer here.  It's all just personal preference.