Stretchy Leader Fluoro

[Scud_Muffin]

If I was looking for stretchy leader fluoro for treble hook baits, are there any that are particular good for shock absorption. I’m guessing something like FC Crank or Invizx. Hoping that going for something stretchier can help provide some of the benefits of straight fluoro while still using braid.

 

May even try using it with a long (20+ foot) leader, never tried it. But also just looking for an extra hit of stretch even on shorter ones.
 

thanks! 

[Deleted account]

50 minutes ago, Scud_Muffin said:

May even try using it with a long (20+ foot) leader, never tried it. But also just looking for an extra hit of stretch even on shorter ones.

That's what I would do, 8-12 feet should do it, but with 10 or 12 lb mono instead of that other stuff.

[MickD]

I believe but have no data that line-grade FC and mono's have more stretch than the leader-grade FC's and monos.  I agree that the 8-12 feet length should work pretty well with either.  I use a premium grade of fly tippet FC and am tending towards the longer lengths for stealth.

[Scud_Muffin]

10 minutes ago, MickD said:

I believe but have no data that line-grade FC and mono's have more stretch than the leader-grade FC's and monos.  I agree that the 8-12 feet length should work pretty well with either.  I use a premium grade of fly tippet FC and am tending towards the longer lengths for stealth.

Why do they make leader fluoro less stretchy? Are they just trying to maximize abrasion resistance since they don’t have to worry about how it manages as main line?

[Deleted account]

25 minutes ago, Scud_Muffin said:

Why do they make leader fluoro less stretchy? Are they just trying to maximize abrasion resistance since they don’t have to worry about how it manages as main line?

Pretty much.

[MickD]

It has the advantage of being less likely to tangle with lures like blade baits, too.  It's stiffer. 

[Functional]

The very first Floro i bought was P-Line before I knew any better. Super Stretchy

[J Francho]

Okuma makes a product called Soft Steel that I've tested. It's a stretchable fluoro leader that actually works quite well for what it is. I don't particularly need it, but it work for what you need. 
 

 

https://softsteelusa.com/products/fluoro-stretch-stretchable-fluorocarbon-leader

[suzuki2903]

It’s not ? fluro but yo zuri hybrid is stretchy 

[Bankc]

17 minutes ago, suzuki2903 said:

It’s not ? fluro but yo zuri hybrid is stretchy 

That's what I was thinking.  Typically, fluoro stretches, but doesn't rebound fully back to its original size after it does.  Obviously there are different formulations with different properties, but generally, if you want a line for its ability to stretch and rebound, then mono is the way to go.  Yo-Zuri is a hybrid that kind of shares properties from both.  And it does a better job of rebounding after stretching than most true fluorocarbon lines I've tried.  It's not as invisible as true fluoro nor is it as abrasion resistant, but it's better in both aspects than true mono.  Plus it doesn't have as much line memory as fluoro.  

[Choporoz]

YZH is outstanding leader material.  Cheap, neutraly buoyant, abrasion resistant, less visible than braid, and just a little stretchy.  I started using it because it was what I had around when I first tried braid to leader.  It is just about all I use now.

[J Francho]

The Soft Steel leader I mentioned is WAYYYY stretchier than YZH and doesn't deform like standard fluoro. 

[Scud_Muffin]

How do these lines like YZH and soft steel affect diving depth? I’m thinking about jerkbaits and crankbaits in particular. How does leader length play into that equation?

 

Appreciate all the help y’all, it’s great having places to explore questions. 

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, Scud_Muffin said:

How do these lines like YZH and soft steel affect diving depth? I’m thinking about jerkbaits and crankbaits in particular. How does leader length play into that equation?

 

Appreciate all the help y’all, it’s great having places to explore questions. 

From my experience - YZH is close to neutrally bouyant...neither floats (like mono) nor sinks (like FC).

 

It's the only line I'll use on my crankbaits as it doesn't seem to affect depth in any way.

[bulldog1935]

Since no one else said it yet - Seaguar Blue Label. 

Tough, elastic, superior knot strength. 

[WRB]

Stretch is a stretch. Put 4 lbs of force for 2 seconds on any mono /FC rated 15 lb test and measure the inches  on stretch... zero!

MH rod fully loads up with 4 lbs f force!

