Berkeley Vanish as a leader

[LakeConjolaFish]

Hello All,

First of what a GREAT site, isn't this new age we live in with the internet and being able to discuss issues in real time fantastic!

Ok to my question I bought some Berkeley Vanish 2lb Flouro is this suitable as a leader? I was sold it by the tackle shop as THE leader material but I haven't seen anything about it in the forums.

I also bought some Gillies in 4lb that was a smaller spool of only 25m.

Thanks and a Happy New Year to all of you!:) :)


Jim

[Daniel_Folley]

hi conjola fish, i have a spool of 4lb vanish and it is the best leader i have used to date.i use it when fishing softplastics for bream.

[Dave W]

I'm starting to really loose faith in Berkley Vanish (the normal line) as a leader material - I've had a few knots fail with it lately (8lb) for no apparent reason, whereas the Siglon Flouro I use never seem to be a problem.

Could be just me though:D

Cheers,

[jm0771]

I agree with Dave on that one.I have had the the vanish(10lb) break before the fireline(4lb) when pulling on a snag,it seems to break off just before the fireline double(knot still attached).What are some of the knots you guys are using to join the two?

[hawkokm]

I agree with Dave as well. I have been using Vanish in 6, 14 & 20lb. for over 12 months now. I have had knots break when snugging the knot up tight using the bouble uni and slip out of albrights when snagged even after leaving a 2mm tag.
My main line was either 1kg. Platypus Game or 4lb. Fireline.
Its a bit distressing when 14lb Vanish breaks when tied to Ikg.

I find the Vanish to be very brittle an places. I also find I am tying knots more than once before I am happy with the result.

[Dave W]

Originally posted by jm0771
I agree with Dave on that one.I have had the the vanish(10lb) break before the fireline(4lb) when pulling on a snag,it seems to break off just before the fireline double(knot still attached).What are some of the knots you guys are using to join the two?

I use an Albright with a double in the Fireline, I've just done a couple of test knots...

2 out of 6 knots using Vanish failed on tightening (8lb)

None failed with the Siglon (7lb) (6 knots again)

All were tied in exactly the same way.

Guess I'll just have to use the Vanish as backing and do some more shopping:D

[Cheyne Jones]

I am really gunna hafta get rid of my vanish then because i have found the exact same thing as you guys when using 8lb as leader material.

When it gets snagged i find the leader breaks b4 the 6lb fireline, i have zero confidence in it now after hearing that other people are having troubles as well.

Anyone got any reccomendations for a new leader material, might try magnathin.

[LakeConjolaFish]

G'Day Cheyne,

Correct me if I'm wrong but 8lb mono is ALWAYS going to break before 6lb Fireline.

Cheers,

Jim

[Daniel_Folley]

i was using vanish 6lb for leader but i also had a few knots slip at first i thought it was my knot tying but after hearing everyone elses problems iam not too sure.but i have also been using stren magnathin and think it is good i have had no problems with it yet.

[Dave W]

Originally posted by Cheyne Jones

Anyone got any reccomendations for a new leader material, might try magnathin.

I love the Siglon Sinking Flourocarbon leader material - it's a bit more expensive but I've got confidence in it and thats what matters doesn't it;) :D

[Simmo]

Heya Folks,

Just being new to this type of fishing I let the Suposedly "Guru" in the tackle shop sell me some Vanish Leader material in 15lb and 8lb ($18.95per spool of like 40 & 50yds).
The interesting thing I found with it is the 15lb is easy to tie the knot between the Fireline and the Vanish using Geoff Wilson's Braid leader knot..but the 8lb WOAH...what a damm nightmare.

I have also noticed that one of its selling points is that its very abrasion resistant..but here, most of the fish I have been catching are flatty's and not big one's and they are tearing it apart.

Im not convinced that its the bee's knees at all.
I think Im gonna take a lesson off Dave and try the Siglon stuff and see how that goes.

Cheers
Simmo

[luringbream]

Isn't Fluorocarbon invisible underwater? Than why do you go down to a 2lb leader if you can stay comfortable around 6-10lb?
Does 2lb give better lure action or casting ability?

