Here’s what you need to make some heavy duty fluorocarbon leaders:


You need some fluorocarbon leader material. I used 200lb test Seaguar Fluoro Premier Big Game leader material.


A swager



Double barrel crimping sleeves



Ball bearing swivels



# 5 Stay-lok snaps.


Stainless steel thimbles


Pliers, super glue, and a lighter




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Thimbles come open so that you can fit your terminal gear inside them. Put the swivel ring into the thimble and close it with pliers



If you don’t squeeze the thimble closed, it will nick the leader material, plus you won’t be able to form a nice secure end loop.




Cut the fluorocarbon to your preferred length but add ~ 2 inches extra for the end loops. Thread the fluoro through the double sleeve, around the thimble and swivel ring, and back through the sleeve. Use the smallest size sleeve that will fit. Heat the tag end of the fluoro with a lighter till it melts and forms a mushroom head shape. This will help secure the line within the sleeve and keep it from slipping out.


Pull the fluoro till its snug against the thimble, and the tag end is against the sleeve. Put a drop of super glue into the sleeve for extra insurance.



When swaging the sleeve use the correct size jaw and place the sleeve like this:



Also don’t swage the entire sleeve, leave about 1mm on each end un-swaged. The end of the sleeve should flare out a bit, and this keeps the sleeve from cutting the leader.



I swaged the sleeves twice, the second time near the thimble so that it draws the loop snug.


This is how the finished loop looks



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Repeat the above steps for the other end of the leader, but put nothing into the thimble. The Stay-lok snaps fit through the thimble and can be left off till the sleeve is swaged. The snaps can be easily changed as they wear out.



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Here’s the finished leader