Fluorocarbon fishing leaders requires precise crimping due to the stiffness of fluorocarbon leaders and there tendency not to forgive error in the connection between the leader and the fishing line. If the crimp used for connect the fluorocarbon leader to the fishing line is of an incorrect size, the connection will fail when the fish pulls on the line. Thus, it is necesary to ensure that the crimp selected for fluorocarbon fishing leaders is of a correct size to the fluorocarbon leader in question.
The size of the crimp that you use for fluorocarbon fishing leaders must correspond to the diameter of that fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon fishing leaders of different brands contains different diameters. Using a crimp that is too large for the fluorocarbon leader will result in the crimp slipping on the fluorocarbon leader when the fish pulls on the line.
How to Pick the Right Crimp for Fluorocarbon Leaders
Using a crimp that is too small for the fluorocarbon leader will result in the crimp crush the fluorocarbon leader, reducing it’s strength. In addition to using a crimp that corresponds to the diameter of the fluorocarbon leader, it is also important to use the correct material for that crimp. Aluminum crimp are used for lighter fluorocarbon fishing leaders, as aluminum is a softer metal than copper.
Copper crimps are used for heavier fluorocarbon fishing leaders, as copper is a harder metal. Additionally, the more pressure that the crimping tool applies, the harder the copper within the crimp will become. In addition to using the correct type of crimp, it is also important to ensure that the crimping tool used has jaw of the apropriate size.
Using a crimping tool whose jaws do not match the size of the crimp will cause the crimp to become oval in shape instead of round. Such an oval crimp is weak, and will fail when the fish pull on the line. Mini pliers can be used to crimp fluorocarbon leaders of small diameters, but larger fluorocarbon leaders should of be crimped using larger crimping tools or vise mounted crimping tools.
The type of fish that you target with the fishing line will impact the size of the crimp that is use with fluorocarbon fishing leaders. For instance, if the fish that are to be targeted are mahi-mahi fish, the fluorocarbon fishing leader will have small crimps of 50-pound fluorocarbon fishing leaders. If the type of fish that are to be targeted are wahoo fish, the crimps will be larger in size.
For tuna, sailfish and marlin fish, even larger crimps and fluorocarbon fishing leaders of greater diameter will be required. Crimp connections are typically stronger than knots made in fluorocarbon fishing leaders. The crimp will retain 95% of the strength of the fluorocarbon fishing leader, while knots typically dont retain as much strength of the fishing leader.
This is especially true for thick fluorocarbon fishing leaders, which are difficultly tie into knots. In order to avoid any mistakes in the crimping process, it is important to measure the diameter of the fluorocarbon leader that is to be used. The size of the crimp should not be estimated, as this could lead to incorrect sized crimps.
It is also important to always leave a small tag end of the fluorocarbon leader after the crimping process, to avoid the fluorocarbon leader from being pull through the crimp. Finally, double crimps can be used on fluorocarbon fishing leaders, to provide extra security in heavy fishing rig.