I've been thinking about using a flourocarbon leader when throwing trout plugs. I experimented with one while throwing fastracs and swimbaits for halibut, but I didn't like the way the knot passed through the guides. I was using a blood knot, but it just seemed like it could possibly damage the guides over time. What do you guys do when setting up a flourocarbon leader?-Phil

I've thought long and hard about using a flourocarbon leader or even main line for trout baits. The conclusion I came to was that it was not a good idea. So many trout bait fish hit the bait right at the boat, and with flourocarbon you don't have the stretch and shock absorbsion that you do with mono. In this instance, you want a little stretch in the line so that the fish doesn't clean snap you off. A big fish that eats the bait right at the boat is challenging enough, the bait, rod, and line all have to give in order to ensure a hookset.
Just my 2 cents. CJ.

CJ and Phil
I have been doing it for about a year and a half now and it has worked well for me. I use a 2' piece of 30lb sugoi florocarbon. I tie it in with a blood knot and I cinch it down very very tight. Then I trim the tag ends so the knot is as small as possible. I don't know for sure if it has gotten me bites that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise, but I'm sure it can't hurt. The floro doesn't have much stretch, but it does stretch a little. It also stands up really well to the abuse that the last foot of your line gets when throwing the bigger baits.
I was using this setup on Sunday on that 13-7 and it held up great when the fish hit with only a few feet of line out. I'm sure it helps that I was using 30. That fish probably would have snapped me off on 20, leader or no leader. Mike Shaw showed me this trick orginally and he has used it with good success as well. You just have to make sure your knots are good.

I have thought about this a lot and one thing I would really like to try is fishing straight 25lb florocarbon with the big wood plugs. I wouldn't do it with the swimbaits, but with the wood lures with 2 hooks I want instant positive hookup on the fish. I think florocarbon would be a good thing for that. I just haven't broken down and spent the money to buy the line. Cheap florocarbons like Floroclear, Vanish, and the Triple Fish florocarbon are basically worthless in my opinion. The only way to go is Sugoi or Seguar or perhaps some of the Japanese brands. Just look at the price tag. If it's cheap, there's a reason.

Like anything, this is just my opinion on the deal. Everyone develops their own methods that they have confidence in. Confidence in your tackle and your lure are more important than anything.

Last year I started using 100% flourocarbon (not the coated junk)leaders in the salt and have been surprised at how abrasion resistant it is in comparison to mono.

Thanks for the advice guys. I have also thought about going with straight floro. Actually I did try it once with Berkley Vanish, which I now know sucks. I spooled up with that stuff and had to cut a fishing trip short because of it. I've been reluctant to go with straight floro ever since, but with some high quality stuff, like you guys said, it'll probably work out. I'll do some testing this weekend at Margarita. Looks like rain both days.-Phil