best line for live bait leader?

sometime it gets all messed up and sometimes it doesn't. I haven't paid enough attention to what type of line i'm using in either condition.

Any ideas?

I use 14lb Berkely (I think) Vanish.

i have decided on 12lb flouro - also vanish because its cheaper..

For Hali's I use 20 flour. Lighter for non toothy critters

14 and 12 lb.....you guys are much braver than I 

if a fish beats me then it beats me.  i love a challenge. havent had a fish break a leader in a long while (last one was a mondo trout that broke my 4lb leader)

can't remember the last time i landed a fish greater than 12lbs anyways =)

If I was live bait fishing for lings or if a halibut ever does break my 14lb leader (knock on wood) I'd step it up to 17lb. 

For Hali I have been using 12lb Maxima ultragreen and never had a problem. I like to make sure that the leader is lighter than the main line in case of a snag.

I like Maxima flourocarbon in 20lb for halis. I also tie a Rapala knot to the hook to let the hook swing around freely so the bait can swim more naturally.

for halibut in the ocean, 17lb flouro usually maxima.

when it breaks it's usually at the snell which means my fault.

Allen

In my opinion Halibut are not particularly line shy. I usually use 25# minimum and often 30# clear Ande for halibut leaders. Halibut have lots of sharp teeth and I've lost a couple fish before when they bit through lighter leaders. My mainline is usually 12# or 15# test I just like to use a thicker leader to prevent being bitten off.

A side benefit to the thicker leader material is that it is easier to manage and will get tangled less than the lighter lines will.

As far as hooks go I like either the 1/0 Gamakatsu octopus or the 2/0 Owner mosquitos tied on with a perfection loop for maximum swim factor.

-Eliot

  What are the fish doing, knawing the line like a dog chews on a bone?  I thought the hook was the only thing supposed in the mouth.

if the fish swallows the hook, then they could get their teeth on the line.

circle hooks can prevent that but some people feel there is a lesser hookup ratio on that.  i havent had a problem with it.

Yeah As soon as I posted, I thought of just that.  Oh well it sounded funny anyways.