DAN

[peter bear]

flurocarbon is only partly invisble in some types of water i.e. dark, depends how much light can penertrate it plus veries with the depth you are working.:o

[LakeConjolaFish]

Why use 2lb?

Catch some large flatties on 2lb, release them to swim away and you'll understand why I use 2lb.

Thats just fishing for me thats all. Using 6-10lb line is just ughh to me.

Once I find a good 1lb line I will use that.

Cheers,

Jim

[Dave W]

Originally posted by luringbream
Isn't Fluorocarbon invisible underwater? Than why do you go down to a 2lb leader if you can stay comfortable around 6-10lb?
Does 2lb give better lure action or casting ability?

DAN

Not invisible.....
Florocarbon line supposedly has the same light transmitting properties as water, and is a similar specific gravity (should suspend naturally in the water) so theoretically it should be harder to see - the problem is we don't know how fishes eyes work, and I know I can see it in the water.

It's got a lot to do with line diameter as well... even if flourocarbon leader material is fairly invisible 2lb would still be harder to see than 6lb - and diameter has a lot to do with castability, the 'weight' of line being pulled off the spool is less for a given length, hence longer casts with thinner line, less air resistance etc.

Hope this helps:)

[Matt]

I am going to back the other guys up regarding Vanish. I jumped on the Vanish bandwagon early on and like Dave have become very disillusioned with it. Know strenght is not only abysmal but it can be a pain to tie in the first place, continually slipping requiring you start the knot again. Also like Dave I am currently using Siglon as my leader material:D

Cheers
Matt

[Geoff R]

If the Vanish is giving everyone trouble get on to Berkley about it, is it possible that it could be a bad batch? it might be worth a few freebies to you all.
I use 8lb Penn power line bought from Warren off this sight and it hasn't let me down yet. I have been catching the worlds supply of bream on hards and soft's, I can back that up too checkout my webpage.
Can anyone tell me if they don't recomend the Penn stuff.
Regards Geoff Paulic
groups.msn.com/ILOVELOOMISS/home.htm

[madsurfe]

I'll back Geoff on the Penn Powerline - I use it exclusively as my main leader material and it lasts as well as not breaking at the double uni to the Fireline. I 1st started with 8lb flourocarbon, can't remember the brand but the stuff just pings off - abrasion resistance was non existant. I have kept an eye out for the siglon but haven't found it at Campbells, Kmart, Complete Fisherman and a couple of places at Joondalup here in Perth.
So the Powerline is certainly good value and it will prove itself again and again when learning the art of Bream luring

[Bear]

Guys,
I've taken on Ira's advice about using a leader and have actually been using Fennwick Fly leader. Great stuff as well as being powerful and light.

Show you when we catch up.

[Newbass]

I Have siglon in 4 and 6lb and i have Vanish in 12lb.
I must be the only one that doesnt mind it cause when i caught a 47cm bream on the racks it actually wrapped it self around a oyster and a pole and i still got it in the boat.
But after saying that its Siglon for me.
Newbass

[Mick]

I think Dave has struck the nail of the head, the only thing that is going to make a line less visible is less line. The thinner the diameter the less visible it will be. I dont believe all the hype about Flourocarbons being invisible as I believe it is just all advertising.

Vanish is a good line fished right through to the jig head but as a leader I have found it to be sub standard. It has the worst knot strength of any line I have come across and as such all my spools of unused vanish have long since hit the rubbish bin. This is only my opinion but if you are looking for a leader material stay away from vanish. The actual vanish leader material sold on the small spools has a better knot strength, but is way over priced and too stiff.

As previously mentioned siglon make a number of good lines suitable for leaders as does Stren. Sure Catch, a name normally associated with lesser quality fishing items, produce a tournament line named "Sure Bite", it is a bit on the expensive side but it is an excellent soft low stretch line which is very well suited as a leader material for Bream, not cheap at about $40 for 300m but well worth it. Penn 10X is another good leader material and I use it for most of my rack work.

[Ravin]

I was mad on Vanish at one time but now I'm mad AT it. Knots are too dodgy with it I have found. About an hour ago I tossed all the Vanish I had in the bin :D Decision made.

