Advantages of fluorocarbon
It is recommended to use a fluorocarbon leader:
- at shallow depths up to 5 meters;
- in places of high pressure among spinning anglers, where fish have already been hooked;
- in clear water;
- and especially when fishing with wobblers.
Due to its qualities, such a leash is invisible to the eyes of a predator, and he is more willing to grab the bait, losing caution.
Moreover, all wobblers that are tested before hitting the store counter are tested only on fluorocarbon. Playing a wobbler on a metal leash is significantly different from playing on a fluorocarbon leash using a cord or fluorocarbon line.
For those who doubt the reliability of fluorine, I can only offer one thing: just try it once, and the result will be obvious.
Fluorocarbon pike leashes - pros and cons
When fishing for pike, a leash is necessary to secure the spoon, since fishing line alone is not enough when catching this predator; the fish effortlessly bites the thread, while the spoon remains in the mouth of the predator.
By using a cable or wire for a leash, it becomes noticeable in the water, the play of the bait is reduced, and this naturally scares away the pike. The fluorocarbon leash is more sensitive, invisible, durable and a predator cannot bite through it.
Positive aspects of this material:
- It does not change its properties when the temperature changes, so it is suitable for winter fishing.
- The material is very durable, pike cannot bite through it.
- This material does not freeze and does not absorb water.
- Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the original properties are not lost.
- This leash is completely invisible in the water, so it is suitable for both winter and summer pike fishing.
- If you use a fishing line made of such material, the quality of fishing for large individuals will improve; thanks to this material, jerks are dampened.
- Due to the fact that fluorocarbon is not afraid of mechanical stress, the thread and leash are suitable for fishing in reservoirs with rocky and shell bottoms.
- This line will help you catch large fish; for this you need a multiplicative reel.
- This material allows you to fish at the bottom of reservoirs, since the thread and leash are well immersed in the water.
Cons of fluorocarbon:
- High cost, although this is not an obstacle for true fishermen.
- Another disadvantage of this material is that it can only withstand 20 bites. If you notice a flaw, you need to immediately remove the leash, because the fish may escape, the ideal option is to change it after each bite.
Line size
As practice has shown, it is best to use fluorocarbon with a cross-section from 0.45 mm to 0.6 mm for leashes when fishing for pike. A fluorocarbon leader line with a cross section of 0.6 mm is 100% justified compared to 0.45. Its pike, especially small ones, manage to grind up after catching three or four pikes. Apparently, due to the large number of small and sharp teeth, with which it can easily saw through a fluorocarbon leash with a cross-section below 0.45.
A leash with a cross-section of 0.6 mm, in my experience, more than one pike has not been able to bite even after prolonged fishing. Most often, breaks occur if you do not monitor the condition of the leash. If you notice that the leash has small abrasions in the form of burrs, it should definitely be replaced.
Making a fluorocarbon leash with your own hands
To make fluorocarbon yourself, you should prepare the following materials and tools:
- fluorocarbon thread with a diameter of 2-3 mm;
- crimp tubes with a diameter of 1 mm;
- pliers;
- scissors;
- carbines;
- swivels.
The main stages of creating equipment
- Prepare a piece of cord 350 mm long.
- Place a pressure tube on one side and secure everything with a swivel.
- Create a small loop by bending the edge of the cord, and finally begin crimping the last one.
- With the other edge it is worth repeating all the manipulations with the only difference that the last one will be not the swivel, but the carabiner. The equipment is ready!
Making a fluorocarbon leash
For leashes I use Strike Pro fluorocarbon leash with a cross section of 0.6 mm.
The main difficulty I encountered when making leashes from 0.6 fluor was the knots. No fishing knot I know of fits here due to the stiffness of the material. I advise you to try tying any knot yourself, and you will understand everything yourself.
The method using crimp tubes also did not justify itself. The leash could not withstand a load of more than 4 kg and constantly tore at the crimp point. And when the tube was slightly compressed, the loop was tightened tightly, and in the end everything broke off smoothly. This option for making reins had to be abandoned.
3 Ways to Make Fluorocarbon Leaders
Through trial and error, the optimal solution was found, and it is simply simple. Figure eight knot with the tip of the leash secured with a locking knot. Everything is simple here. We thread the carabiner into the fishing line and make a loop using a figure eight knot. Next, we tighten the knot as much as we can, after moistening it with saliva (we will use the carabiner to fasten baits).
The tip of the fluor, which sticks out, is fixed to the leash with a simple locking knot. For these purposes, you can use a braided cord. Then we tighten the locking knot, pressing it into the figure eight loop. We cut off the excess fluor, leaving about 3 mm, and lightly melt it to the locking knot. Using a lighter, we form a small patch so that the locking knot does not fly off and tightly presses the figure eight loop.
We measure no more than 40 cm and cut the fishing line from the spool. We form the second loop at the opposite end of the leash in exactly the same way, only without a carabiner. It is possible without a swivel; this loop will be attached to the main cord or fishing line. You should get a leash from 25 cm to 30 cm. You should not make a longer leash, it will make it difficult to cast the bait.
Such a knot in the manufacture of leashes from fluorocarbon fishing line with a cross-section of 0.6 mm is very simple to implement. It is reliable and can withstand tensile loads of up to 15 kg. You can attach such a leash to the main line or cord using a knotless leash. Or simply tie it to the loop of the leash or swivel (if used) with an “improved clinch” knot.
Fluorocarbon leash for pike
Fishermen resort to using this kind of leashes in the most hopeless and stalemate situations, when the toothy predator is inactive and practically no bite occurs.
