Which is better for leader/tippet material? I have used maxima for most of my time on the fly rod, but a buddy of mine says the 100% flourocarbon is the only way to go. I am not so sure, but a the difference in price, I would like some opinions before switching.
Tension on the line relieves tension on the mind.
fishon:
Last summer I was looking for leaders at a local Dick’s SG and they didn’t have what I wanted, so, I decided to purchase several spools of Berkley Vanish (flourocarbon) and tie my own. You can get nutsy with all the formulas, or just use the standard 60-20-20 and never buy another leader again.
Turnover is fantastic; better that any of the factory leaders I’vs used.
i use the berkely vanish exclusively…and it’s about three times less expensive than the ‘fly shop’ fluros
Flouro…all the way! It’s much cheaper to tie your own and the flourocarbon is more stealthy
(STEALTHY - is that even a word?..hehehehe)
[This message has been edited by dleo6446 (edited 05 February 2006).]
Is there any difference between the 27 yard spools of flourocarbon that the fly shops sell vs. a 200 yard spoil of flourcarbon for bait casting reels?
Fluorocarbon seems to sink faster than Maxima so it is a good choice for wets and nymphs.
I have used both types with good success. For a given strength rating Maxima is stiffer and seems more resistant to abrasion with better knot strength in my opinion.
Last year I started using Stroft leader material and I like it better than both of the above. You need to choose it based on diameter rather than breaking strength.
[url=http://www.uniproducts.com/english/fcs-prod.asp?no=38:722d8]http://www.uniproducts.com/english/fcs-prod.asp?no=38[/url:722d8]
fishon…
There is nothing wrong with the Maxima…
I use it myself… and for over 6 years…
Ive used tippets, flourocarbon, and many other different leaders and lines… BUT I keep going back to the Maxima…
Last summer I used Berkley for the first time. At first, I had problems with breakoffs. I discontined using the Berkley, but wanted the advantages fluorcarbon is said to offer. So from time to time I continued to try it out. Eventually, I found that by changing the knots I was using, I reduced the breakoffs to something comparable to Maxima.
Basically, this meant that I discontinued using the Perfection Loop with the Berkley. The Perfection loop is one of my favorites and I had used it for a tippet loop and even to tie on my flies. The surgeons loop worked better with fluorcarabon. For tying on the fly I settled on the Pritzen knot. It worked fine with the more limber fluorcarbon, and maybe fluorcarbon is better under selective conditions. I guess that is still open to debate, but I am under the impression it might be. To say the least, I’m convinced it isn’t more noticable to the fish. I’m am going to continue to use it.
Just wondering has anyone tried the Figure 8 knot with the Berkley???
Remember that Flourocarbon floats, so it’s not very good for dry fly fishing.
Ken
“The memory of a fisherman is more like fiction than journalism, that is, it doesn’t ignore the facts, but it is not entirely bound by them, either.”
John Gierach
Fishon, …
imho, … the best is the one you have confidence in. … I was given some $$ fluro material by a client to try.
I have been using Maxima 'since I started ff’ing. I guess I’m just used to it and have confidence in it. I have very rarely accidentaly broken off and I like the stiffness of the product.
Do I catch MORE fish on maxima than on fluro, … LOTS more, … because I fish with it 99% of the time.
I tied on some of the more $$ fluro and just couldn’t keep using it 'cause I didn’t have confidence in it, in the knot or it’s strength. (just my bad perceptions).
Fish on my homewaters are more leader shy than people believe, … but I keep using Maxima (brown).
Maybe this season I’ll try to get out of the rut and try some new materials.
Christopher Chin, Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/Forum1/HTML/015738.html:2928d]2006 FishIn Ste-Marguerite River[/url:2928d]
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:2928d]Fishing the Ste-Marguerite[/url:2928d]
I am new to this fine family of fly fishers. I would like to tie my own also, can anyone supply a formula for tied tapered leaders? Hinkts, Kinks or tricks of the trade? Any help is sincerely appreciated. Jonezee
FC seems to transfer energy better and I can get good turnover with a level leader of 8-14lb Berkey Vanish. You don’t need the highest strength/quality stuff for leaders since the tippet is the weakest point by far. I add a short 25lb butt section to make the loop to loop with the fly line.
I don’t see the need for complex formulas when wind, or just a slight change in flys seems to alter everything. I think its better to know how to adjust your casting stroke depending upon flys/conditions.
fishfranky, …
I can see where a level leader works just fine on heavier stuff. Lots of folks around here use level 25 lb test for atlantics and do just fine.
Imho, … the problem may come in when you want a really fine tippet, … say below 6 lb test … a level 2 lb tippet just won’t turn the fly over.
On leader shy sea run brookies, … I will sometime use light tippets on really bushy flies. I need a long stiff leader to get the fly to turn over, … then a sharp and dramatic taper down to the last 3 ft of finer material. Who knows, … maybe the fish just feels sorry for me and all the effort I put into tying up the leader that it just decides to give me a show 
Christopher Chin, Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/Forum1/HTML/015738.html:c1168]2006 FishIn Ste-Marguerite River[/url:c1168]
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:c1168]Fishing the Ste-Marguerite[/url:c1168]
[This message has been edited by fcch (edited 05 February 2006).]
If you have Microsoft Excel you can go to [url=http://www.globalflyfishers.com/:65519]http://www.globalflyfishers.com/[/url:65519] and search for LeaderCalc. It provides lots of information on tying different leaders.
You can also search this forum for “leader formula” and you will get a bunch of info.
Fish more, work less!
I always use Maxima (Butt and mid section)+ Fluoro (tip and tippet). Is a perfect combination for me. Jason Borger’s leader simple formula.
Rocketfish
Actually Maxima is a Company name not a product name. Maxima makes a variety of leader/tippet materials as well as mono line for spin/bait fishing.
Here on the East Coast of Canada the Maxima Chameleon is probably the most widely used leader material as it matches our “tea” coloured waters. Maxima also produces the Ultragreen and Perfexion line of leader materials as well as their new Fluorocarbon leader material.
Not exactly an answer to your question but rather a clarification of terms.
Regards,
Jamie
Oooops, … Thanx Jamie, …
On our waters, … so many of use use Maxima Chameleon that we refer to it by just that.
Our waters have that yellow tinge, so the brown works dandy here.
I always go back to Maxima and use both UltraGreen and Chameleon. It may not sink as well but it is tough as nails, ties strong knots, has just the right amount of stretch, and is not brittle. I have not found fish to be leader shy. They are presentation fly and I usually use a duncan loop or similar knot on some flies to add movement and lessen drag.
Randy Knapp
Thanks Rick B, yes I have excel. Appreciate your reply. Rich