Bryan...
I used to make my own furled leaders, too......for some freshwater fishing.......I've stopped using them because modern leader materials and choices of different densities make it less necessary. (personal opinion)
For saltwater leaders, I only do limited furling of one portion of a tarpon leader when rigging for big fish. (I furl the double line coming out of the Bimini twist of the class tippet, then back-furl a loop there, "Furling the furl.") This yields a very small (1/4") dia. loop to use for a loop-to-loop connection to my butt section. The loop, because of the furl twist is, "spring loaded" allowing me to unwind it in an instant for a fast connection....then it springs back to its small diameter again.
This method prevents the rare loss of a jumping fish due to one of the two loops jumping over the other and catching on the loop knot which provides a stress riser culminating in breakage of even a 60 lb. mono butt section.
I started doing this after losing a potential record blue marlin on fly in Venezula several years ago. It's a bit of overkill, frankly, unless one is fishing for records or tournament fishing.
A much easier method is to simply attach the double line from the Bimini to the butt section with a double surgeon's knot.......but that makes leader/fly storage more cumbersome.
To finally answer your question, I'd say that few salt water anglers use furled leaders.
Gordy
From: "Bryan Nims" <brydnlnims@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Gordon Hill" <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Furled Leaders
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 08:25:07 -0600
Gordy,Recently a friend showed me how to make custom furled or twined leaders. I have gotten pretty good at it and would like to make some for saltwater and am curious to know if they would be preferred much for Bonefish, Tarpon etc,. I assume they would be made out of monofilament, if not, what material would be best? I have made several trout leaders so far, dry fly leaders and nymphing leaders. Since I have limited experience with saltwater - would like to be prepared. Thanks!