Flurocarbon Review

I’ve been lucky enough to have been sponsored by K-Labs during the 30 day challenge. They have sent me a range of Asso 100% flurocarbon leader to use.The flurocarbon is supplied on 50 yard spools, and comes in a wide range of line strengths, I have been supplied with spools of 15lb, 20lb, 25lb, 30lb, 40lb, 50lb, 60lb, 80lb, and 100lb. I’ll need to do wide variety of fishing to get through them all that’s for sure.

I normally use a 15lb or 20lb for my softbaiting and I must say that the first thing I notice about the 15lb Asso flurocarbon is how much softer or supple it feels, flurocarbon is normally much stiffer than regular mono of the same diameter/strength but not so the Asso 100% flurocarbon.

About Flurocarbon from K-Labs:

Fluorocarbon is a polymer that’s nearly invisible in water because it has an almost identical refractive index (an indication of the degree at which light refracts or bends as it passes through a substance). It is inert, so it resists deterioration by sunlight, gasoline, battery acid, or DEET. And it doesn’t absorb water.

Fluorocarbon fishing leaders originated in Japan, where anglers are particularly fussy about baits presentations. Japanese fisheries are heavy pressured, so life like bait presentations is important. Nearly invisible fluorocarbon lines enhanced this quality.

Ultimately, U.S. anglers began using fluorocarbon leaders, primarily in saltwater and fly fishing applications, for the same reason the Japanese were using it — low visibility. It caught on when anglers reported catching more fish with it. The original fluorocarbon leaders were stiff and very expensive, but new technologies have produced more flexible fluorocarbon at more affordable prices.

Fluorocarbon certainly offers advantages in clear-water situations where fish are heavily pressured or slow to bite. Also, because fluorocarbon does not absorb water, it won’t weaken or increase in stretch like nylon fishing line. Added density makes fluorocarbon very abrasion-resistant, so it’s ideal for rough conditions, and makes it sink faster than nylon lines and because fluorocarbon stretches slower and less than nylon, particularly when compared to wet nylon, it’s much more sensitive.