Tackle Tactics » Tips-Techniques » Gear-Reviews » Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon Leader
Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon Leader
By Cameron Cronin
Whilst I love to experiment with new lures, I must admit that leader is something that I'm usually quite reluctant to switch up. As that final link between you and a potential trophy fish, any leader you tie on needs to tick all the right boxes and in my experience, finding one that does that can be an absolute headache.
As a result, when I received my first spool of Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon, I was slightly hesitant to give my old favourites a rest and try out this new leader. Despite this, my previous experience with Platypus monofilament, like Lo-Stretch and Hard Armour had been nothing short of exceptional. I felt confident that such a well-respected Aussie line manufacturer would never put their name on a subpar product.
With all this in mind, it was a Friday night ahead of a weekend session chasing mulloway when I sat down to tie my first set of leaders with this new fluorocarbon. Taking it out of the packet, my first impressions were great. Coming in 50-100 metre lengths, depending on breaking strain, for a retail price of around $20, you get amazing bang for buck compared to most leader brands, who usually charge higher prices for shorter spools.
Visually, the leader was very clear in appearance and after giving it a bite (not recommended!) I could tell that this stuff was going to be tough as nails. Whilst harder leaders are awesome for pulling big fish out of structure, they can often have the downside of being slippery and more difficult to tie knots with. However, after rigging up, it was clear that this would not be an issue as all my knots bit down perfectly and did not slip at all once pulled.
Last but not least, the custom elastic line keeper is a very welcome addition that looks great and makes sure you will never end up with a mess of loose leader in your tackle bag. With first impressions looking positive, I was more than keen to get out on the water on Saturday and hopefully give this leader a real test.
Fast forward to the next morning. We slipped the boat into a favourite local river and headed upstream into the morning fog to our first spot. This location was a shallow, oyster covered rock bar that the local mulloway sit tight against to shelter from the brunt of the current. For that reason, I opted for my 20lb braid setup, which I had rigged up with 50lb Stealth FC Fluorocarbon. After the first couple of casts, I felt a sharp clunk through the braid and set the hooks into the first mulloway of the morning.
Measuring in the high 80s it was no monster, but it still managed to rub me up against the structure it was sitting on during the fight. After releasing this fish, I felt up and down my leader to check for damage and had to check twice when I found nothing but a slight scuff that wasn't even worth retying. Naturally sceptical, I assumed the fish must have only hit smooth rocks and therefore spared my leader. After a few more smaller fish in the next few casts, it was clear this area was firing up and we made the call to stick it out here for a bit longer.
After an hour's casting without another bite however, we were just about ready to call it quits for this spot. With the tide starting to charge, I put one last 'suicide cast' right up into some slack water, right on top of the oyster covered rock bar. It was either snag or fish in a spot like that and to my surprise, the lure got clunked hard by solid fish that immediately began taking a heap of drag. Straight away I could feel the line dragging across the oysters and, expecting a bust off, I backed off my drag and followed the fish right in close to the rocks. After a tense fight, with presumably damaged line, it was a relief to finally slip the net under the culprit, a solid mulloway a little under the metre mark. Once again after release, I felt along the leader for damage and was surprised with the result. Expecting a totally shredded leader, once again I only had a few more minor scuffs up and down the line to contend with, which also weren't worth retying.
Situations like this are the ultimate test for a new line and for me, my spool of Platypus Stealth FC had passed with flying colours. Since then, I haven't stopped using this line and I am currently in the process of replacing all of my leaders from bass to mulloway with the stuff. Coming in breaking strains from 2-50lb, it covers most of your light tackle lure and bait fishing applications and I have found it perfect for both scenarios.
Overall, if you are after a hard wearing leader that comes in large, neat spools at an extremely competitive price, look no further than Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon. For me this really is the leader that ticks all the right boxes and I look forward to using this line for many years to come.