Flouro leaders breaking

My dad and I fished a walleye tournament this weekend and ended up losing some key fish due to our leaders breaking. We were using 12lb Vanish for leader material on our minnow/chub harnesses. On Saturday we had one break just below the over hand knot that ties the leader to the bottom bouncer. On Sunday, we had 2 more break in the same place. These all broke while setting the hook and we weren’t getting carried away when doing so. I was running 20lb 832 braid to a bouncer and then the 12lb Vanish leader. My dad was running 12lb mono to the bouncer and then 12lb vanish. He broke 2 and I broke 1.

Why is this happening? The overhand knot is still intact after breaking (we had to open the swivel on the bouncer to take them off) but breaking just below the knot. I can understand this happening once in awhile, but 3 times in 2 days cost us big time. I should also note that when I make leaders, I always moisten the line on every knot I make. The leaders were all made from the same brand new spool of Vanish too. We were fishing a mud bottom, so very little down there to chafe the line. Another note, we inspected our leaders thoroughly after every fish and there were never and abrasions to make us change them out, especially where they were breaking.

Did I have a bad spool of Vanish? What are your recommendations for live bait leader material? Thank you.

Vanish was known for this problem when if first came out. I thought they had fixed the problem but maybe you got a spool that’s been on the shelf for awhile.

Either way, I had this happen to me years ago in a tournament as well.

Lots of other really good fluorocarbon lines out there that don’t have this problem such as Seagur InvisX, P-line, Bass Pro shops XPS brand just to name a few that I’ve used with good success for the past 5-7 years.

I’ve had that happen lots of times with Vanish. The knot doesn’t break… it breaks right below the knot. Incredibly frustrating.

I’ve been using 10lb Suffix 100% Castable for a year or so with no problems, it’s pretty reasonably priced as well. I’d try another line a try to see if that helps. On a side note I’ve used the same spool of 6lb Vanish to tie leaders ice fishing and haven’t had a break off yet.

Ten lb xt

This is probably a long shot but are you wetting the line before pulling the knot tight? Maybe that’s weakening it? Probably just a bad spool.

I to had had horrible luck with Vanish. It’s appropriately named as it makes your lures and fish Vanish. I switched to Seguar Invisix and have never looked back. I now use it for leaders and as main lines very satisfied with it. Fluorocarbon is very sensitive to knots as well and use the Eugene Bend knot and make sure to lubricate before pulling it tight you will hear an audible click if you have tied it right.

Mwal

Use a Palomar knot and PLine. Just finished a tournament in which I caught a lot of large sheepies and many cats over 10 lbs with some over 15 lb, never broke a leader.

No mater which line you use the Palomar know to a swivel will be a stronger option.

I made a similar post some time ago identical to yours, vanish with loop knot breaking. Cut off the loop, and tie improved clinch knot directly to swivel and haven’t had issues with a single one, same line and spools. BTW line is at least 5yrs old.

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I made a similar post some time ago identical to yours, vanish with loop knot breaking. Cut off the loop, and tie improved clinch knot directly to swivel and haven’t had issues with a single one, same line and spools. BTW line is at least 5yrs old.

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x2 on the improved cinch knot. Palomar from the braid to swivel and improved cinch from leader.

With P-line, InvisX & Bass Pro Shops XPS brands, I tie improved cinch knots the most but I also tie a fair number of palomar and albright knots.
I’ve never noticed a problem no matter which knot I use and that includes all my salmon fishing lines.

Maybe its just me, but if you have to use a particular knot just for one brand of line, then I have ask myself:
Why am I buying and using this stuff?

I’ve tried Vanish about 4 different times when manufacturer said the problems were fixed. Through every spool away. Personally I think Vanish is junk.

I also tried Vanish in the past and it broke like crazy.

I now buy only Seaguar, they invented flouro.

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Vanish was known for this problem when if first came out. I thought they had fixed the problem but maybe you got a spool that’s been on the shelf for awhile.

Either way, I had this happen to me years ago in a tournament as well.

Lots of other really good fluorocarbon lines out there that don’t have this problem such as Seagur InvisX, P-line, Bass Pro shops XPS brand just to name a few that I’ve used with good success for the past 5-7 years.

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I thought that is how it got it’s name- Anything on the end of the line vanished when you least expected it!

I agree use any of the ones Joel suggested and wet the line before cinching the knot down.

Over the winter I bought and put Vanish on four rods… I have caught some eyes but nothing over 21″

10lb xt, I have been using it for years on spinners and never had any problems

I picked up a spool of P-line today. Hopefully that will solve the problem. One thing I did notice when tying a few leaders was the stretch in the P-line. I could actually feel it stretch when pulling on it. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but I will give it a shot. Thanks for all the info IDO, you’re a wealth of wisdom!

Vanish crimson red dissapears in tea stained Canadian lakes, I’ll have report in a 10 days, but until then I need to find some locally.

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10lb xt, I have been using it for years on spinners and never had any problems

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When tying leaders for slow death rigs or crawler harnesses, I totally agree with the guys who are using 10lb Trilene XT.

For all other leaders, I use the fluorocarbon leaders as mentioned above but for crawler harnesses or slow death leaders, XT is the way to go.

For one, it doesn’t sink like fluoro lines do.

Two, its stiffer which is a big plus in the right situation.