I'm definitely in the AFW 7x7 over Fluoro camp:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EOK6HO/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=AEROF1NMHJ09N&th=1

For sure, I think a lot of people get carried away with the whole clear thing when you get to those really thick lines you need for pike. I'm not going to say steel is the only answer. I've used both, I'm probably going back to 100% steel, but not everyone has to. There is a time and place for everything. I've said it before, when you get to those 50#, 60#, 80# leaders of mono of fluoro, they are super obvious. There's no hiding something that thick. Visibility wise it's not that horrible, but I'm sure fish can sense that it's there more than the thin steel with their lateral line. That's besides the fact those super thick lines dampen any lure or bait you are using. It's probably not as much of an issue with dead bait.

I'm not going to say someone shouldn't use fluorocarbon or nylon monofilament, or even the newer copolymer lines as leaders. I'm just trying to steer people to the best possible outcome with that. My experience has been pretty much the exact same as anyone who has tried them seriously, and that is 20-30 lb lines aren't enough for pike. 40-50 is marginal, I too got bite offs, but it's mostly acceptable. I've never been bitten off on 80# yet, but the stuff is super thick. I also have found no advantage to use fluorocarbon over nylon for leaders. People are free to disagree, but with my eyes, I can not find any appreciable difference in visibility. In every test I can find online, nylon has equaled, or bested fluorocarbon in abrasion testing. About the only thing fluorocarbon has going for it to me is that it is slightly thinner for the same strength rating than nylon line, but that is no concern to me using it as a pike leader. Also, I've yet to see any proof "leader material" is anything better than standard line. Those are just my experiences, and what I have found through research and testing. I would have taken a picture of thicker lines if I had comparable ones. I only have 30# mono, and 80# fluoro, nothing between. I'm not going to go out and buy 80# mono just to take a picture, you guys are perfectly capable of sticking a couple lines in a glass and looking at it yourself.

45* and raining.

 48,showers and breezy

44* and some rain.

IFF, thoughts and prayers for Carl and family.

I took the Marlin 39a up to my nephew yesterday morning, he wasn't home so left it on the kitchen table, he was quite pleased when he got home. He "loves" his Marlin's, his last GSP was named Marlin.

IW, I have only seen few people fishing since the 1st and most of those were fishing off the wrong side of the bridges. Between the Northville bridge and the "next" bridge upstream there is NO fishing at all until walleye season opens. DEC is pretty good about running those out.

Well, the "new" car search didn't last long. Everyone was right about the cost going UP. She knew what she wanted and they had one on the lot so it is now in the driveway. Same model CRV and the same color as the last TWO. In the almost 13 years it went up just about 10K. We ended up leasing, which helped, and the new one is a hybrid. We can't say anything bad about the "buying" experience, got a fair price on the trade. It may have helped as this is the 4th CRV we have bought from them plus, Lindsay has gotten 3 from them. She just leased the same CVR about 3 months ago and loves it. I know the wife "loved" the drive home, I almost can't wait for our next trip to NYC I "said" almost. I do know I will feel better about it. I spent most of last night reading thru the 700+ page Owner's Manual. I DO READ THEM! Did you know that a new CRV has up to 98 fuses? I will NEVER be able to set-up or use most of what the car can do, I would rather drive it MYSELF!

Not much planned for today, we have had a busy week.

Be safe...h2l