Striking Gold : Seaguar's Fluorocarbon Leader for Enthusiasts (continued)

The magic diameter to test was as close to 0.440mm I could find with any given fluorocarbon, nylon monofilament, or copolymer line product. This is the diameter of 30lb Sunline Super Natural - the leader material I was using during those afore mentioned break offs. I've been using 30lb Super Natural as my leader material for big baits with great success for the better part of a year, so it was a natural default baseline for comparison. In an effort to normalize the data further, I divided the cross sectional area of the lines at their measured, average diameters by the break load (converted to kilograms) hoping for a more apples to apples number to compare (load/dia). Again, this was done mostly for my peace of mind, so don't put too much stock in my methods or math. The following table breaks down Gold Label's performance as compared to the average of fifteen (15) products at a similar diameter. I also listed the results from some of the more popular lines as a further point of comparison.

I encourage your own interpretation of these numbers and whether or not they are useful to you. However what they tell me, or really, simply verify in plain view, is not all line strength ratings are created equal and line diameter versus strength ratings vary even more as you move up in strength. Seaguar's Gold Label FC Leader is consistently thinner per strength rating than other leader and main line materials and also performed the best in my crude, rudimentary drop test.

Night fishing with rat baits and 20lb Gold Label

What this exercise also demonstrated for me is that fluorocarbon, if used as a leader material, can be a reliable line with which to throw big baits. See, way back at the beginning of my big bait journey roughly fifteen years ago, I was testing a new swimbait. It was a resin bait probably weighing around 5 ounces with a retail price tag of $150. My reel was spooled with a high end fluorocarbon at twenty pound test. During my very first cast with this bait, using a Megabass rod, there was a very loud "POW!" when I let the lure go. My heart immediately sunk as I thought the rod snapped. Turns out something went wrong with the reel - either a backlash, or the reel accidentally re-engaged. Whatever happened, the line stopped and my knot broke from the impact of the cast. When I looked up to check out the condition of my rod, I could see my lure flying off into the distance. Of course the bait was a slow sink, so there was zero hope of recovery. The relief of knowing my rod was fine quickly returned to dismay knowing I was down a brand new, $150 bait.

Pulled out from under an overhanging tree using 20lb

That was the last time I used fluorocarbon with a hardbodied big bait. At the time, I chalked that experience up to the inherent, poor knot strength of fluorocarbon lines. What I've come to realize after all these years is #1 the line I was using was too thin in diameter, and #2, fluorocarbon was the wrong choice not because of poor knot strength, but because it is much more difficult to tame as a mainline. The backlash was inevitable. This is why Shimano's DC reels have settings for different types of line with the most restrictive setting (most brake force) applied to fluorocarbon. Used as a leader material, these difficulties are mitigated and fluorocarbon, as demonstrated by my drop test, and depending on the product, fares no worse or better than nylon monofilament or a copolymer. However, what you gain by using fluorocarbon is better resistance to abrasion and a better light refraction index.

A DreamSmasher fish thanks to 25lb Gold Label

Real World Tests: Bolstered by Gold Label's performance in the lab, I was quite anxious to get this material installed on a few of my reels and see if it was equally as impressive out on the water. I used Seaguar's Gold Label leader in the traditional manner tied to the end of my braided line but also as top shot material inserted into Seaguar's own hollow braid product. Some of the reel, mainline, and leader combinations I used are broken out in the following table.