STS Trout/Steelhead is available in strength ratings between 4 pound and 17 pound test, while STS Salmon runs from 20 pound to 50 pound test - both are available only in 100 yard leader wheels. If you like to use spinning reels, youll be quite impressed with this line. Overall, this makes Tatsu an excellent choice for tournament bass and walleye anglers who are experienced fluorocarbon users looking for a line to take their fishing to the next level. To Follow Or Unfollow? All lines have a balance of various characteristicsthat are good for someapplications and not forothers. It stays clear during use, and we have no issues with the coating being shed. Ive yanked bass over the cross braces of docks, through thick vegetation and over fallen trees and have yet to experience a line failure. Well also provide reviews of some of our favorites. Copyright StripersOnline, Inc. 1999-2022 In a perfect world, all fluorocarbon would have these characteristics, but thats simply not the case. Stryper Snyper PlasticBoat As we note above, its true advantage as main line is that its quite sensitive, especially when slack, and still as invisible as mono. Is this test definitive? I read through the report and found it very educational. It's easy! This line isunbelievablythin and more abrasion-resistant than most monofilament leaders,which is important when pulling fish out of reefs, thick brush, rocks,or dock pilings. It was specifically designed for shallow water inshore saltwaterfisheriesand excels at fishing in areas like grass flats, skinny water marshes, and surf fishing from the beach or jetties. Thats saying something! As with all 100 percent fluorocarbon products, InvizX is much less visible underwater than monofilament line and virtually invisible to fish. This leads to higher abrasion resistance thats useful in circumstances fishing around enormous structures. Take a look at this chart, for instance. The line offers remarkable impact strength and good abrasion resistance, boasting 30 percent better knot strength over leading competitors. Would love your thoughts, please comment. I am currently using three different types of fluorocarbon lines with varying degrees of suppleness, toughness, abrasion andshockresistance. danflytr UV resistance - Your gear spends a lot of time in the sun, and that UV exposure is punishing to nylon monofilament. I finally got my hands on some Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon and for the past few weeks, Ive spent a considerable amount of time testing it in a multitude of situations. Not as abrasion resistant as people suggest -PVDF is amazingly tough material, and given that fluorocarbon is a round monofilament, it can take some abuse, sliding over abrasive surfaces. She said "Fishing or Me". Whether youre a power or finesse angler, its combination of strength and limpness is beyond impressive. Fluorocarbon fishing line is more abrasion resistant than standard nylon monofilament of the same thickness. This is often given as a reason to switch to fluoro--but while true, its actual rate of descent is very, very slow. While most Seaguar mainlines are generally developed with freshwater use in mind, Seaguar's leader materials tend to focus more on specific saltwater applications. Red Label is made in the same high-tech manufacturing facilities and uses the same exclusive fluorocarbon resin blends as Seaguar's high-end products. In fact, when TackleTour tested Seaguars fluorocarbon in the real world, they found that it improved strike frequency with salmon, but that mono outperformed it on striped bass. Sensitivity - That high density also gives fluorocarbon better sensitivity than mono, and this characteristic is further enhanced by its relative stiffness. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Abrasion resistance is pretty average for this kind of line, as is sensitivity, but it casts well and remains clear (and holds its green color) very well. Overall, FluoroKote is impressive, but it lacks the sensitivity of the true fluoros. Fluorocarbon should be used any time stealth and a subtle presentation are needed or preferred. But it doesnt deserve this reputation. Gold Label is Seaguar's top-of-the-line, general purpose fluorocarbon leader material. Protect a reel from salt spray - makes sense or not. But after weeks of experimenting, I was wrong. Its knot strength is simply unbeatable. I also tend to use other line types when fishing really heavy cover where I expect my line to get nicked up., Deforms under load - The more a material stretches under load, the more elastic it is; how easily it then returns to its pre-load length is a question of plasticity.. Ill check out the premier tho. Our experience is that the good, pure fluorocarbons are more sensitive, which is the real strength of this type of line. Started 5 minutes ago, By With the exception of knotting, it performs identically, wet or dry. - The primary selling point of fluorocarbon is its supposed near-invisibility in water. Some brandslike theones sold for buildingfly leadersare thin and limp, buthave very littleif any abrasion resistance, knot strength orshockresistance. Red Label is also UV resistant, chemical resistant, non-absorbent, high-density, and impervious to cold conditions. This is because all of Seaguar's mainline fluorocarbons double as fluorocarbon leaders that can be tied on braided or monofilament mainlines. For lighter tacklefinesse presentation like drop shotting, finesse