Striking Gold : Seaguar's Fluorocarbon Leader for Enthusiasts (continued)

Lab Tests: Next step for Gold Label is our series of lab tests so we can compare actual characteristics of the line to our historical numbers. Whenever we get a new nylon monofilament or fluorocarbon line to fish, these tests help build my initial impressions of what to expect so I can be mindful out on the water of what I tie at the end of the line until I can build some experience and therefore confidence with the product.

Tensile & Knot Strength: The most difficult thing in these comparative line analyses is finding a common diameter with which to work. The table above represents some of the brands we've tested over the years in diameters as close to 0.300mm we could find. As mentioned earlier, for Gold Label, that meant 15 pound. Most of the lines at this diameter are rated at 12 pound test. The exception is Sunline's Shooter rated 14 pounds at .312mm in diameter. Gold Label's actual tested tensile strength at this diameter averaged out to 14.2 pounds. YGK's Tour Grade G-Soul FC tested slightly higher, but the line was also slightly thicker (0.314mm). Same with HiSeas 100% FC, only that line is quite a bit thicker (0.332mm). Otherwise, Gold Label's numbers are rather impressive for the diameter at which we tested (0.297mm).

Gold Label installed as a leader on my Shimano Scorpion MGL matched with an Ark Rods Invoker Limited casting rod

Also somewhat encouraging is the line's knot strength performance. Average across all the fluorocarbon main line material we've tested is 63.7%. Gold Label tested at 72%. Only Tatsu and DARM Ultimate FC tested higher. Tatsu is still the gold standard in knot strength at an unheard of 93% in our tests. Frankly I expected the same performance from Gold Label and was surprised it did not perform at least as well as Tatsu in this area, but at least it is better than average.

I used it here, tied to some 50lb JBraid with an FG Knot (using the Knot Assist Tool 2.0). That's my custom painted Core7 matched with an iRod Kaimana Coastal Series stick.

Abrasion: Given Gold Label is a leader material, this is where I expected to see the biggest difference. For our abrasion tests in the lab, we take a length of line and run it over the same abrasive surface applying pressure with a three pound weight. We count the cycles, back and forth, average the results and add that number to the table above. Our historical fluorocarbon average for this test is fourteen and a half (14.5) cycles.

15lb Gold Label making for a good leader fishing cranks

The first time I ran the 15lb Gold Label through this test, the line lasted FIFTY FIVE (55) cycles! I could not believe it! Then, for some inexplicable reason, the results dropped off dramatically to a final average of twenty seven (27) cycles. Still a high number, but no where over fifty (50). I threw out the high of 55 and whatever the low was to come to this average. The only mainline FC that came close to this number was again, Tatsu with an average of 21 cycles.

20lb worked here, but did make me a little nervous because it's quite thin.

Stretch: Gold Label's stretch and deformity numbers show further separation from the mainline FC pack with very minimal effect here. This should translate to solid hook set performance and better control of your catch. Of little surprise, the only lines to come close to Gold Label by comparison are the stiffer, harder to handle mainlines like YGK Tour Grade G-Soul and Sunline Shooter FC.

20lb on my Steez Limited matched with a Legit Design WSC72H+ saw a lot of fish catching activity.

Wait, One More Test: Over the course of the past year, while working through my hollow braid game, I broke off two pricey big baits during the cast. On both occasions, I was using a thirty pound monofilament as my leader when my hollow braid backlashed causing the spool to stop mid cast. These were heavy lures, - over six ounces - so the leader material had little hope of absorbing the impact of the sudden stop. It didn't. When the line stopped, the impact of the lures' momentum broke the knot connecting lure to leader and the baits continued on their flight path, splashing down off in the distance. I'm down about $300 - $350 in those two baits. This is why most big bait fishermen choose a reel spooled straight with a heavy gauge nylon monofilament. Nylon monofilament is easier to manage on a cast and has a lesser tendency to backlash. However, I don't like to settle and prefer the sensitivity braid affords me. So I've been on the hunt for a good, big bait leader material, but needed to find a way to test the strength of new, potential leader options in a stopped cast scenario before tying on another +$150 bait.

Gold Label has allowed me the confidence to fish a fluorocarbon leader with glide baits.

I devised a plan to take different leader and mainline materials of the same diameter (because strength ratings are entirely unreliable), tie off one foot sections with a snap at each end, attach one end to a screw eye installed in a ceiling rafter, and the other to a series of lead weights. From there, I planned to hold each weight up to the height of the screw eye and let go. The weight will drop roughly a foot before impacting the line, and when the line breaks, I'd make note of the weight as a data point.

Fluorocarbon is always a good choice for soft plastic swimbaits like this DreamSmasher DSS Shad.

Understanding that even though the line/knots may survive one drop at any given weight but still be damaged, I resolved to drop each weight three times before moving up in load. I did not distinguish if a line broke at the first, second, or third drop at any given weight. It only mattered to me that it broke. Through trial and error, I discovered sixteen ounces was a good starting point. From there, I increased the load by two ounces until a break occurred. When it did, I tied another length of line to re-test at the same weight for verification, moving up or down during the verification process until I found the consistent load at which the line broke.

Shallow cranking duties with Megabass's Big M2.0 and 20lb Gold Label.