What is the best kind of fluorocarbon leader line to use for bass fishing?

Please Include:

Manufacturer

LB test

Color

Reasoning


Thank You

Frank T.

I prefer Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon on my bass rig, and it's usually 10 lb test. It's clear and fluoro pretty much disappears underwater, so it's great for finesse applications and on pressured fish. The pound test really depends on where you're fishing and what caliber of bass you're fishing for. For example, I fish fairly small Northern strain largemouth, so I use 10 lb test, but if you're somewhere that produces monster bass like Texas or Florida, you may want to go closer to 17 or even 20, and higher if you're fishing cover.

When using a fluoro leader it is important to remember that fluoro mainline is not the same as leader material. It cost me a number of fish before I figured this out. Since, I have been using the Cabela's brand leader(made by Seaguar) with good results. As far as color, the point of a fluoro leader is that it is clear and (supposedly) invisible to fish. Why would you use a fluoro leader in anything but clear?

Posted By Pegsguy on 20 Jun 2011 02:02 PM
When using a fluoro leader it is important to remember that fluoro mainline is not the same as leader material. It cost me a number of fish before I figured this out. Since, I have been using the Cabela's brand leader(made by Seaguar) with good results. As far as color, the point of a fluoro leader is that it is clear and (supposedly) invisible to fish. Why would you use a fluoro leader in anything but clear?

Pegsguy - I've not heard this before and have always used regular fluoro as a leader without any problems.  Could you give a little more info on this subject?  Thanks!

Actual floro leader material is generally more clear, more stiff, much stronger and more abrasion resistant. Can also prove to be harder to tie a knot with.

Clear flouro can provide a shine off reflection at the wrong light angle...A colored flouro reduces that shine off reflection.  I myself just use clear, but will not hesitate to use a colored line.

I've been using Berkley Vanish. It's not the same junk it was when it first came out. This stuff's been greatly improved and the price is right. As for lb. test, it depends on the lb. test of the braid I tie it to. Usually 8lb. flouro to 15lb. braid,10lb. flouro to 20lb. braid,and 12lb. flouro to 30lb. braid. Sometimes I wonder, whats the point in all the fuss? Several times I've been out fishin' and snag up and have to bust off my leader. Fishin' from shore without a boat to carry all that stuff, I just cut a few feet of mono off my spinnerbait rod. And you know what, it works just as good! With only a few feet of line, you don't notice more line stretch or less sensitivity.