Getting around the drawbacks of fluorocarbon
Rigidity is one of the major advantages of fluorocarbon. However, this advantage also turns out to be a disadvantage in its use. Indeed, the stiffness of this material, and even the large diameters (sometimes necessary), make it difficult to make even simple knots like the knotless knot. In addition, the memory of the knot is very important, which makes the whole design unattractive. However, it is very easy to get around these three disadvantages (stiffness, memory and diameter in some cases) with a simple trick.
A well known trick for lure fishermen
Experienced lure fishermen have known this trick for years. It consists in making a loop by making a simple knot through which you pass the fluorocarbon. Once passed, the excess is burned with a lighter to form a flat mushroom. The latter will come to rest on the knot made and tightened beforehand. The result is a loop with degrees of freedom that prevents almost any memory. Moreover, it replaces the knots in order to make the most technical leaders.
A trick to serve technicality
Depending on the use, it is possible to adjust the size of this loop. Thus, the most technical leaders can be made of fluorocarbon without any difficulty. Memory, large diameters or rigidity will no longer be an obstacle.
A significant resistance
When they see such a knot, many fishermen doubt its strength. They think it is very fragile. This is not the case. Test it at home by pulling with a sinker and you will see that its linear strength is very good. I have caught many big fish in all biotopes.
As a fluorocarbon model, I have been using the Shadow from Starbaits for many years. I have never been disappointed! The must have!
However, when making the mushroom, it is important to keep the flame at a distance to keep the fluorocarbon as transparent as possible. Otherwise the mushroom will tend to blacken and lose its strength.
The steps of realization
1- Make a simple knot with the fluorocarbon.
2- Pull the excess through the center of the knot to form a loop.
3- Adjust the size of the loop (cut off some excess if necessary) and burn the end to make a mushroom by pressing with the lighter (the fluorocarbon must always be hot).
4- Tighten the assembly so that the single knot prevents the mushroom from coming out.
This simple trick will allow you to make technical fluorocarbon leaders bypassing all the disadvantages mentioned above, without difficulty and without losing strength if the process is well done.
This tip has basically the same function as a leadcore splice. Thus, this knot will be able to be attached to the eye of a hook, to a swivel, to a universal clip, to ringsâeuros¦ (to be put before passing through the knot and making the mushroom).
You will never see fluorocarbon again.
