leaders

[Red Childress]

Back home now with a sick kid...............

I will give you my opinion and the opinion from many other guides.....Most times the type of leader material will not matter. I think one of the main reasons fluoro is used is because of the non-damaging material when compared to wire. When the musky rolls up the line, the wire is more likely to cut the fish. From a stealthy standpoint, some guys have noticed an increase in their catches (in clear water) by using fluoro. When you get into the 130 and 200# category of fluoro, those thicknesses will take away from the action of smaller baits. What I am trying to say is, there is no single pound test that will work for all baits in all seasons. Matching the diameter to the size bait you are running will make a HUGE difference in the action of your bait. We have lost 1 BIG fish on 80# test fluoro but the fish landed on the leader after the 3rd jump, plus the drag was super tight.

For me, it is a confidence thing. If they all can catch fish but one is safer (and invisible) for the fish, why not just go with the fluoro?

You can make your own fluoro leaders for a fraction of the cost too. I use fluoro for trout and walleye in low water/sunny conditions. The 13lb.(and 9lb) walleye my client caught on the same day in 2000 was on fluoro in low water....

Hopefully, you get more feedback than just mine.