I fish a FC leader all the time. I fish some waters that are gin clear. But I think when a lot of folks hear fluorocarbon they are only thinking about line that is virtually invisible under water. But there are other reasons to fish it...one is as Disco mentioned. Ninety-five percent of my fishing is done with 2# test line. I use some braid...but I use a polyester mono line that has the characteristics of braid....meaning no stretch. When using this ester line, or braid....I need an FC leader if for nothing else as a shock leader. FC stretches.....braid and ester line do not. If you are using very light braided line....such as 2# test.....a shock leader really helps out. It gives you a little forgiveness when you hook into a fish. Now if you are using much heavier braided line for crappie I don’t think a shock leader is necessary. But you can also use regular mono as a shock leader. When using a shock leader I usually have an FC leader of about 4 feet in length. But the correct way to do a shock leader is to use a length of leader that is equal to the length of the rod you are using and also have enough to maybe go 1-2 turns around the spool on your reel. But I can tell you fishing for crappie in a gin clear trout river....which I do....I catch a lot more crappie than folks who fish with me and are not using an FC leader. It usually only takes them seeing me catch fish and they are not that they tie on an FC leader...then they start catching also. As for needing it in stained water for crappie that can be up for debate...but in very clear water it is a must for me. But keep in mind I am talking about using extremely light lines.

Regards


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