Straight Knot Strength - Tatsu?

[reason162]

Is Tatsu still considered the gold standard for knot strength?

4 - 6lb as leader material for tightlining...don't care as much about abrasion resistance as this is all open water fishing for suspended smallies. I've had a handful of terminal knot failures with Sniper and the new Daiwa J Floro Samurai at pretty light drag settings right after hook set.

[Cal]

Is Tatsu still considered the gold standard for knot strength?

Yes

[hoohoorjoo]

I personally dont trust it. I broke off 2 consecutive times bed fishing in a tourney, one fish was 4# and one around 6#, iirc. I was sight fishing on short line in very sparse hydrilla, no rocks or wood around. The line wasn't frayed at all, because I checked it just before each time. It cost me a big chunk of change that day and I never used it again. Of course, your results may vary.

[Real Pudd legend]

I had one spool of the 8lb Tatsu and it was weaker than anything. I never have issues with Sunline FC Sniper.

[ogrich31]

I feel like Tatsu and Invisx are the fluoros with the best knot strength. They aren't my favorite though, although tatsu is a close 2nd or 3rd.

[Cal]

Very interesting ...

[Cracker]

Use Tatsu from Japan - R18 Flouro LTD and Hard, never had any issues.Very thin and strong fluorocarbon.

[Cal]

Use Tatsu from Japan - R18 Flouro LTD and Hard, never had any issues.Very thin and strong fluorocarbon.

That stuff is even better. It has an amber tint to it, correct? The original Tatsu in the US did too. That's the natural color of the resin. It didn't sell well in the US because of that amber tint. US anglers want their fluorocarbon to be clear, so Seaguar now puts it through an additional process to remove that tint. I think that does something to the line and while I've not experienced any deficiencies, it's always on my mind. That's why I find the comments above interesting.

[reason162]

Use Tatsu from Japan - R18 Flouro LTD and Hard, never had any issues.Very thin and strong fluorocarbon.

What's the difference between LTD and Hard?

[Cranky]

Would also be interested in the actual technical differences between Tatsu, R18 LTD, and R18 Hard. I’ve heard Tatsu and R18 LTD are both medium core with soft shell and R18 Hard is hard core with soft shell. Not sure if that’s true and I think all three are clear lines without any tint now. I’m under the impression Tatsu and R18 LTD are essentially identical lines. I’m a big fan of the R18 Hard, I use the 7# for braid to FC leader and it’s amazing line.

[Cal]

The STD is a general purpose line... the hard is intended for vertical bait presentations.

[Cracker]

Use Tatsu from Japan - R18 Flouro LTD and Hard, never had any issues.Very thin and strong fluorocarbon.

That stuff is even better. It has an amber tint to it, correct? The original Tatsu in the US did too. That's the natural color of the resin. It didn't sell well in the US because of that amber tint. US anglers want their fluorocarbon to be clear, so Seaguar now puts it through an additional process to remove that tint. I think that does something to the line and while I've not experienced any deficiencies, it's always on my mind. That's why I find the comments above interesting.

Cal,
The line I was getting, didn't have any amber tint. Looks the same as other Seaguar lines, just feels a tad thinner.

[Cracker]

Would also be interested in the actual technical differences between Tatsu, R18 LTD, and R18 Hard. I’ve heard Tatsu and R18 LTD are both medium core with soft shell and R18 Hard is hard core with soft shell. Not sure if that’s true and I think all three are clear lines without any tint now. I’m under the impression Tatsu and R18 LTD are essentially identical lines. I’m a big fan of the R18 Hard, I use the 7# for braid to FC leader and it’s amazing line.

As far as I know - Tatsu and R18 LTD are the same lines.
R18 BASS same as InviziX.

[Cracker]

Use Tatsu from Japan - R18 Flouro LTD and Hard, never had any issues.Very thin and strong fluorocarbon.

What's the difference between LTD and Hard?

The Hard has less stretch and more sensitive. I use it on my t-rig, jig combos.
Comes in 80M spools

[Cal]

Cal,
The line I was getting, didn't have any amber tint. Looks the same as other Seaguar lines, just feels a tad thinner.

ahhh poooh!