jigging, orforfinely tuned crank and jerkbaits presentations I think you will be surprised by Tatsu's overall performance. Instead, its a copolymer line coated with 100% fluorocarbon to take advantage of the water refracting qualities of this material. Fluoro Premier isavailablein 25 yard and 50 yard leader wheel/coils in strength ratings between 20 pound and 200 pound test. This notwithstanding, there are excellent fluorocarbon lines that rival nylon monofilament in knot strength. This is where it really stands out in our opinion. Just yesterday evening, I was fishing a jerkbait on 8-pound Tatsu on a rocky point; the fish were on it and they were biting. Please leave a comment below if you think weve missed something in determining the best fluorocarbon line or if our discussion has helped you fish more successfully. It resists backlashes exceptionally well when used on casting reels and behaves better than most monofilament lines when used on spinning reels. Its also very sensitive and easy to cast, making it an ideal choice for many anglers. Unfortunately, thats not really the whole story. The Seaguar series of fishing lines are made primarily of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) produced at Kurehas Iwaki Factory, and manufactured and sold by Kurehas group company Kureha Gohsen. Fluorocarbon has unique strengths, but it also presents a set of challenging problems as main line. Youll rarely find yourself manually stripping excess line after the cast, which allows for excellent efficiency and a hassle-free experience. Saltstrong then soaked the mono for 15 minutes and repeated the test with the same result. That said, unlike mono, it tends to retain that elongation, permanently deforming as a result. Heres what we look for in a good choice. The Riddler Theres no other way to put it. Which knots are best with fluoro? When you retrieve your lure, the line lays tightly on the spool and with each cast, the line leaves the spool smoothly and refuses to cinch down on itself. Blue label is barrel aged at least 16 yrs. Pink Label is nearly identical to Blue Label in design, function, and intended use, with one small difference: it has light pink color instead of clear translucence. I have tested the 8, 12, 15 and 20-pound Seaguar Tatsu with just about every technique imaginable whether its small finesse worms, jerkbaits, crankbaits, Texas rigs or jigs. It sinks faster than traditional monofilament, making fluoro great for nymph fishing because it will help your flies drop quickly through the water column. I know this has been asked before but I couldnt find the thread. Vanishs knot strength is average, too--roughly middle of the pack when tied properly. Bobby Lane, 2008 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, Elite Series champion and six-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, has this to say: If fluorocarbon has any disadvantages, it's that it sinks and may not be as abrasion-resistant as monofilament. Whichever option you choose, if you follow our recommendations, youll find that fluoro gets the job done and then some! Copyright 2022 Bosa Travelers Blog. Its not terribly abrasion resistant, and if this worries you, P-Line Fluorocarbon or Sunline Super FC Sniper might be better options for you. It knots poorly, too. In fact, Vanish is an excellent fluorocarbon, and its surprisingly abrasion resistant. Seaguar Invizx has won a lot of anglers to its side, and just a few casts and knots will explain why. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Here's a quick glance of the best fluorocarbon fishing line on the market today: Related: Best Fishing Line, Best Monofilament Fishing Line, Best Braided Fishing Line. Baits rigged on Seaguar Gold Label will swim more naturally, triggering more bites and helping you put more fish in the box than ever before. Out of habit, Ill check my line after each fish catch and very rarely do I find a rough spot. You need to register here in order to participate. All told, Blue Label is an excellent all around choice for saltwater fishing fluorocarbon leader material. Essentially, light is bent and slowed by fluoro much like it is in water, and the idea is that this makes it very hard to see. Seaguar is the oldest and one of the most respectedmanufacturersof fluorocarbon fishing line in the tackle industry. speedwell All fluorocarbon line is certainly not created equal. In all situations, I couldnt be happier with its performance. We appreciate that diversity, and we know you will, too. Tatsu (which translates to dragon in Japanese) is Seaguar's top-of-the-line fluorocarbon mainline. Thats a huge mark in its favor! Casts poorly - Fluoros stiffness is not helpful here, either, and it generally casts worse than both mono and braid. Essentially a type of thermoplastic, its both harder and denser than nylon. This fast-sinking line also gets your presentation in the strike zone more quickly, and with a lower refractive index than monofilament, it is significantly less visible underwater - which is important in the often gin clear runs these fish reside in. onthefly P-Line Flurorcarbon is an excellent choice, offering a great alternative to our top choice. Gold Label is available in 25 yard leader wheels in strength ratings between 2 pound and 80 pound test. Tatsu can be purchased in both 200 yard filler spoolsand 1000 yard bulk spoolsinstrength ratings ranging from 6 pound to 25 pound test. Ive gotten in the habit of using line conditioner on most of my reels, but the limpness and manageability of Tatsu makes it unnecessary. Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Line for Spinning Reels in 2019 P-Line CFX Fluorocarbon Leader Material 27 YD Spool Seaguar Fluoro Premier 25 Yards Fluorocarbon Leader Seaguar Red Label 100% Fluorocarbon 200 Yard Fishing Line Seaguar Invizx 100% Fluorocarbon 1000 Yard Fishing Line. JavaScript is disabled. Fluorocarbon has some unique strengths as main line, but its not ideal for every situation. It was designed with saltwater fishing in mind, but is used by some freshwater anglers who desire an especially tough yet supple fluorocarbon leader as well. Fluorocarbon is quite elastic, but not very plastic. In fact, its easily on par with the best nylon monofilaments, essentially negating a major criticism of fluoro. JerseyJeb Flouro [sic] is a brilliant material for a number of reasons, but assuming that it is invisible is a recipe for disaster.. As Berkley says, fluorocarbon actually stretches more than nylon mono. Its just incredible on this front, easily outstripping its competition. Ive purposely tested it on spinning reels in high winds and I have yet to experience a single wind knot while using it. High-quality fluorocarbon lines are multi-layered affairs, with a strong core to improve strength. Thanks! Fluorocarbon line works best for subsurface reaction baits like crankbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits, as well as stealthy, finesse techniques like spybaiting or drop shot. And dont take our word for it. Started December 17, 2013, By Virtually invisible and invincible, Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon is at the apex of fluorocarbon evolution, and Seaguar's strongest and softest in their mainline catalog. As a result, fluoro makes a fine choice for situations where controlled stretch is helpful, whether as a mainline or a leader in conjunction with low-stretch superline., Rapala disagrees slightly, reaffirming the idea that brands matter. And its not available in heavy weights, so this is a limiting factor in saltwater. Additionally, USAngler.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. In use, Sunlines FC Sniper shows great abrasion resistance and excellent sensitivity. Once regarded as only a line that fishing experts should use because of its difficulty to spool and manage, especially on spinning reels, today's Seaguar fluorocarbon mainlines are incredibly supple, easy-to-use, and manage, even for newer anglers. All three get bit, just price difference IMO. Ive tested just about every fluorocarbon fishing line on the market and through the years, Ive become pretty darn picky about it. Dont let this lines sexy feel fool you; its some stout stuff. When using a Palomar knot tied well, Trilenes 100% Fluorocarbon exhibits incredible knot strength. Various brands stretch more or less, but generally speaking, fluorocarbon stretches more than mono, but it takes more load to force it to give in the first place. An easy test of this property recommends that you dip clear fluorocarbon and mono of the same diameter in a glass of water; when compared side-by-side, the fluoro is generally the less visible. Fluoro Premier is excellent as shock leader for trolling saltwater lures and open water jigging. Originally developed for saltwater usage, it quickly gained popularity among freshwater anglers and was subsequently released in expanded line of lower pound tests, going all the way down to 2 pound. As a result, good fluorocarbon needs to be sensitive and knot well, since its going to be doing the work of both braid and nylon monofilament. Both filler and bulk spools of Red Label are available in strength ratings between 4 pound and 20 pound test. I would agree that Tatsu is not as abrasion or shock resistantas some fluorocarbons. If there is a fluorocarbon linethat has it all I have yet to find it. That said, using a line conditioner like theKVD Line & Lure Line Conditioner can do wonders to reduce stiffness and make the line easier to manage and cast. Theyre also usually coated to improve abrasion resistance, improving their handling and casting performance, too. It also has very low memory which facilitates increased knot and tensile strength. Fluorocarbon mainlines have come a long way since they were first released. It remains clear during use, neither fading to white nor shedding its coating. Because its basic material is hard, it doesnt bite well on itself, leading to both difficulty tying and poor knot strength. This means it can not be effectively used on spinning reels and works best on baitcasters. When I first started using it, I couldnt get over its softness and manageability but in the back of my mind, I was seriously questioning its durability. AbrazX is a good mainline choice for intermediate to advanced angler fishing around abrasive cover. I figured if Seaguar could make a line so soft, there had to be some sort of sacrifice made in regards to durability. Started 2 hours ago, By Weights: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25. Besides, most fluorocarbon lines have thinner diameters than monolines with equal breaking strength. In theory, this makes fluorocarbon--diameter for diameter--more abrasion resistant than standard mono. Whatever Trilene is doing to this fluorocarbon is working! That said, a properly-tied Palomar should deliver most of the lines tensile rated test before giving. Started