Could Some One School Me On The Difference Between Tippet And Leaders

[polock]

Ok, I use the quick connect leaders and usually just pick what size I need for what I am fishing with. My question is are tippets just a cut to length leader pretty much? what are the pros and cons of using tippet?

Also, anyone know of any good teachers for fly fishing taney? I am mainly a bass fly fisherman, and have never done that great on taney with flys. I would like to someday find someone to go fishing with for a day and learn some pointers.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Leader material (tippet) is the same diameter all the way thru whereas Leaders themselves are started at near 100lb and tapered down to near 7lbs or 4X (for example).

Tippet is added to the end of a leader to prolong its life. You do have to cut it yourself with the nippers to your desired length. I generally will add 2 feet of tippet to a 9ft leader making its total length 11ft. Once I will have used up the tippet - I 'll add more.

I would be glad to see you on the water and give you a helpful hint on where to fish, but there is a ton info you can get from this webpage alone on the wheres and how.

[jdmidwest]

Tippet is a piece of terminal line attached to the end of a leader. This is usually done to prolong the life of the leader. You can also adjust the length and size of the terminal end better. You can snip flies off the tippet section and tie more on during the day and still preserve the original length of the leader. It is usually the section that breaks off instead of losing a whole leader section when you snag.

[duckydoty]

Leaders are usually tapered in order to roll the fly over in the cast. They normally are 7 to 12 feet long and have a built in tippet section that is about 18 inches long. After you have changed flies a few times you will use up the built in section of tippet. With a spool of tippet you can add the section back in to the leader and continue to use it. Remember it is tapered and helps to roll the fly over in the cast or continues your cast from your fly line to your fly. You also use tippet if you need to down size or go to a smaller line. Just tie on the next smaller size of tippet to the leader. For example, you have a 4x leader and are fishing while the water is off at Upper Taney, you probably will not get many bites and will want to go with a smaller diameter line attached to your fly. Tie on some 5x tippet to the 4x leader and you will be a little more in the ball park of where you need to be for fishing Taney during the day.

With proper knot tying techniques there are no real disadvantages for using tippet. You can even make your own tapered leaders by starting with a large diameter tippet and tying consecutive sections of tippet each being the next size smaller down to the size tippet you desire. This would consist of several knots and time to tie, but will do in a pinch when you need a new leader.

Any time you want to fish Taney just give me a holler and I'll be glad to spend some time on the water with you

[polock]

Leader material (tippet) is the same diameter all the way thru whereas Leaders themselves are started at near 100lb and tapered down to near 5lbs.

Tippet is added to the end of a leader to prolong its life. You do have to cut it yourself with the nippers to your desired length. I generally will add 2 feet of tippet to a 9ft leader making its total length 11ft. Once I will have used up the tippet - I 'll add more.

I would be glad to see you on the water and give you a helpful hint on where to fish.

it isn't really where to fish, but trout technique. I have 24 years fishing expierence on the river for bass and other local fish on the current, but not much experience with trout. I am sure my casting could use a bit of work too because I was never taught by a pro, just watched some vids on youtube and learned to fly fish a few years back. I do well on smallmouth, goggle eye and panfish, but not so well for trout. So if you are down at giving pointers I am in. Oh, one major setback is that the only days I have free are wed and fri. I would love to be shown pointers and I respect the water.

and to both of you guys, thanks a ton, i now have tippet coming

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Understood. And by the amount of responses.. plenty of folks are excited to show you the ropes!