Fluorocarbon: leader or filler?

[arkpov56]

There is a question that's been bothering me for long time now.   As I stated before, I use fluoro line for leaders on my laker/brown drifting/trolling rigs.  Namely, I use Berkley Vanish 6lb that comes in 250 yard spools and runs between $10 and $12 per spool.  It is invisible in the water, soft enough to allow my bait to swim naturally and strong enough to let me bring the 28" laker to the boat last Sunday. 
Now here is my question: many websites including Berkley http://www.berkley-fishing.com/prod.php?u=VFS call it "filler spool" and offer 40 yrd leader spools for $9 - $11. http://www.berkley-fishing.com/prod.php?p=PURVLM10-15+%281071684%29
What is the difference that makes this "leader" almost 5 times more expensive than the "filler"?  What do I need to buy this 40 yards for if for the same money I can buy 250 and still catch and deliver any fish?
I'd love to hear expert opinions on this matter.

[KenH]

My understanding is that Flurocarbon leader material which is sold in shorter lengths and
priced higher are basically the original flurocarbon line, with all the advantages of fluro over
mono, but quite stiff with alot of memory. The trend towards using flurocarbon line as
a mainline, available in filler and bulk spools, came later as the manufacturers modified their
formulas to make the line less stiff, less memory retention but with all the same advantages
over mono as the original. Some manufacturers say that their "leader material" is more abrasion
resistant than their "filler spool". I have felt the leader material and it is indeed "stiffer" than the
filler. In practical terms I suppose a bass fisherman who has to deal constantly with weeds, structures, logs, various obstructions may prefer more abrasion resistance. In my case chasing trout, that's really
not much of an issue. For that reason (and cost) I use the lower priced filler spool for my leaders with no complaints. It's still far more abrasion resistant than mono or even co-polymers (hybrids).
My personal preference is Seaguar InvizX which is slightly more stiff than their AbrazX. But I haven't used
many brands and frankly with the immense advantage Fluro offers over mono, I'm sure all the big-name
brands are very good. 

Ken
   
PS- Wondering if it's going to be too windy Sunday....

[VinnyH]

I use the Seaguar InvizX on some of my setups for bass. I agree that the feel of the "leader" line is usually less flexible than the same test spooled.

Side note: I switched my Saturday fishing to Sunday so I'll be wishing for no wind.

[oilgorg]

 I think it may just be a marketing ploy. I use vanish transition 6lb from a "filler spool" to make my leaders and have caught many large fish without a problem.  So even if an expert were to say there's a difference I'm sticking with the filler spool and buying some more plugs or something.

 The fishing was also good on Tuesday.  Hopefully we can test our leaders again soon.

[phishahn]

Being most leaders are  not more than 6 feet in most cases, it would take a lifetime to use 250 yards, thus rendering the line useless. Line should be changed every year or more as well as leader line,temp. sunlight play a big part in the intgerety of line.You wouldn't want to lose the lunker on line that has been weakened by those factors and old age.Pay the extra coin and change the spools as needed. As far as softness, to me it doesn't come into play for trout fishing, being invisible is the key. Congrats on the big fork tail,awesome, how much did the toad weigh? Phish.

[arkpov56]

Thanks to everyone who shared the knowledge and openions.  I see that most colleagues in trout fishing agree with my approach. Proud of it!
Phish, my leaders usually do not survive more than one fishing trip as I cut them after almost every fish - either to release it faster or to let it live on the stringer for as long as possible.  So I do use a lot of line and 250 yards may not last for too long.  But I do throw away leftovers before the beginning of new season.
As to the 28-incher, sorry, I didn't care to weigh it, but I did take a picture.  Here is my buddy Steve with MY laker:
BTW, I'll be fishing tomorrow (Saturday) rain or shine (rain, mostlikely) as my son is visiting and he only has this day to try it.  Besides, Sunday may look better for the rain, but the wind may be a killer...

[rpigw]

Nice one(s)...   

[KenH]

Ark;

That looks like it would go 7-8 lbs.
I've caught a 29 incher but it was skinny, nothing like yours.
Looks to me like the forcasts overestimated the winds so hope
you nail them today. I'll be out tomorrow morning.

Ken

[arkpov56]

Thanks, Ken, we did!  My son and I had a lot of fun hitting on lakers, although there were no really big once.  They all ranged between 22" and 24" but they were in plenty.  The weather wasn't that bad: a couple of drizzles, some little fog and calm and quiet otherwise.  The wind started picking up around 11AM and we were out by than.

How did you do on windy Sunday?

[KenH]

Ark,

Your hunch about the wind was right. At 6:45am Sunday the west winds were
already howling. Couldn't still fish without an anchor (whih i didn't bring-LOL)
and couldn't troll without killing yourself. Boats anchored west of the bridge looked
like they were picking up small ones on shiners. I trolled from Area 3 down and back and
picked up one 19 incher on the way home. It was more excercise than
fishing.

Ken

[VinnyH]

Ken,
My eyesight's not the best but I wish I had bumped into you. My buddy, Roman, and I fished Sunday down from Area 3 for bass. We worked the western shoreline and coves from about 10am until 3pm. Only got a 2lb smallie and a bunch of short hits on the jig. We did go down and around the point at the bottom of the peninsula but the wind was brutal so we couldn't fish as much.

Found a bunch of nice spots we know will get better when the temps rise.

Best to All,
Vinny

[KenH]

Hmm...I got back to shore at 10:30 so I must have passed you coming up..
but I saw only one boat with one guy bass fishing very close to the shoreline
on the west shore. Maybe I just missed you. Or maybe I need glasses too..

Ken