I am new to this game, so forgive the novice questions. If I have one of the RIO tapered leaders, do I also need a tippet for a redfish fly rig, or do I just tie the fly directly to the leader?
A foot & a half of 20lb works well for me at the end of my leader. I like 20lb fluorocarbon.
quote:Yes and no. Just the answer you wanted to hear, right? :wink:
Originally posted by KiawahCoastI am new to this game, so forgive the novice questions. If I have one of the RIO tapered leaders, do I also need a tippet for a redfish fly rig, or do I just tie the fly directly to the leader?
I buy the leader to match the mid range of what I expect to catch. Like the Rio tapered redfish leader. Then, I can (and do) tie directly to the leader OR add a more abrasive resistant tippet if I am fishing in nasty (heavy oysters) conditions OR add a light weight clear tippet to fish in clear water for trout. Just remember that adding a lot (18 or 24 inches) of tippet will change the characteristics of the leader. Likely for the worst. These are just MY thoughts.
I used to use a 20lb Flouro butt section and a 10-15lb flouro tippet… I broke off a lot of fish and had to tie a lot of new flies… I couldn’t figger out what was wrong, it was perfect for trout but the reds were eating me alive. Mad Mike schooled me on flouro… great abrasion resistance that you want in the grass but it breaks… so I use a 20lb mono but section and a flouro tippet. Works like a charm now 
I can still turn over big flies and the mono acts like a shock absorber and I have only lost reds to a stupid trout set and horsin them not leader breaks anymore…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
I used a 17 or 20lb tappered leader and added 18-24 inches of 17-20lb flouro. This worked, however I am a hook setter. What can I say when I strip set I strip set, and I was breaking fish off. I now use a 20lb abrasion resistant tappered leader, and add 18-24 inches of silverthread line. Works great and really cuts down on the number of fish I break off. The other benefit for me, who needs to be cost conscience, is that adding the mono to my leader makes that leader last me quite a while. It has really cut down on how many leaders I go through. I usually use 7.5 foot leaders, plus my tippet section, but most of my fishing is high tides in the spring-summer-fall time frame. If I got to fish more during the clear water of winter I would probably switch to a 17 lb 9 foot leader.
John
JohnH0802
Excuse my long diatribe, but learn to tie a perfection loop and blood knot and you won’t have to buy any more leaders. Buy some spools of mono and fluoro and you’ll have plenty of leaders for years to come.
For general use with an 8 wt, I start with a 3’ butt section of 50# mono, 2’ 40# mono, 1’ 30# mono, 1’ 20# mono, and finish off with 2’ of 15# fluoro.
If fishing in the grass, I’ll shorten the leader. Shorter turns over heavier flies better, and also is less to get hung in the grass. 3’ 50# mono, 2’ 40# mono, 1’ 30# mono, and 1 1/2’ - 2’ 20# fluoro for total length of 7 1/2’ - 8’.
If fishing in super clear water, I’ll go a little longer and more fluoro towards the end. Usually fishing lighter flies in clearer water and usually around more oyster rakes. 4’ 50# mono, 2’ 40# mono, 1.5’ 30# mono, 1’ 20# fluoro, and 2’ 15# fluoro for total length of 10.5’
I also finish all my blood knots off with a little RIO UV knot sealer - slicks 'em up some and makes them a little less likely to get hung up on grass, etc.
“3’ butt section of 50# mono, 2’ 40# mono, 1’ 30# mono, 1’ 20# mono, and finish off with 2’ of 15# fluoro.”
DANG… thats a LOT of knots and points of failure… I know it works for you FF but for someone new that is a little overwhelming. Once you get a little more experience ya may try this route but I really suggest getting a tapered leader and when that last 2’ or so is clipped off and gets too short, tie on a new flouro tippet and it’ll work.
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
quote:And how's he going to attach that new tippet? A blood knot, perhaps? :wink:
Originally posted by nikonjediDANG… thats a LOT of knots and points of failure… I know it works for you FF but for someone new that is a little overwhelming. Once you get a little more experience ya may try this route but I really suggest getting a tapered leader and when that last 2’ or so is clipped off and gets too short, tie on a new flouro tippet and it’ll work.
Sure, tying your own leaders involves a few more knots and subsequently, more points for failure. But let’s be honest, once you’ve got the blood knot down, it’s simply repetition.
Yes, buying pre-made leaders and adding tippet as needed is the easier way of doing things. But tying your own provides infinite customizability for various situations.
(And I’ve been tying my own from the get-go and never had one fail anywhere other than the tippet or first section of 20# mono - NEVER at the knots)
Edited to add - Please don’t take this as me being “high and mighty” and that I think that tying your own leaders is the only way to do things. If you want to buy your own leaders - cool, go for it. But don’t be afraid to tie your own - it’s not that hard and has a tremendous advantage over store-bought leaders, in my opinion.
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FF you are one of the good guys here who is always helping out and passing on info, I didn’t take ya as high and mighty. Some of us like a simple leader and something we can carry 2 spools of line and make them on the fly, and there are others like you that prefer a different style. It’s all good. When I first started I tried to tie my own leaders and it was a big PITA for me. I spent more time tying up leaders than fishing. All of us find our way of doing stuff and none of them are wrong as long as they work for YOU. 
So far this forum is really sans d-bags so no worries brother.
PS: KiwahCoast, FF is a lunatic, ignore him and do it my way it is the only way to catch fish… HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
quote:
Originally posted by KiawahCoastI am new to this game…do I just tie the fly directly to the leader?
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Yes you can. That is not a problem.Welcome to fly fishing.