I looked thru some old posts regarding it and interested in current opinions and any changes or solidification of thoughts/concerns.  I throw braid to leader on most everything and really need a thin diameter, abrasion resistant leader, to get my smallies over the zebra mussel rock shelf I often fish.  Currently 10lb shooter is tough enough with frequent line checks to do the job.  Mastiff at these prices would be very cost effective, as I burn through a lot.  I throw 20-25' leaders, so mainline users would have insights on manageability that might come into play.  I tie fg and sdj knots 99% of the time.

 

Thanks,

 

scott

My experience with Mastiff is good, but not something that blows my mind. Its knot strength is pretty good, as I didn't have any knot failure so far. The stretch is normal for fluoro lines, similar to Sniper. Memory is not bad, almost as good as Tatsu. Abrasion resistance is OK, as I only had one breakoff, but I don't think abrasion resistance is its strong suit. 

So in summary, it's good for many things, but doesn't excel in anything. 

@newapti5 can you give me a quick sniper vs mastiff in terms of abrasion resistance?  It would help me get off this fence.

 

scott

My favorite hard leader is YGK V12, and I've loaded up 3 or four 30-m spools in a range of sizes I fish, thrown in with other Japan orders.  They've started selling direct on Amazon now (linked above - paid half that buying in Japan).  

If you compare JDM Seaguar Premium to Grand Max, you'll find the same breaking strength ratio - Premium is tougher and stretchier, Grand Max is harder and more abrasion-resistant.  

I don't understand why leader thread OP always ends up with bulk line comparisons - they're not the same.  (yeah, I know, specifically asked for in OP)

In USM leader, probably can't beat Seaguar Gold for hardness/abrasion, and Seaguar Blue for stretch and toughness.  

But you know what you're getting with JDM leader - diameter and breaking strength are real numbers.  

 

Hard leader is lower memory, and knot strengh should never be an issue in any quality leader (it was in older Rio and Orvis High-Strengh tippet spools - turned everyone to Seaguar, Umpqua and Frog Hair).   You're not going to find limp to be an issue in any leader finer than 10-lb breaking strength.  

A good guess is that Toray and Kureya make all JDM leader, and Toray ExThread is the best-behaved bulk fluorocarbon made, and spendiest for a reason.  

 

Regardless of line or leader, when a redfish turns into skinny oyster shell, never brought one out.  

3 hours ago, softwateronly said:

@newapti5 can you give me a quick sniper vs mastiff in terms of abrasion resistance?  It would help me get off this fence.

 

scott

Compared to sniper, it’s a little less abrasion resistant, but a little softer/more manageable. I only used the 12lb mastiff as mainline for bottom contact lures in smallie fishing. Given the rocky situation in Susquehanna river, it’s not the most abrasion resistant line, but I don’t have to worry and check my line all the time.
 

In braid+leader cases, I use leader material mostly, but I do understand that for long leaders, soft yet tough leader material could be quite costly. For the msrp price of $25 a roll, I feel like it’s a little overpriced. But when Academy had a sale for $10 a roll, I stocked up. For that price, it’s a steal. TW has a similar sales going on.

I'm with @bulldog1935. I use leader material and bulk line is bulk line. They are two different things to me.  The only exception I make is Tatsu. Call me frugal. I can't throw the leftovers of that pricey spool away.  It works but I prefer leader material. I keep some in the kayak in case of emergencies. 

 

The OP mentioned using 20-25' leaders. That to me is a lot of line. I tend to keep mine around 6-8'. I don't like the knot to be in the spool. Its just one more spot for the knot to get beat up. This is just my personal preference but I can see were bulk line might be preferable with such a long leader.

 

My favorite leader materials..... Grand Max,  Grand Max FX,  Seaguar Gold Label,  Daiwa Saltiga Xlink and recently Varivas Absolute Shock Leader. Grand Max FX is my go to for heavy jig fishing.  I use it every time I'm out. I only have had to change the leader once this year and that's because I ran out of line from retying. It has more stretch than most but its strong and durable. 

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

Call me frugal. 

 

The OP mentioned using 20-25' leaders. That to me is a lot of line. I tend to keep mine around 6-8'. I don't like the knot to be in the spool. Its just one more spot for the knot to get beat up. This is just my personal preference but I can see were bulk line might be preferable with such a long leader.

 

 

5 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

  

I don't understand why leader thread OP always ends up with bulk line comparisons - they're not the same.  (yeah, I know, specifically asked for in OP)

 

 

Yes, it's about frugality, and real world problems.  I've set the hook on a smallie about 20' in front of me and about 20' down only to have them drive immediately left or right and nick my braid on the mussels.  Don't like not catching and even less happy with a fish dragging around that much line with a new lip piercing.  So my leaders go away completely when I'm less than 15 feet and usually start with 30' ish tied on.  I burn through enough that bulk line is what my wallet will take right now.  PE 1 w/ 10lb shooter, the right wind, and the right lure on 3 of my rigs also allows me to cast 40-50 yards to reach the other breakwall and get in front of those fish.  This is my best of both worlds so far but open to suggestions.

 

5 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

My favorite hard leader is YGK V12, and I've loaded up 3 or four 30-m spools in a range of sizes I fish, thrown in with other Japan orders.  They've started selling direct on Amazon now (linked above - paid half that buying in Japan).  

If you compare JDM Seaguar Premium to Grand Max, you'll find the same breaking strength ratio - Premium is tougher and stretchier, Grand Max is harder and more abrasion-resistant.  

 

 

Appreciate the info and will keep an eye out when ordering from overseas.

 

Thanks

 

scott