Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: dennisK on September 21, 2020, 08:31:30 AM
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So i've been using seaguar blue label 10lb for two seasons now and the best I can describe it is inconsistent. I was out yesterday and lost a few coho. The break happened at the leader. Usually snapped when the fish did it's first or second jump. Ok so I adjusted the drag to even less (baitcaster) and it helped a bit but as soon as I switched over to 10lb maxima my landing success went up 90%. My instinct says that maxima is just more stretchy then seaguar...Perhaps I'm simply not a good enough fisherman to effectively use fluro...
Does anyone have similar experiences with seaguar blue label fluro leader - or am I the only one.
Thanks.
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If it's breaking at the knots I'd suggest trying out better knots. The blue label is fragile if you knots are bad.
knot to the main line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE3OXADeadw
It helps to also use stretchy mono main line. I use Blue Label, almost never fails me.
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Thanks. It was breaking about an inch below the knot actually. But you make a good point about mono for mainline giving you more flex. I use braid so perhaps that fluro/braid combo is not so good...
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If you are breaking consistatly below the knot instead of elsewhere then it is probably something to do with how you are tying it. If it was the line it would be breaking all over. Pinching the line with your fingernail will cause a knick in the line. Or maybe you are not wetting enough length of the line when synching it causing the line to friction burn.
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If you are breaking consistatly below the knot instead of elsewhere then it is probably something to do with how you are tying it. If it was the line it would be breaking all over. Pinching the line with your fingernail will cause a knick in the line. Or maybe you are not wetting enough length of the line when synching it causing the line to friction burn.
+1. do check out the vid on the knot I posted. It seems to me that weakening of the line happens when tying the knot as cross-eyed suggests
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I also seem to have a problem using Fluor carbon leaders. Never or very seldom have a knot fail when I use mono for a leader. But when it came to using Fluor carbon my knot has failed, particularly when playing a fish.
So have since stuck to using good old trilene clear for my leader material.
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Lube your knots when tying them. It’s very easy to “burn” fluorocarbon when tying it to swivels. This usually affects the first inch of line below the swivel. I use blue label all the time and have had zero issues ever when spitting on the knot before pulling tight.
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Thanks. It was breaking about an inch below the knot actually. But you make a good point about mono for mainline giving you more flex. I use braid so perhaps that fluro/braid combo is not so good...
If fishing in close or having a tight line right to your float, it’s easy enough to break a fish off on the strike. Fluorocarbon can’t take the quick sudden shock like mono can.
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Braid and Flouro are a bad mix without a shock line imo.
It could also be a bad spool of line.
Shouldnt be breaking off Coho with 10 lb. but you allready know that.
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If it's breaking at the knots I'd suggest trying out better knots. The blue label is fragile if you knots are bad.
knot to the main line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE3OXADeadw
It helps to also use stretchy mono main line. I use Blue Label, almost never fails me.
I've been tying this knot for a few years after being extremely frustrated with Flurocarbon and I absolutely fell back in love with flurocarbon. The only thing is when using braid and fluro, you really need to work with the drag. Theres definitely no horsing fish in thats for sure.
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If fishing in close or having a tight line right to your float, it’s easy enough to break a fish off on the strike. Fluorocarbon can’t take the quick sudden shock like mono can.
^^^ X2 ... Yup, esp. with braid mainline.
I too gave up on fluoro.
I honestly never noticed a different 'bite rate' using fluoro vs mono ..
but def noticed a better 'catch rate' due to the lower 'breakage rate'
when using ... good old Maxima UG
Saved a few $ too
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^^^ X2 ... Yup, esp. with braid mainline.
I too gave up on fluoro.
I honestly never noticed a different 'bite rate' using fluoro vs mono ..
but def noticed a better 'catch rate' due to the lower 'breakage rate'
when using ... good old Maxima UG
Saved a few $ too
Same here. I tried different brand of fluoro but they all break, some easier than others.
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Isn’t blue label for Stillwater? Yellow label Seaguar is the best leader I’ve ever used. Maxima UG is traaaaaash
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If it's breaking at the knots I'd suggest trying out better knots. The blue label is fragile if you knots are bad.
knot to the main line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE3OXADeadw
It helps to also use stretchy mono main line. I use Blue Label, almost never fails me.
note how the line is doubled. Just about any knot used to tie line to lure can be doubled. Anglers have been doing this for over 50 years. Same with many line to line knots. Doubling the knots should double the strength of the knot. Try it with an ordinary clinch knot. Down side is a bulkier knot.
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Ultra green is traaaash ?? It’s all I’ve ever used. Never ever had an issue. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
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@dennisk - what rod are you using. I find that if I use a rod that is rated quite heavy (e.g. Shimano Technium), there is a higher risk of breaking off lighter leader. I observed this fishing for springs in the summer where I found that 10 lb Seaguar would break easily if I'm not careful, while with 12 lb, I can really put the boots to the fish. On the other hand, with my Sage 2106 (which has a much lighter tip than the Technium), I can easily land 10+ lb coho on 8 lb flurocarbon.
I'm still leaning toward checking your knots, but the rod can be a factor.
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@dennisk - what rod are you using. I find that if I use a rod that is rated quite heavy (e.g. Shimano Technium), there is a higher risk of breaking off lighter leader. I observed this fishing for springs in the summer where I found that 10 lb Seaguar would break easily if I'm not careful, while with 12 lb, I can really put the boots to the fish. On the other hand, with my Sage 2106 (which has a much lighter tip than the Technium), I can easily land 10+ lb coho on 8 lb flurocarbon.
