leader

Saltwater Fly-Fishing
1

I typically use 10-15lb tapered fluorocarbon, but I am tired of buying it. Whats the disadvantage of using nontapered leader, like 15-20lb fluorocarbon? Anyone make their own leader?

2

Yes. For Reds I use mono for all sections tapering down to 10-20# Floro for the tippet. Saves $ and turns over well enough for me.

3

I stopped using tapered leaders and went to straight 15lb fluoro for redfish. Haven’t had one problem yet.

Scout '282
tidewater '21

Oscar '10

4

I used all fluoro and was breaking fish off… I switched over to 6ft of 25-30lb mono with a 2ft 16-20lb fluoro tippet… have not broken or had a leader broken in 5 years…

“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- www.SCKayakfishing.com
www.lowcountryflyshop.com
Tarpon 160os

5
quote:
Originally posted by nikonjedi

I used all fluoro and was breaking fish off… I switched over to 6ft of 25-30lb mono with a 2ft 16-20lb fluoro tippet… have not broken or had a leader broken in 5 years…

“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- www.SCKayakfishing.com
www.lowcountryflyshop.com
Tarpon 160os

Knock on wood:smiley:
6

No… using the right leader and knowing how to fight a fish will do it… no knocking required…

“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- www.SCKayakfishing.com
www.lowcountryflyshop.com
Tarpon 160os

7

What kind of knots are you guys using to build your leaders?

8

Blood knot mostly. I have used a triple surgeon on the tippet section when on the water and in a hurry.

I use 4’ of 40#, 2’ of 30#, 2’ of 20#, 18" of 20# Floro.

9

I second TheIslander on the knots… I don’t like the step down like that though… too much work for too little turn over, plus too many points of failure/spots to snag grass. My leaders turn over just as well and I have a loop and one knot, besides if I am in a hurry I am not gonna tie a leader with 4 sections to it…

“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- www.SCKayakfishing.com
www.lowcountryflyshop.com
Tarpon 160os

10

4’ 40# mono, 3’ 30# mono, 2’ 20# flouro…4-3-2 leader, easy enough

Capt. James Newman
TidalFly Charters
803-446-0407
tidalfly@gmail.com
facebook.com/Tidalfly

11

Crimeny, just go buy a three pack of 20lb Rio tapered leaders and one spool of flouro tippet. That should last you through all the tailing tides for the rest of 2013.

A long long slow walk in the spartina gives you time to think big thoughts and put your mind back into order.

  • Flatscaster
12

Newman… that will never work… A redfish leader must be precisely 8.7234 feet and not a millimeter longer or the redfish will see it, it makes too much noise, casts too much of a shadow and they will never eat… plus you have the weights all wrong… it’s 130#, then 100# down to a 6# tippet… :wink:

BTW… I was just joking :wink: Leaders are as various and different as the fishermen throwing them… use what works for you…

“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- www.SCKayakfishing.com
www.lowcountryflyshop.com
Tarpon 160os

13

I really don’t recommend flouro. I have broken off so many fish on it I stopped using it years ago.

I tie all of my own leaders using 54" of 40#, 27"of 30#, and 27" of 20#.

Yes , in clear water at low tide in the winter I may add 24" of 12#, but that is rarely.

Trust me. Try this and you will never use anything else.