[Simmo]

Heya Folks,

Well after having to tie the damm knot to the fireline 8 times tonight before it actually stuck...I just tossed all my vanish in the bin too!
It will be siglon for me also...I have used that stuff as fly leader material for years and should have just kept using it for my breaming..

Cheers
Simmo

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by Simmo
Heya Folks,

Well after having to tie the damm knot to the fireline 8 times tonight before it actually stuck...I just tossed all my vanish in the bin too!
It will be siglon for me also...I have used that stuff as fly leader material for years and should have just kept using it for my breaming..


Christ....I thought it was just me. I'd just bought a large spool of this Vanish stuff and thought it was my bad tying methods. :(

Time to file it in the circular filing cabinet. :)

Kevin

I've been using Platil Ghost in 6kg & 4kg, both have been performing well (Abrasion, Knot stength & suppleness).

With all the comments on Vanish I decided to try some 10lb, the first 4 turn uni knot slipped, I increased the turns to 6 and no more slipping. Destruction testing showed line breaking close to the knot, this worried me as I suspected my knot tying may be the cause, so I tied the same knot and varied the method of tightening the line (all knots tied used saliva). The line broke away from the knot, can't say at what weight as I don't have accurate scales.

I've been using Platil Ghost in 6kg & 4kg, both have been performing well (Abrasion, Knot stength & suppleness).

With all the comments on Vanish I decided to try some 10lb, the first 4 turn uni knot slipped, I increased the turns to 6 and no more slipping. Destruction testing showed line breaking close to the knot, this worried me as I suspected my knot tying may be the cause, so I tied the same knot and varied the method of tightening the line (all knots tied used saliva). The line broke away from the knot, can't say at what weight as I don't have accurate scales.

[LakeConjolaFish]

Hey you guy's get that vanish out'a the bin and post it to me!!!!

I'll pay the postage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



:) :)

Jim

[donfish]

Im with you Jim i will go you halves . I have not found a problem with vanish as yet ,Knot strength is excellent.

donfish

[LakeConjolaFish]

My hunch was right !! No-one took me up on my offer!!

I have never known a fisherman to THROW anything away !!!!!

Because it might be good later for this or that , hmm could be handy for that , maybe for............................etc.

:D :D :D :D :D :

[LakeConjolaFish]

My hunch was right !! No-one took me up on my offer!!

I have never known a fisherman to THROW anything away !!!!!

Because it might be good later for this or that , hmm could be handy for that , maybe for............................etc.

:D :D

[Ravin]

I didn't take you up on your offer cause I wouldn't expect anyone to use something I wouldn't use myself :D :D

[LakeConjolaFish]

Yeah I'd use it Raven, I spend around $200 or more a year on Vanish.


Jim

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by LakeConjolaFish
My hunch was right !! No-one took me up on my offer!!

I have never known a fisherman to THROW anything away !!!!!

Because it might be good later for this or that , hmm could be handy for that , maybe for............................etc.

:D :D

hahaha....exactly! I must admit, the spool is still sitting at the bottom of my tackle box. I can't bring myself to throw it away. It's better than nothing!! :)

Kevin

[kevinnugent59]

Originally posted by LakeConjolaFish
Yeah I'd use it Raven, I spend around $200 or more a year on Vanish.

Because it keeps breaking?? :D

Kevin

[GeeBee]

Siglon appears to be the most popular leader material, decide I should give it a try, can't find it at any of my local outlets, anyone know where it is available on the net.

Thanks Geoff.

[LakeConjolaFish]

Kevin,

It's a fact, isn't it, fisherman can't bear to part with any old bits of tackle no matter how decrepid.

Over the years I have looked through so many blokes tackle boxes and am NEVER amazed at the amount of crap that they carry around with them, just in case !!!

I'm no exception
:cool:

Jim

[LakeConjolaFish]

GeeBee,

Yeah, I too have had a hard time finding Siglon.


Jim

[LakeConjolaFish]

Actually I haven't been able to buy any yet.

[Heaney]

it looks like im going against the trend, but i have never had any problems with 6lb and 14lb vanish line as leader material, i have been stiched up numerous times in snags on bass, saratoga and bream and i have found no problems with abrasion resistance, maybe ive had a lucky run.