Stupid Silly Question

[TwinPower]

is Leader material line really that much better then using normal line as a leader?

i have always been told leader material lines are much better and always paid the premium for the leader material lines.
but recently noticed leader material lines are much thicker then avg main line.

I mostly use Vanish FC leader 6 - 10lb, one dau i went shopping to buy another spool i noticed a Vanish 12lb FC having the same dia as 10lb Leader.

So I decided to buy the 12lb Vanish instead, 250yard over 50yd.
am I missing out big for not using leader line?
i was having soo many second thoughts,

So decided to test by joining both line together, did a 5-6 twist double uni knot then pulled..... happy to see the 12lb main line wins.
tested again with rapala knot same result.
well this really doesnt prove which is more durable when snaged and so on.
but i said to my self 10lb is still 10lb and cant beat 12lb in same brand/line.

for Pound to pound test yes i would go with leader material line 100%, but now if i had the choice over same diameter but higher pound why not.
and this was same for other brands, leader lines were always thicker in the same class.
can anyone tell me the most important thing i am missing out for not using leader line.

example:
if i had the option to use 20lb leader material over 25lb normal line, same thickness, is leader material still better option? (floating so no snag)

really sorry for the stupid Question.

[uh-0hh]

Hi Buddy,

From my experience leader line is more abrasion resistant and supple than spinning flouro. Some leader also have less stretch hence the price difference. If you have the money leader material is always the better option, however if you're on a tight budget there is nothing wrong with using spinning flouro.

Cheers

[matt jorg]

Be careful with spinning flouro as it is always softer than leader and due to this it it much weaker at the braid to flouro knot.
I've learnt the hard way

[bonyetty]

I have found that braid seems to cut into the main line fluro at the knot. I was trying different knots thinking I was just crap at tying knots for a while as the label on the spool of vanish had come off. I didn't know or care what I was using at the time, look the same so must be the same, marketing balony. When I finished the spool off I got the small leader spool of vanish as it fit better in my tackle bag and bingo bango no more flicking bust offs at the knot. I didn't do any proper testing, this is just what I found/think the difference between fluro leader and main line is. Pity as the price diff is bonkers.

Oh just an after thought. One lost nice lure and your budget is busted on the cheaper line.

[smackmaa]

Originally Posted by bonyetty

I have found that braid seems to cut into the main line fluro at the knot. I was trying different knots thinking I was just crap at tying knots for a while as the label on the spool of vanish had come off. I didn't know or care what I was using at the time, look the same so must be the same, marketing balony. When I finished the spool off I got the small leader spool of vanish as it fit better in my tackle bag and bingo bango no more flicking bust offs at the knot. I didn't do any proper testing, this is just what I found/think the difference between fluro leader and main line is. Pity as the price diff is bonkers.

Oh just an after thought. One lost nice lure and your budget is busted on the cheaper line.

I found the same thing.. I was actually using vanish spinning fluoro as leader and every so often I'd ping my lure during a cast. Switched to leader material and apart from one occasion (using an improved albright on a 4lb leader) i havent had it happen anymore.

I use FC rock and berkley sensei now.. just for the record.

[Paps]

Vanish is rubbish imo. Both their mainline and leader material, their main line crap is the weakest straight through i've ever used!

Oh and yes, they are different.

[crusty]

Its not a stupid question. Perfectly valid in my view.
I was thinking the other day if spinning flouro is OK to use straight through to the hook/lure - why isn't it Ok as a leader.
The reply below is the best logical answer to the question I have read.

Originally Posted by matt jorg

Be careful with spinning flouro as it is always softer than leader and due to this it it much weaker at the braid to flouro knot.
I've learnt the hard way

I have some Basic FC which I use as leaders and most of the time it is good. I have had the occasional lure pop on me and I had to experiment with different leader knots when I changed braid.

Crusty

[smackmaa]

Originally Posted by crusty

Its not a stupid question. Perfectly valid in my view.
I was thinking the other day if spinning flouro is OK to use straight through to the hook/lure - why isn't it Ok as a leader.
The reply below is the best logical answer to the question I have read.


I have some Basic FC which I use as leaders and most of the time it is good. I have had the occasional lure pop on me and I had to experiment with different leader knots when I changed braid.

Crusty

I dont use str8 thru fluro but I assume the knots fine at the lure, just the braid/leader knot is more of an issue with braid cutting thru