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Location: Northern Wisconsin | I have a few stealth 150 lb leaders that I got in 2010. They have caught a few fish but are in great shape , no knicks or anything. I replace the snaps regularly but should I replace the leaders? They seem fine but is there a way to tell when to replace flouro? I dont want to toss good leaders at $10 a piece. |
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| Fluoro does not biodegrade, it sticks around for hundreds of years, the sun does not really effect it either. I wondered if the knots were an issue, but I touched base with stealth not too long ago about 5 year old leaders I have never used and he felt they were fine. Just want to be careful about discarding fluoro, it does not go away, ever for the most part. BR |
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Posts: 265
Location: Manitowish Waters WI | I would defiantly look over the leader where your terminal ends are connected to the fluoro. both the swivel and snap can dig into the material after time. Cut and retie if needed. I tie and crimp my own leaders, I use Stren Hi Impact 130 and 150. I have noticed in year two no degradation of the fluoro. I ran my strength tests on them and they have the same results as day one. |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | Ok thanks, i'm going to keep them going. |
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Posts: 1270
| 2 years on a flouro leader? IMHO that's about 1-1/2 years to long to be using one. To many things can go wrong with a flouro leader to use them that long. As to the cost learn how to tie the knot and go buy a spool of flouro and a couple swivels and snaps for $20-$30 total and you have enough to make leaders for years and years. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | reelman - 8/11/2012 9:15 AM
2 years on a flouro leader? IMHO that's about 1-1/2 years to long to be using one. .
why? |
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Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | I agree w/ reelman. Why would you push it that long? You have no way to see the condition of the line within the knot or inside the crimp. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | cast10K - 8/11/2012 9:51 AM
I agree w/ reelman. Why would you push it that long? You have no way to see the condition of the line within the knot or inside the crimp.
based on what? |
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Posts: 58
| I make my own flouro leaders now because I got tired of paying so much for a single leader. My cost for each one is about 2.50 using the best components that I know of. I use what I call a loop knot, and a little super glue for reassurance. I'm still using one I made 2 years ago, and have caught multiple fish including a 47.5 and a 48.25 without any issues. I change out the stay lock snaps when they get worn, and check for slices and abrasions after catching a fish. |
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Posts: 323
| jonnysled - 8/11/2012 9:59 AM
cast10K - 8/11/2012 9:51 AM
I agree w/ reelman. Why would you push it that long? You have no way to see the condition of the line within the knot or inside the crimp.
based on what?
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | MuskyLureFreak - 8/11/2012 10:54 AM
jonnysled - 8/11/2012 9:59 AM
cast10K - 8/11/2012 9:51 AM
I agree w/ reelman. Why would you push it that long? You have no way to see the condition of the line within the knot or inside the crimp.
based on what? based on nothing.. most people on this SITE only have opinions and most of these opinions are base on just that opinions and not actually knowledge based on trying it out.. reelman is a cool guy but he don't use fluoro and his opinion is based on nothing..
Ibidah |
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Posts: 100
| I think you have all the basis covered here. Theoretically fluoro will last longer than you will live. In reality most people will regularly check their leaders and change them out if they seem frayed or damaged. The components on a leader will wear out before the line will, but I will swap out a leader when the components fail. If you want people to tell you that leaders will last multiple seasons some people will. If you want an experienced angler to tell you that you should use a leader for multiple seasons I doubt you will find anyone to agree with you.
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Posts: 1270
| jonnysled - 8/11/2012 9:23 AM
reelman - 8/11/2012 9:15 AM
2 years on a flouro leader? IMHO that's about 1-1/2 years to long to be using one. .
why?
It's just my opinion but I would not trust any knot or crimp for that long. I don't like flouro for musky leaders but I do use it for other uses and I've seen enough of them break from a little nick or at the crimp to not like them and to certainly not use one for two years. If you want to go right ahead but then don't complain when you loose a fish or a lure on one. Or when a fish dies because it has a lure suck in it's mouth after the leader breaks.
Like I said learn to tie the knot and then just make new leaders often using the same components. You can make them real cheap when you're not buying new snaps and swivels all the time. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | first 10 years have gone pretty well, i'll let you know in 10 more years if there are any problems ... |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | Maybe should have mentioned these have been used a couple weeks each year.
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | make sure the snaps are good and if they aren't frayed from rocks use em like they were new ... |
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| Honestly. Most people on here have $10,000 to $30,000 boats and were talking about replacing a $9 leader after 5 years. Why would you risk using a leader that old even if it looked good. I put a new leader on at opener and replace it mid year. And of course if one gets nicked it gets replaced. I'm ok spending $30 a year on leaders. |
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| Run your fingers down the leader snugly and feel it out....use good judgment! If you cant stomach trashing a $10 leader start makin em!! 95% of the guys in my club make them and was mentioned b4...about $2.50-3.00 a leader. At that cost i have no problems relpacing one in question. Make sure somebody that knows what their doing shows you!!!!
-Matt- |
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Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | jonnysled - 8/11/2012 9:59 AM
cast10K - 8/11/2012 9:51 AM
I agree w/ reelman. Why would you push it that long? You have no way to see the condition of the line within the knot or inside the crimp.
based on what?
Based on my lack of x-ray vision??? Maybe you use a different kind of crimp than I do, but I can't see through mine. |
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Posts: 791
Location: North Central IL USA | Guest - 8/11/2012 4:17 PM
Honestly. Most people on here have $10,000 to $30,000 boats and were talking about replacing a $9 leader after 5 years. Why would you risk using a leader that old even if it looked good. I put a new leader on at opener and replace it mid year. And of course if one gets nicked it gets replaced. I'm ok spending $30 a year on leaders.
Good point but who's paying 9 bucks for a leader?? I buy em for half that price. |
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Posts: 111
Location: Weyauwega Wi. | I would be the most worried about the cross lock. Any failures I've had have been the cross lock. Any time you have to pull it open to hook a bait on it stress' it out. over time IT WILL BREAK. |
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| i might loose a leader a yr fishing in lakes... maybe one or two more if i am really getting crazy in rivers throwing places i know there are snags... get a lure retrieiver and stop leaving pounder bulldogs and other junk in the water geez...
unless there is wear from the swivel on the floro and it looks good then its fine...
i just buy stealth anymore because i can get four of them and usually have them all yr... of course you can make your own, unless you are given them away to everyone you know or selling them it wont save you much tho |
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How often to replace flouro