Fluorocarbon leaders and tippet
- This topic has 39 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated Aug 10, 2006 at 3:11 am by
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I really prefrer the flourocarbon leaders because they are stiffer, I think they turn big flies over and they cast better in extreme heat.
I started using fluoro Frog Hair leaders and tippet last year when fishing the Gray Reef in Wyoming.
I use the same setup as a couple of you do. I use a regular cheap mono leader. But I generally always use fluoro tippet. I have had very few if any breakoffs or failed connections since I made the switch to fluoro a couple of years ago. I just don’t see any advantages to going to a full flouro leader though. I am pretty convinced that the fluoro tippet makes a difference. I have one friend who won’t shell out the $$ for the fluoro (and he can definitely afford it) and we have been fishing side by side several times and I generally always catch more fish than he does.
I would be interested to know what brand of fluoro tippet some of the rest of you use? I have always used Rio. And it seems like a great product. But I’ve heard that Seguar? – has the highest strength to diameter ratio and that Climax is pretty good as well. The only other brand I’ve tried is the Cabela’s house brand. It was not satisfactory. I found it brittle especially in colder weather.
Greg
Thanks for all the replies. I’m using mono leaders and fluoro tippet (rio) and having no problems. I do a triple surgeon’s knot just to make sure because I was told that they don’t hold as well as mono-mono or fluoro-fluoro.
Interesting topic…I had always been told that mixing Fluorocarbon tippet with mono leaders would defeat the purpose…however, I have never tried it.
If I really had any brains at all about the cost, I’d just buy the large spools of fluoro line that the spin fishermen use, and re-fill the little tippet spools when they get empty.
I’ve just recently begun doing that very thing. A few weeks ago I bought a large spool of the Vanish for $10. It works just fine. The only thing is that it does not come in the smaller sizes. Their 2 lb is the same diameter as the Rio 5X. I’m pretty sure the Vanish in the 2 lb size would test much higher than “2 lbs”. It seems just as strong as the Rio 5X. So I’m using it when I’m slinging streamers but when I’m midging I use 6 or even 7X – there is not anything but the expensive stuff available in that size that I am aware of.
Greg
Do what I do I buy Fluoroflex Plus guide spools 110 yards for 31.95. I get them at the fly shop i’m sure you could find them anywhere.
Well here’s 100 Yards for around $12 if anyone needs some .013 for some reason (smaller than 0x).
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/2249,70868_Orvis-Mirage-Fluorocarbon-Tippet-Material-25-yds.html
They had a few other, more standard, sizes but sold out.
I’ve been using this for awhile now and I honestly can’t tell any difference except price. I buy cheap mono spools and refill them with this stuff, 7X, 6X, 5X. Another cool thing about it is you don’t have to be conservative with your tippet and a full spool lasts forever.
Well, after doing some looking, there does seem to be a difference in strength/diameter between the larger line spools and tippet. For example, 6 lb. Seaguar has a diameter of .008. Since tippet X-sizes are measured by diameter, this is equivalent to 3x tippet. But the Rio Fluoroflex Plus 3x is rated at 8.5 lb. test. Going down to 4lb. Seaguar, it is .007, which is equivalent to 4x, but the Rio 4x is rated at 7 lb. test – so if the testing on all the lines is accurate, the tippet material is significantly stronger.
I haven’t seen Seaguar (or any other large spools of fluoro line) for sale around here in weights less than 4lb. test. Thus, the equivalent of 5x, 6x, or 7x would be hard to find. Plus, in those very fine x-sizes, you need all the extra strength you can get anyway.
So I guess now I can feel better about spending $12 on the tippet spools.
bd
25 yards for $12 vs 200 yards for $15 = $81 savings x3 = $243. IMO that makes it worth the .000 whatever difference to me. If I can’t get a pellet fed Trout to bite on 2# fluro then I’ll move on to a more stupid Trout.
25 yards for $12 vs 200 yards for $15 = $81 savings x3 = $243. IMO that makes it worth the .000 whatever difference to me.
Fine by me – you just won’t be able to fish with anything smaller than 4x.
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