I'm still leaning toward checking your knots, but the rod can be a factor.
Hi
I'm using a med rod so that also adds to the factor for sure...I totally forgot about that aspect of the equation....But in retrospect i was fishing in a rocky shallow area so it's possible that also had something to do with the breakage. I still am going back to mono leaders/ All things being equal I think fluro does not suit my type of fishing... thanks
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easy solution is to step up your leader material. i dont understand the mentality of running such light leaders. 12 to 15 # flouro is the same diameter as 8 to 10 # mono.
i have that same 2106 and if you hook into a 10+ coho in current their is no way your putting on the brakes on 8lb leader. i do agree that rod choice makes a huge factor. meat stick = stronger leaders.
ultra green is great for a main line but not my first choice for leader material in a river. i do use it for leader material in the salt though but thats 25lb test.
all my drift rods run 20 # ultra green main. 15 # flouro leader for springs and steelhead. 12 # flouro leader for coho. 10 # flouro leader for bull trout and trout in a river setting.
spining rods 20 # braid and 15 # flouro or mono leader for salmon steelhead.
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Fought an 60 pound seal for 30 mins with 40 pound seaguar fluoro, worked great until my rod exploded into two pieces. The 40 pound ultra green main line snapped shortly after
kept on having breaks offs and saw off with 40 pound ultree green mono on big chinook, when i switched to fluror never had it happened again.
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You could google a San Diego Jam knot, unbeatable for flouro including large tuna etc.
Learned that on large tuna boats out of SAN Diego. Works for all scenarios.
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@dennisk - what rod are you using. I find that if I use a rod that is rated quite heavy (e.g. Shimano Technium), there is a higher risk of breaking off lighter leader. I observed this fishing for springs in the summer where I found that 10 lb Seaguar would break easily if I'm not careful, while with 12 lb, I can really put the boots to the fish. On the other hand, with my Sage 2106 (which has a much lighter tip than the Technium), I can easily land 10+ lb coho on 8 lb flurocarbon.
I'm still leaning toward checking your knots, but the rod can be a factor.
As stated above if your running 10 lb leader and your rod is rated 15-25lb you’ll break off everytime.
Stay within the rod specs and you’ll be fine.
Also if you leave your florocarbon leader in the sun, this will weaken it
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I have used Maxima Ultragreen for 40 yrs. The best by test. 8)
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Step up your leader material as others have said.
For river fishing I stay with Maxima UG. Low water steelheading, fluorocarbon.
Nobody wants to watch you fight a chum for 15 mins, worst yet on a paw and click.
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Maxima UG is traaaaaash
Smart people provide arguments for statements such as the above.
Care to elaborate?
FWIW, Maxima UG is slightly on the thicker side of the mono family, but by golly, it sure holds its rated test and then some!
I only wish it was cheaper.
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Ultragreen gets less bites and breaks way easier then yellow label seaguar. Literally seen fish spooked fish not touch the exact same bait in the exact same pocket when fished side by side with no other differences in the setup. I used to only use ultragreen and after switching to yellow label I will never, ever go back to UG for leaders. Literally every angler I know who fishes hard has made the same switch.
Sincerely, A person who actually river fishes every day.
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Actually I have been using 15 pound Yellow label all season so far I jave NOT had one leader break so far. I have total confidence. I landed a 25 pound spring the other day and I leaned right into that spring with zero issues. I will however change my leader line after fishing a few fish just incase. I have been tying that knot that doubles over on itself this year. Its a game changer. Ive also been hooking more than my Ultragreen friends.
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...so is the "Yellow Label" referred to the Seaguar Invizx
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...so is the "Yellow Label" referred to the Seaguar Invizx
My mistake. I called it yellow. I use the STS. Salmon Trout Steelhead line
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I can also advocate for seaguar STS. While fishing the somass this year for springs, I was using 12lb for leader. I fished the same leader the whole day, landing 4 springs, 2 of which were around the 15lb mark. The line was quite scuffed at the end of the day but it still held.
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Ultragreen gets less bites and breaks way easier then yellow label seaguar. Literally seen fish spooked fish not touch the exact same bait in the exact same pocket when fished side by side with no other differences in the setup. I used to only use ultragreen and after switching to yellow label I will never, ever go back to UG for leaders. Literally every angler I know who fishes hard has made the same switch.
Sincerely, A person who actually river fishes every day.
I fish hard, and use nothing but UG and get many fish. I have NEVER had UG break on fish unless I am having to use excessive force in the odd situation. I feel any line would do the same in those situations.
I use 15lb main and 10lb leaders exclusively for steelhead, 10lb main when spoon casting for coho which has proven to be very effective when incidental springs have been hooked. 5lb on my type 3-7 fly rods, 5lb on my chronie set ups, but will admit I use seaguar on the last 4 feet after the swivel.
If and when I float fish for coho I will use 8lb here and there if the water and traffic conditions dictate.
I am not saying your yellow label is inferior nor would I argue it is that much better that maximo UG should not be considered. Match your entire outfit to what you are doing and UG will stand the test, and will actually catch fish when others swear it will not.
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I fish hard, and use nothing but UG and get many fish. I have NEVER had UG break on fish unless I am having to use excessive force in the odd situation. Match your entire outfit to what you are doing and UG will stand the test, and will actually catch fish when others swear it will not.
X2