Naturally, in the process of biting and fishing, even a very thick and strong thread can break. But don’t be sad and give up on fishing. Let it be better to use fluorocarbon than a steel leader in the water column. If you set out to ensure the safety and camouflage of your equipment, then this is the ideal option for you. Most fishermen advise equipping the leash with jigs. They are effective, and they don’t cost you as much if you lose them.
Please note that when using long fluorocarbon (more than 400 mm), it is necessary to exclude the possibility of creating a long nodal connection between the cord and the braid. After all, at the moment of a power cast, there is a high probability of damaging one or more rings.
In this case, it is recommended to monitor the ratio of the power of the cord, its diameter and length. For example, for fishing on shell edges, take equipment 30 mm long and at least 0.3 mm thick.
Fluorocarbon knots
For each material you need to use certain types of nodes. Often on the packaging with fishing line there are written types of knots that are recommended to be fastened to achieve maximum strength.
In the process of tying a knot, fluorocarbon, like other materials, is recommended to be wetted to give the knots a more stable fastening:
- If you need to connect braid and fluorocarbon, you should use the Mahin Knot.
- If the fishing lines have different diameters, then the Albright knot is suitable. This assembly provides such a strong connection that such fasteners can be pulled through guide rings.
- The ideal connection between fluorocarbon and braid will be ensured by the Grinner knot. This knot is suitable if the difference between the diameters of the fishing lines is a difference of five units. The main task of the fisherman in the process of knitting this knot is to avoid kinks. After the node is ready, it is necessary to check the quality of the connection.
How to make a fluorocarbon leash with your own hands?
Due to the fact that many fishermen select leashes to match their gear, it is therefore difficult to find them on sale and many make them with their own hands:
- For these purposes, you will need a fluorocarbon fishing line, up to 0.5 mm in diameter; for small individuals, you can take a thinner fishing line;
- two swivels, with a breaking load that can withstand 11 kg, you need one simple one, one with a carabiner;
- tubes and pliers for crimping them;
- diamond file.
Preparing the leash:
- You need to prepare the tubes; the Elite Alliance company is very popular; they have a length of 1 cm. To make the gear compact, you can divide the tube in half and carefully clean it with a file so that there are no burrs.
- Now we take a tube and thread the end of the leash through it, and put on a swivel. Then the same end must be inserted into this tube 2 times. We get two loops, one has a swivel and its length is from 5 to 7 mm.
- The next stage is crimping the tube; the pressing force is determined by the purpose of the gear. You need to make several leashes and check their quality in a container of water. Once the optimal option has been selected, it is necessary to finally crimp the tube.
- After this, you need to measure the length of the leash from 35 to 50 cm. Now at the second end of the leash, thread it into a tube, fasten the swivel, and the whole process is the same, you just need to add another fastener.
- If you need a leash for girders, then instead of a swivel you need to attach a hook.
Such leashes, with a line diameter of 0.4 to 0.5 mm, can support a pike weighing up to 9 kg.
Fluorocarbon pike leash: advantages and disadvantages
When fishing for pike, a leash is needed to strengthen the fishing line around the spoon. In this zone, the fish can bite through a simple fishing line and go back to their habitat along with a spoon, which nowadays costs quite a bit. Previously, all sorts of cables and wires were used for this, which were clearly visible in the water and had a bad effect on the performance of the bait. Fluorocarbon leashes have made fishing more sensitive and effective. We have already discussed the advantages of the material above, now let's pay attention to its disadvantages.
The first thing that stops an unsophisticated angler when buying fluorocarbon is its cost. The material is quite difficult to produce, so its price is appropriate. The second drawback is that the material deteriorates with each bite. Typically, a fluorocarbon leash can withstand up to 20 bites. If you notice damage to the material, it must be replaced immediately. Savings in this case can result in an unfortunate gathering of trophy fish.
The best fluorocarbon leashes for pike, prices
The most popular and high-quality fishing lines are the following; they are ideal for making leashes for pike fishing. These are Salmo, For Max Specter, Hyper Clear Fluorocarbon, Daiwa, Krepton Team Fluorocarbon, Milo, Sunline Siglon FC.
Salmo
- This fluorocarbon is made in Japan, invisible, suitable for long periods in water.
- Due to its strength and invisibility, it is ideal for use as a main line and for making leaders.
- On sale there is a diameter from 0.08 to 0.2 mm, a skein length of 30 m, the cost is 320 rubles.
For Max Specter
- This line was made in Japan and costs 300 rubles per 25 m.
- There are various diameters on sale, it differs from analogues in its high rigidity, making it ideal for Gerdner connections.
- Can be used for feeder fishing and made leashes for pike.
Hyper Clear Fluorocarbon, Daiwa
- This line is of high quality, reliable, and with a small diameter of 0.4, it resists the sharp teeth of pike.
- The leash holds well, abrasion is weak, it is not used for pike with a diameter less than 0.4 mm, and can withstand breaking loads of up to 11 kg.
- The cost of 25 m of such thread reaches 320 rubles.
Krepton Team Fluorocarbon, Milo
- This product has the same performance as the previous fishing line, but it has a longer service life and is not as rigid.
- The cost of this thread is higher, since it is 50 m in a bobbin, the cost depends on the diameter, 0.10 mm costs 9 euros, 0.21 mm costs 12.5 euros.
Sunline Siglon FC
The cost of fishing line with a diameter of 0.14 mm is 260 rubles, in a skein of 30 m, if the reel is 50 m and the diameter of the fishing line is 0.38, then the price is 660 rubles. This fluorocarbon is of high quality, invisible in water, ideal for pike fishing.