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213 Posts
Hal,
I too used to use maxima ultragreen down to 4# for fishing the rivers around me in southern ontario, and for a long time this was the staple leader material. About 5 years ago I switched to using Siglon fluorocarbon and 2 years ago I switched again to the new Dai-Riki fluorocarbon. My diameter of line stayed the same, but I went from Maxima = 4lb to Siglon = 6lb, and now I primarily use Dai-Riki = 8.5lb and sometimes 11.5lb in dirtier water and exclusively when I am swinging flies, all without changing my knots. I use an improved clinch with approx. 5-6 turns, and sometimes a loop knot, and rarely if ever have my knots come loose. The only time I have found my knots to slip is when using the brand new RIO fluoroflex which requires a better holding knot as RIO has a higher fluorocarbon rating and "higher rating = smoother surface = increased knot slippage".
Anyway, the point of all this is stronger leader line used; more fish landed; more fish landed more quickly; and most importantly: way more fish hooked!!
Give the fluorocarbon another try as I'm sure it will increase your success, but be careful what you buy. There is a lot of crap on the market, but you certainly can't go wrong with Dai-Riki (the new stuff).
Mike
I too used to use maxima ultragreen down to 4# for fishing the rivers around me in southern ontario, and for a long time this was the staple leader material. About 5 years ago I switched to using Siglon fluorocarbon and 2 years ago I switched again to the new Dai-Riki fluorocarbon. My diameter of line stayed the same, but I went from Maxima = 4lb to Siglon = 6lb, and now I primarily use Dai-Riki = 8.5lb and sometimes 11.5lb in dirtier water and exclusively when I am swinging flies, all without changing my knots. I use an improved clinch with approx. 5-6 turns, and sometimes a loop knot, and rarely if ever have my knots come loose. The only time I have found my knots to slip is when using the brand new RIO fluoroflex which requires a better holding knot as RIO has a higher fluorocarbon rating and "higher rating = smoother surface = increased knot slippage".
Anyway, the point of all this is stronger leader line used; more fish landed; more fish landed more quickly; and most importantly: way more fish hooked!!
Give the fluorocarbon another try as I'm sure it will increase your success, but be careful what you buy. There is a lot of crap on the market, but you certainly can't go wrong with Dai-Riki (the new stuff).
Mike