The most complicated leaders have emerged in recent years. In order to make such leaders, one can no longer count all the necessary elements that would make THE difference. In the face of such technicality, often theoretical, simplicity has come back in force, or rather in rigidity.
At its simplest
Following the image of the simple sheathed braid leader presented in a previous article, we will make a fluorocarbon leader in the same way. To do this, we will use the knotless knot to attach the fluorocarbon to the hook and two loops to make both our hair and the leader attachment.
The advantages of fluorocarbon
A leader made entirely of fluorocarbon is very stiff. This has several advantages, namely to resist tangling when casting or dropping, but also when attacked by pests. With such an assembly, we are sure that it fishes at 100 %.
The positives don't stop there. Fluorocarbon offers a certain discretion thanks to a refractive index close to water. This does not mean that it is 100% invisible. Also, it does not absorb liquids or odors, which is a plus. The fluorocarbon hair construction, like the rest of the leader, allows the bait to stay away from the hook even when unwanted fish are active.
Thus, the hits of the latter are less. The disadvantage is the size of the loop which can cause the bait to burst if care is not taken. This difficulty increases with the use of large diameters and the formation of the knot without a knot becomes more complicated (passing through the eye of the hook). Up to diameter 40 no such problem.
The material needed to make a leader
- Starbaits Shadow 40 Carbon Fluoro
- Starbaits Curved Shank #6 hook
- A pair of scissors
- A SB Bait Stopper
- A knot puller
- A needle
Steps to make a fluorocarbon leader
1- Cut 40 cm of Shadow 40 fluorocarbon. Even if your leader will be 25 cm, you must have some excess to make the loops and the knot without knot.
2- Make a small loop. It will be the terminal part of your hair and will receive the bait stop. Remember to tighten it with the knot puller.
3- Start by baiting the chosen bait. Insert your bait stop in the loop and push your bait to the stop. This way, you will not be surprised when you are at the water's edge. The hair will be the right size.
4- Pass the end of your fluorocarbon through the outside of the eyelet. Set your bait so that there is a slight gap between the curve of your hook and the bait.
5- Once the bait is set, make the knot without a knot by turning your fluorocarbon in turns around the shank without ever crossing and then go back through the eyelet from the outside (if not set upside down). Make your turns up to the level of the tip of the hook.
6- Insert your anti-fisherman sleeve then make your loop to attach your leader to a quick swivel for example. Tighten it well with a knot puller.
In a future article, I will share with you a trick to bypass the fluorocarbon memory and thus be able to use a larger fluorocarbon without difficulty (knot and loop).
This all-fluorocarbon leader is quick to make and quite strong for many situations. It is best suited for luring dense or balanced baits. Given the advantages mentioned above, this leader is simple but not simplistic.
