Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Shock

In his story “Five Myths About Saltwater Tackle” author Nathaniel Linville recommends IGFA-legal saltwater leaders where the weakest part of the leader is 16-pound-test or 20-pound-test fluorocarbon or nylon monofilament. These leaders still have a shock tippet, a maximum 12 inches of much heavier material connected to the fly to prevent the teeth of the fish from cutting through the line. Tarpon don’t even have teeth, but their mouths are textured like heavy-grit sandpaper. It can tear the skin off your hands and under pressure it would grind through 20-pound-test monofilament in seconds. The solution is a tippet made of much heavier Absolute Fluorocarbon Shock tippet to withstand the abrasive mouths of saltwater gamefish like snook, permit, and tarpon. It comes on a 5-inch, open-hub spool so it’s not coiled, and Scientific Anglers says it has 15% better knot strength than their previous brands of fluorocarbon. It’s available in 25- to 80-pound-test, 30 meters per spool in all sizes. $25 | scientificanglers.com