Favorite Tippets/leaders

[stlfisher]

I use mostly RIO 9ft tapered leaders (can't cast anything much longer than that) in 4x and then add tippet accordingly. I tried a Seagur fluro leader, but it was like $11 or something crazy and that was enough. I fish a ton, bluegill, bass, and trout so I go threw leaders like crazy. I am thinking of just buying some heavy mono for a leader and then adding tippet as needed and save the store bough leaders for the dry flies. My buddy does this and seems to catch just as many if not more than I do. The money I spend on leaders is border line crazy.

[Danoinark]

I use Poly leaders and furled leaders exclusively simply because I like the suppleness of them. I like RIO tippet material. Just seems to work best for me.

Dano

[Mitch f]

I don't use a fly rod but I have three rods that always have braid tied on. I use a double uni knot to attach the the leader material. The suppleness of a leader is of no importance to me because I usually don't use more than a rods length of leader. I was interested to find out if anyone has used the new "Ice" fluorocarbon line? It was developed for ice fishing and apparently has a greater knot and tensile strength in the freezing conditions. Since I do quite a bit of winter fishing this peaked my interest.

[Jack Hollister]

I havent bought a leader in years.....I tie my own using Berkley Vanish fluro. I start with 12lb test and work my way down to 4lb, using 2lb incermints, and maybe finish with 2lb if I feel its needed. I tie on 2 to 3 foot pieces at a time. Works great for me. I bought the big spools to spool other reals and started using the left over to tie leaders.

[radiatorman]

Invest in a furled leader they are pretty much indestructable and last forever. I never would come off the money to buy one but a buddy made me one a few months ago and I'm sold, will never be without one. Tie a surgeons loop in leader and one in tippett, makes for a really quick change.

[Hopper]

I build my own furled leaders(youtube/ furled leaders)the vidieo is by flatlanders guide service. build the leaders by what weight rod you are using I.E. 4/5 wt 4 lb test super easy and fast to make and a small spool will last you forever. One leader will last a year or more and only cost a few cents to make. Almost zero memory, they turn over easy and if you get a wind knot they come out easy. I use Orvis fluoro carbon tippet about a 3 ft. section. and for drys 2 lb furled leader 8x fluro tippet on a 3 wt. You will save enough not having to by leaders that buying the fluoro tippet is not a big deal, you'll catch alot more fish

Gregg

[Greg]

I really like Orvis Mirage fluoro the best for tippit. It just seems the most supple and break resistant. For leaders I use tapered mono leaders. I like Rio leaders the best but the bass pro brand is pretty good too and cheaper.

I can generally get a lot of use out of a 9 ft leader. The leader gradually becomes shorter but I'll extend the life by tying on some mono tippet and then the fluoro tippet.

Greg

[Al Agnew]

Leaders...whatever I find on sale. I bought a pile of 12 ft. 7x mono leaders a few years back when they were on sale really cheap, don't remember the brand, but they said something like "spring creek special". I'd just cut them down to 7 or 8 feet, figuring I'd then have something like 3x. Finally ran out of them this spring. Now I've got some of various brands that are 7.5 ft. and range from 0x to 4x. I've been using a 4 wt., 5 wt., and 6 wt. rod out here in Montana...generally the 4 wt. is for dries, the 5 wt. for nymphs, and the 6 wt. for streamers. I've got a 4x leader on the 4 wt., a 3x on the 5 wt., and a 2x on the 6 wt., because the rivers out here are low and clear right now. Ordinarily when the streamer fishing is good the river is off color and I'd have on 0x on the streamer rod, and 2x on the nymph rod. Not that I'm too concerned about the fish seeing the line, but because I'm using smaller flies and streamers right now and I match the leader and tippet to the size of the fly.

I had to go out to my fly pack and check to see what brand of tippet I'm using...it's Rio right now, but I have a bunch of extra spools that are several different brands. I use fluoro for nymphs and streamers, and mono for dry flies. I carry 0x to 4x in fluoro, and 3x to 6x in mono, and like the leaders, I match the tippet to the size of the fly, not worrying too much about visibility in clear water.

As my leader gets shorter and shorter, I'll add pieces of tippet to lengthen it. But I really like a leader without a bunch of knots, because the knots tend to occasionally cause tangles.

[ozark trout fisher]

Would it be totally evil to suggest that the Walmart brand (I believe they call it "Courtland Fairplay") works perfectly alright, and is pretty darn cheap to boot? I'll happily go to a fly shop and pay good money for well tied flies, but not leaders or tippet. I do like to have flourocarbon around sometimes for nymphing, but I consider that an accessory as opposed to a necessity. Many times when I'm out fishing I'll have nothing besides one spool of 6x mono. Simplicity is important.

To be fair, lately I have been breaking that simplicity a little by carrying a spool of 3x for streamer fishing.

[Robert]

I havent bought a leader in years.....I tie my own using Berkley Vanish fluro. I start with 12lb test and work my way down to 4lb, using 2lb incermints, and maybe finish with 2lb if I feel its needed. I tie on 2 to 3 foot pieces at a time. Works great for me. I bought the big spools to spool other reals and started using the left over to tie leaders.

I tie my own leaders. It is not rocket science, and they work really well. I even use my hand ties on steel head and Atlantic Salmon.