Fairly new to the sport and still learning, so please bear with me. 
 

Is there any difference between the FC you see marketed as leader material compared to the larger spools of FC marketed toward the whole spool?

 

I see small spools of FC ( 25 yds) and then I see large spools (200 yds) and I’m curious if they’re the same thing but just different quantities?

Theres a difference in my experience. Generally, leader material is more abrasion resistant and stiff, but likely wont behave itself that well as a mainline.  Ive had great results with lines marketed as leader, and pretty good results using mainline as a leader.

 

Diameter matters, but I tend to use mainline a  lb test or so heavier in the same situation as leader mtl to be safe.

In some cases it is the same thing, but mostly leader material is stiffer and harder than line. You can use line as leader, but leader as line will behave as if it were, what's the word I'm looking for, oh yeah, fluoro...  

To me, unless I’m fishing offshore with heavy leader (80-100lb plus), it’s more cost effective to use a spool of regular line as leader. Never been a problem for me. 

Even when fishing 5-lb fluorocarbon mainline, I'll add a 9-lb hard fluoro abrasion leader. 

I fished bulk spools of 12-lb Abrazx for a decade, and would still add 15-lb leader for more shock and abrasion-resistance.  If you tie good knots, doesn't cost much for your line taking abuse between structure and rubbing fins and gill plates of multiple fish. 

Fresh water bass are not line shy fish, line diameter is a key factor that affects lure action.

Save your money and use premium Mono or Copoly line that have higher abrasion resistance and more reliable knot strength.

To answer you ? FC leader has more memory and doesn’t lay well on reel spools.

What type and size of reel are you using?

Tom 

14 hours ago, patx said:

Is there any difference between the FC you see marketed as leader material compared to the larger spools of FC marketed toward the whole spool?

In most reliable brand YES, (I don’t trust cheap brand to use better quality line and advertised as leader material). The leader material will benefit the most of abrasion resistance for rock or those toothy fish while maintaining diameter compare to mainline. Do we need those for bass absolutely not but if you have money and wanna use the best of the best go ahead.

When my friend target barramundi fish in Thailand we always use 30-40 lb leader material to deal with those teeth while using braid PE 0.6-1 as main line. The problem with leader material is stiffness which would effect the natural movement of some type lures. Using just mainline no leader you don’t have to deal with connections knot. 

Yes they are different, expensive leader materials offer different types of leaders, such as shock leaders, abrasion leaders, and soft leaders to impart more natural action. As WRB said above, bass are not line shy and leaders are not usually needed and use a clear nylon line, florocarbon has many qualms.

Since reading through the many threads on line here, I look at line more on diameter, and not so much lb test break strength.                          Some like Yo Zuri Hybrid have a much higher break strength than the lb test on the box.  

6 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Even when fishing 5-lb fluorocarbon mainline, I'll add a 9-lb hard fluoro abrasion leader. 

I fished bulk spools of 12-lb Abrazx for a decade, and would still add 15-lb leader for more shock and abrasion-resistance.  If you tie good knots, doesn't cost much for your line taking abuse between structure and rubbing fins and gill plates of multiple fish. 

I think that’s the only spinning reel I’ve ever seen with two handles. What is it ?

@Skunkmaster-k

That's a Daiwa SLP Works handle with IOS shaft adapter to fit a Tica Cetus

If you have a hex-shaft reel with folding handle, IOS adapter will let you swap in a fixed Daiwa handle.  Tica Samira with Daiwa handle on right. 

 

Double and counter-balanced handles on finesse spinning reels improve light touch feel by keeping the bail weight from turning under gravity. 

Thank you everyone for the detailed responses!  I've learned a lot.

I noticed more bites and follows with FC leader.  Using either Seaguar Tatsu or Sunline shooter invisible as a long leader probably 50+ft it can be tricky to cast into wind.  Always use KVD line and lube beforehand.