Sunday at 02:06 PM, By KastKings FluoroKote, as its name suggests, isnt pure PVDF. We recommend that you stick to casting reels with this line. To help you decide if fluorocarbon is for you, well discuss fluorocarbon in depth, assess its utility, and recommend the situations in which we think it shines. InvizX is also UV resistant, chemical resistant, non-absorbent, high-density, and impervious to cold conditions. Youll drop a pretty penny on this line, but if you can swing it, I totally recommend trying Seaguar Tatsu. Its also better than most fluorocarbons in terms of knot strength, but still trailing Invisx. In short, this is an excellent alternative to our top choice. InvizX is Seaguar's most popular fluorocarbon mainline. No, but its food for thought, isnt it? Seaguar Inshore is one ofSeaguar's newer saltwater fluorocarbon offerings. Started Tuesday at 05:27 AM, By Starting at $39.99 per 200-yard spool, Seaguar Tatsu is not in everyones price range. Dont take our word for it: in SaltStrongs testing, it outperformed the much more expensive Seaguar Blue Label in abrasion resistance. With all of that being said, however, you pay a premium for these advantages. Weights: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. Releasing the first mass market fluorocarbon fishing line to consumers in 1971, no legitimate conversation about fluorocarbon line for fishing begins without the mention of Seaguar and its parent company, industrial materials manufacturer Kureha. This means that while having the line invisible all of the time might seem like a good idea, using this stuff when flipping jigs into timber would be likened to swatting flies with a Scud missile. I've used the red ,blue ,and new pink label with success. It casts really, really well as a result. Hard to tie and low knot strength - If fluorocarbon has an Achilles heel, its knotting. #6 P-Line Floroclear Clear Fishing Line (Filler Spool). a. The next stepup in terms of both quality and price point is AbrazX. Where Invizx shines is handling and knot strength. Started 20 minutes ago, By That Is The Question To Ask. A lot of people are absolutely crazy about it, so I had to see for myself what the hype was all about. Its high memory and inclination to twist will create problems on spinning tackle. As Mark Romanack of Precision Trolling explains, the sink rate of fluorocarbon is so modest that it has next to zero impact on how deep a crankbait or other piece of trolling gear will dive.. Report post. Today, BD has grown into the leading digital media platform for all things saltwater fishing, bringing our large and passionate community the best and most authentic fishing information in the form of fishing reports, fishing gear reviews, fishing recipes, saltwater fishing articles, tackle tips and more from coast to coast. Because it resists UV degradation, itll hang around for a long, long time. Fluorocarbon is a monofilament composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Waterproof - Fluorocarbon is completely waterproof. thanks for the info. I broke the bills off of two jerkbaits and caught approximately 12 fish without any line failure whatsoever. It is designed to have the greatest abrasion resistance possible, all while being stealthy and easy to manage given its incredible strength ratings. The difference is, it takes a greater force to get fluoro stretching in the first place. Fluorocarbon is stiff and, because it doesnt have as much stretch and is slicker than monofilament, knot strength can be an issue. Fluorocarbon is a lot harder than monofilament in the short term. Indeed, its manufacturers and fans suggest that its low refractive index means that its nearly invisible to fish. #1 Seaguar Blue Label 100% Fluorocarbon Leader. I have tried a number of small diameter, supposedly limpfluorocarbons for finesse Fluro/Braidpresentations and many of them were eithertoo thick and stiff, orlacking in the knot strength, andshock resistance departments. And when it stretches under load, it can permanently deform, weakening the line further. Cost - Fluoro is expensive to manufacture, and that cost is passed down to consumers. It is slightly less stealthy than InvizX, but more than makes up for that shortcoming with unmatched strength in abrasive conditions. The fact that the big plastic bills of my jerkbaits were snapping off and my .235-millimeter Tatsu Fluorocarbon held up without a problem was hugely impressive to me. Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon Line is available at the following retailers. Ive used it to flip and pitch underneath docks and it comes off the spool effortlessly without annoying loops and snags. Just curious, is the difference between Premier and Blue Label just the diameter or is it a different blend? Weights: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25, 30. Indeed, if the poor abrasion resistance of Seaguar Invisx troubles you, this might be the option you look to. As a result, it became something of a whipping boy in the online fishing community. And it also features excellent abrasion resistance, making this a well-rounded choice for the budget-conscious. If this line has a weakness, its poor abrasion resistance. It also gives this line very low memory, and wed even think about running it on a spinning reel as a result. Since 1931. Fluoro Premier is less about abrasion resistance and more about optimal lure action and ability to withstand high impact hook sets when trolling for big game saltwater species. When hes not out on the water, you can find him reading his favorite books, and spending time with his family. These Tips Will Help You In Getting Followers On Instagram, How to Gain More Followers on Facebook And Twitter, TOP 5 TIPS TO STAY FASHIONABLE WITHIN BUDGET. Designed with tournament bass fishing anglers in mind, Tatsu is some of the highest performing freshwater fluorocarbon mainline ever created. