razor-gang proof bite leaders

[Brandon Khoo]

After getting our butts well and truly spanked by the sharks and other members of the razor gang on my latest trip, I've been trying to think of a more resilient bite leader material. There is always the option of using wire but I don't particularly like using wire if I can help it. Currently, I tie on a bite segment of kevlar but while this provides some protection, it isn't enough against a clean bite. I suppose zylon is an option but I haven't used this in years and its expensive as the devil. It's also hard to knot as its very stiff.

Any other suggestions? I can't think of too much else other than to use wire

[Mark Harris]

I have thought about using Zylon as well. Is it hollow and therefore suitable to use as sleeve over a mono shock leader Brandon? The stuff is bloody expensive for sure.

I can't imagine popping with wire......

[Brandon Khoo]

Hi Mark
I got a roll of it in size 40 in front of me. Bloody hell, I think I just ruined a pairs of my split rings pliers trying to cut through the damn stuff! It's so hard to cut. It's hollow so can definitely be used as a sleeve if you get it in the right gauge. I don't like using wire either but desperate times call for desperate measures 

[Mark Harris]

Hah!  Sorry if you bust a lovely tungsten cutter on my behalf Brandon  . That is though sure testament to the razor resistance of the stuff.

I might just get my hands on some Zylon and play around with it.

[Brandon Khoo]

I think I need about size 80 to be able to pass 170lb leader through the middle
Aarrggh, its expensive as the devil   

[Mike_Tan]

Zylon #70 in solid or hollow will be good for Macks and stuff like that. Do not totally remove the core from hollow type zylon as it weakens the stuff.

[Chris Webster]

What sort of $$$$ are we talking her guys?
For a GT fisho to specify expensive it bust be BLOODY EXPENSIVE!!!!

Chris

[Jay Burgess]

What sort of $$$$ are we talking her guys?
For a GT fisho to specify expensive it bust be BLOODY EXPENSIVE!!!!

Chris

hahaha.. that's exactly what I was thinking Chris 

[Mark Harris]

Five metres (only 5!) will cost you about $40.

[Chris Webster]

Five metres (only 5!) will cost you about $40.

How much would you expect to use at one time though?

[Mark Harris]

For a bite leader section including quite a bit for knotting, about 80 cm I reckon.

Looking at it I also think the large size required to sleeve over a 200 lb leader might cost more than $40 for 5 metres.

[Ricky Lim]

Common people!!!!

$40 extra to save a few gammas. Is worth it dont you think?

[Ben Furness]

I have heard that you can use a heat shrink over the Zylon if you slip it over the first eye of a swivel. Would that be enough to hold it in place?

[Dmitrii Novgorodtcev]

Brandon,

YGK has special scissors for kevlar. It cuts zylon well.
And Nakazima's big size scissors cut zylon perfectly and cost nothing.

[Kiel Hinds]

A couple other options for bite leader might be the Owner power flex which has a wire core and is more so used for assist chords
but you could try it for popping as well. And another product that is relatively new is Tuf line tufleader. Like i said though, it's relatively new
so I don't know too much about it. Here's the youtube link I found about it. Might be worth a shot.

Stainless Steel Leader in the Surf