Tom

[FishTank]

3 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Since no one else said it yet - Seaguar Blue Label. 

Tough, elastic, superior knot strength. 

 

I like Blue Label. Haven't used it in a long time but I do remember it pretty stretchy and tough. I found Premier to just as stretchy but softer and less abrasion resistant. So far, Gold Label has been a great in-between and has also become my favorite. 

[bulldog1935]

@FishTank yes, Seaguar Gold is thinner, harder, more abrasion-resistant, lower memory. 

I use 30- and 40-lb on my surf reels, but our OP sounds like he's asking someone to recommend Seaguar Blue. 

[Scud_Muffin]

I’m thinking I need to try a couple of these. Thanks for the recommendations!

[FishTank]

Just now, bulldog1935 said:

@FishTank yes, Seaguar Gold is thinner, harder, more abrasion-resistant, lower memory. 

I use 20- and 30-lb on my surf reels, but our OP sounds like he's asking someone to recommend Seaguar Blue. 

 

Ya you are right. I should have mentioned it was probably the best choice of the three for the OP. For the stuff I fish, I have been happy with 10lb Gold Label on spinning gear and now 6lb for my BFS set up but I have been using it primarily for soft plastic.  I have yet to try anything heavier in it.  

 

I use to use 15lb Blue Label for my all around kayak set up, which had 40lb braid. I fished everything from crankbaits to jigs on this setup and never had an issue until I would get hung up. The 15lb was hard to break off. 

[Scud_Muffin]

5 minutes ago, FishTank said:

 

Ya you are right. I should have mentioned it was probably the best choice of the three for the OP. For the stuff I fish, I have been happy with 10lb Gold Label on spinning gear and now 6lb for my BFS set up but I have been using it primarily for soft plastic.  I have yet to try anything heavier in it.  

 

I use to use 15lb Blue Label for my all around kayak set up, which had 40lb braid. I fished everything from crankbaits to jigs on this setup and never had an issue until I would get hung up. The 15lb was hard to break off. 

I’m literally looking to use this as a method to help improve versatility on the kayak. For instance, put braid on the mad bull so it can do top water then a super long fluoro leader to make it do well with crankbaits. And on spinning, take the Windbuster and add long fluoro leader for finesse cranks/jerkbaits but short fluoro leader of something stiffer for shakyheads etc. 

[FishTank]

6 minutes ago, Scud_Muffin said:

I’m literally looking to use this as a method to help improve versatility on the kayak. For instance, put braid on the mad bull so it can do top water then a super long fluoro leader to make it do well with crankbaits. And on spinning, take the Windbuster and add long fluoro leader for finesse cranks/jerkbaits but short fluoro leader of something stiffer for shakyheads etc. 

 

Not bad but I would caution on one thing and it's just my opinion..... Not a fan of braid to leader or straight braid with jerkbaits.  For me, I either like straight FC or Mono depending on where on the lake I am fishing, what water temp/conditions and what bait I am using.  

[Scud_Muffin]

43 minutes ago, FishTank said:

 

Not bad but I would caution on one thing and it's just my opinion..... Not a fan of braid to leader or straight braid with jerkbaits.  For me, I either like straight FC or Mono depending on where on the lake I am fishing, what water temp/conditions and what bait I am using.  

what is it you don’t like? I’ve heard the Randy Blaukat anti-braid thing and it makes sense to me but I really, really hate wind knots and saw value in the versatility. But I could maybe force myself to keep fluoro on a ronin I just got in the mail today and keep trying it. 
 

Also tried backreeling and just made a tangled mess lol. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I would suggest just going with Big Game mono.  Its really strong, abrasion resistant, good knot strength and its cheap.  Invizx and Red Label would work as well, but the knot strength and abrasion resistance is noticeably inferior to Big Game, in my experience anyway.  Now if you want to spend the money and go with a FC leader material, Yo Zuri HD is the way to go.  Its softer and has more stretch then Blue Label, but has good abrasion resistance.  That softer outer layer helps this line knot very well.  In my experience the knot strength is as good or better then Blue Label.  I have supreme confidence in both Blue Label and HD.  I absolutely love the spools the HD comes in.  Its got rubber gaskets that form a soft seal to hold the line as it comes off the spool.  Its by far the best design leader spool as far easy access goes.   When I run out of the HD I just refill it with Blue Label.