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. But when you finally run across a quality fluorocarbon, it will change the way you fish-thats no exaggeration. Available in Japan for quite some time before it officially hit North American shores, Seaguar Tatsu fishing line combines two 100 percent fluorocarbon custom resins using Seaguar's exclusive double structure fluorocarbon (DSF) technology.So, in addition to unbeatable strength to diameter ratio, this manufacturing process creates a line that is super-sensitive, stealthy, and supple. Blue Label isSeaguar'smost popular leader material. It can be used on both baitcasting and spinning reels and is rated for both freshwater and saltwater fisheries. Careful testing hasnt verified this supposed abrasion resistance, either. Trilenes 100% Fluorocarbon is made from a proprietary mix of PVDF, and according to Berkley, this imparts optimal impact strength. We like this line a lot, as its knot strength is excellent, and if youre willing to trade a touch of sensitivity for landing more fish--and really, you should be!--this is a hard choice to beat. Produced in a huge range of weights, Vanish can find a place in your tackle box whether you fish crappie or tuna. You are using an out of date browser. This genuine 100 percent fluorocarbon leader material delivers incredible abrasion resistance and maximum impact and knot strength, all with a smaller line diameter than monofilament. I'll miss the old girl! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Pink Label is available in 25 yard leader wheels and coils in strengths ranging between 15 pound and 130 pound test. Castability and sensitivity are excellent as well, and we have no complaints in either department. Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines Reviewed: Using Fluorocarbon as a Main Line, What We Consider When Choosing The Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Line, When We Like to Use Fluorocarbon as a Main Line, fluorocarbon--diameter for diameter--more abrasion resistant than standard mono, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. Strength While both are strong and will withstand the lb test listed, leader and tippet are stronger over shorter lengths and are not designed to be a long, main line product. But fluoro isnt necessarily tougher than nylon mono, and manufacturers dont say that it is. Its high tensile strength also means that the leader won't fail when put under extreme stress, like a powerful hookset into a bony mouth, or a boatside battle with a hard fighting predator. Kureha Gohsen Started Sunday at 11:11 PM, By AbrazX is available in 200 yard filler spools and 1000 yard bulk spools in strength ratings ranging from 4 pound to 25 pound test. As a result, it wont change its handling characteristics or weaken when wet. By Nylon fishing line can be affected by the suns strong ultraviolet rays, while fluorocarbon is almost completely impervious to the suns UV rays. Here is a link that has a lot of good info about Seaguar Floro: thanks Derek I usually use the blue label. Low-stretch? Same diameters for each pound test and same tensile and knot strength. Being able to use a thinner line with the same strength capabilities also contributes to a stealthier presentations and improved action of your bait or lure. Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon is one of the softest and most manageable fluorocarbon lines youll find on the market. It was developed with help from muskie fishing legend Pete Maina and is intended to be a stealthier alternative to metal wire leaders required for chasing these toothy species. Overall, the biggest draw back of Red Label is that is not as supple as other fluorocarbon lines and can be a bit stiff at first. Thats roughly on par with the best of nylon monofilaments, and a leap above most of its competitors. What is the best fluorocarbon line on the market? Youll notice that you cant tell the fluoro and mono apart in real conditions: Its also worth noting that scientists insist that fluoro is NOT nearly invisible in water. Fluorocarbon is about the same diameter as nylon with the same break-strength. Seaguar must be doing some real magic behind the scenes, because this is better than even the best nylon monofilaments! http://www.charkbait.com/cs/cshL_Seaguar.htm, http://www.tackletrader.com/article/2007/FLuorocarbon1.htm. Ive already bought most of my leader(blue label) and this made me feel that I made a good choice. - As fluoro fishermen know, the line stretches under load. Anglers switch to fluorocarbon when they need the sensitivity of braid in a low-vis situation, especially when they dont trust leader to mainline knot strength. But with such an impressive and diverse line-up, sometimes even experienced anglers can have difficulty figuring out which line is best for them. Community Software by Invision Power Services, Inc. On 8/21/2017 at 0:32 PM, bunnymoney said: Navigating the different Seaguar Fluorocarbons, Front of the class in internet expert school.