Berkley Vanish mainline vs leader knot strength test

I wanted to figure out once and for all what the difference is between fluorocarbon mainline and leader is.
To do this, I decided to test the leader brand I use -- Berkley Vanish leader line -- and test it against the Berkley Vanish mainline of the same diameter to see which line has a better knot strength.
To see the full test of these lines, including a test of their abrasion resistance, check out the link here:
www.saltstrong...
For the knot strength test, I tied the tag end of the mainline to a white swivel using a Non-Slip Loop Knot and connected the leader line and mainline using a Blood Knot. I then tied the tag end of the leader line to a black swivel using the Non-Slip Loop Knot.
I then pulled at the strand of lines and determined where the knot broke first to indicate which line had a weaker knot strength.
You can see the full results of this test in the video above.
Don't forget to check out our website for more fishing product tests just like this one:
www.saltstrong...
Let me if you have any questions or suggestions for this test in the comments below.
Tight Lines!

[@TheWranglerDriver]

I was told this by a Clearwater fishing guide a few years ago. Glad to see his hypothesis confirmed.

[@PaleHose28]

Awesome video yet again with the Vanish experiment. It looks like Berkeley has a winner there with the main line for leader line

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks Frankie!

[@Saltstrong]

Here's a link to see the full test of these two lines (abrasion & knot strength): www.saltstrong.com/articles/berkley-vanish-leader-vs-mainline-abrasion-knot-strength/

[@RealisticFishing]

These experiments are awesome!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to leave the nice comment.

[@carnufiasfishing8444]

Love watching your video's. Love your Uni Knot video. Thats about the only knot i use now. That knot is awesome. I use it to snell hooks. 🎣😎🎣😎🎣

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to leave the nice comment Felix!

[@JohnJames-xo8wz]

If a manufacturer states a line is a certain pound test and it breaks close to that...there you go. In comparing 20# to 15# line and noting the 15# pound breaks before the 20#, well that seems as it should. It is 'interesting' that the 20#, when singularly tested broke just slightly above what the 15# leader line did.

[@brad6308]

I bought 20lb vanish main line (250 yards) and use it as leader for yellow tail snapper, and works great. I have 20 lb leader for life lol

[@redtobertshateshandles]

You get a handy small spool for taking in your bag though. I just refill it. Large spools are a hassle.

[@ninkgurr407]

Absolutely great info! Thank you so much for your data!!

[@tylerr.3209]

New subscriber here I use vanish mainline for leaders and I am honestly not surprised with the results.. leave it to the company to make something Almost exactly the same but 5 times more expensive.. I skateboard and I bought a pair of 60$ reds swiss bearings busted one in less than a month bought a box of the same brand bearings just the 15$ series and they are all still intact a year later... Sometimes the best money can buy isn't the best haha

[@84neilbone]

The vanish is really good line for the price. I usually just use the mainline as leader material

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Yep. Been using it since it came out. Incredibly strong for leaders.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

You get a really handy small spool though. Which I refill.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@erutku]

thanks for this useful review

[@timothyroche6445]

Otis is helping

[@steveodonnell2921]

Why did all lines break at the loop knot. You should have reversed the order a couple of times to see where it would break

[@shanewilson3890]

Very interesting

[@ardscorner]

Good video. So looking at the results, it is no problem to use the Main Line to make leaders and save money by not buying the specific leader line

[@richbelfiore6908]

Great experiment. 1 question though. I've been using the Berkley Vanish 20 lb mainline as my leader just like you did here. But, I think it's Mono. Either way, Is there an advantage or disadvantage over Flouro? I mainly fish inshore for Snook, Trout, Reds, Jacks and the occasional Tarpon. Thanks

[@redtobertshateshandles]

No, it's fluorocarbon.

[@richbelfiore6908]

@@redtobertshateshandles thank you. The label wore off long ago and I couldn't remember if it was fluoro or mono

[@wcarl60]

good info

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks Wesley!

[@smcewen7]

I always thought buying leader line was a waist of money,I don't think there's a difference except the price.My favorite is still Seaguar Red label.Not a fan of the Berkley Fluoros,they seem to have more memory than most.

[@Saltstrong]

The Berkley Vanish mainline has much less memory than the leader line. And the mainline beat Seaguar Blue Label which beat Seaguar Red label (www.saltstrong.com/fishing-tip/seaguar-blue-label-vs-red-label-review/), so I recommend giving it a shot.

[@mikeherbster115]

Comparing two different breaking strengths is not helpful unless the one rated for more strength breaks first.

[@Saltstrong]

The reason we did this test is because the most common feedback we heard on why people use the more expensive leader spools for their leader vs. just getting the line in bulk mainline spools was because they thought that the "leader" material was more abrasion resistant and had better knot strength. So we tested both of them and didn't find any differences between the two lines.

[@Larry77777]

Hey Luke: great work. Let me bore your viewers with some diameter numbers:
Cross-sectional Comparison
.010"D reference area 100%
.009"D comparison is 81%
.008"D comparison is 64%
.007"D comparison is 49%
Conversion Chart
.010"D = .254 .242 - .266 mm
.009"D = .229 .217 - .241 mm
.008"D = .203 .191 - .215mm
.007"D = .178 .166 - .190 mm

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing the specifics!