Berkeley Vanish as a leader

LakeConjolaFish · #1 30-12-2002, 09:07 PM

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 · #2 30-12-2002, 09:58 PM

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 · #3 31-12-2002, 02:12 AM

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

Cheers,

jm0771 · #4 31-12-2002, 03:38 AM

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 · #5 31-12-2002, 05:15 AM

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 · #6 31-12-2002, 09:55 PM

Quote:

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

Cheyne Jones · #7 02-01-2003, 02:26 AM

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 · #8 02-01-2003, 04:41 AM

G'Day Cheyne,

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

Cheers,

Jim

Daniel_Folley · #9 02-01-2003, 04:54 AM

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 · #10 02-01-2003, 04:59 AM

Quote:

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

Simmo · #11 02-01-2003, 06:11 AM

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 · #12 02-01-2003, 06:36 AM

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 · #13 02-01-2003, 07:01 AM

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.

LakeConjolaFish · #14 02-01-2003, 07:05 AM

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 · #15 02-01-2003, 07:08 AM

Quote:

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