8X Tippet?

[fishinwrench]

7x flouro has a definite place in MO trout fishing (#22-24 Drys). I can still manage 7x on a 5wt for park trout.

8x is uncalled for IMO unless you're big on 2wt. micro-midge fishing in the Wintertime.

I got into that for awhile and it's fun. Everyone should at least try it long enough to learn the technique. You can't really consider yourself "well schooled" until you have spent some time micro-fishing.

[Ham]

I've been looking into Tenkara for micro stuff. Maybe just maybe I can manage light stuff then.

[ozark trout fisher]

I think it depends on skill level as much as anything. I consider myself to be a decent fly fisher at this point, but I really don't want to try to haul in a 20 inch brown on a 7x tippet. For me, both of the two outcomes are going to be bad (I land the fish and he dies from the ridiculously long fight, or he breaks off.) Anything else is too unlikely to even be worth contemplating.

I know this from experience. I got a little "confused" on the absolute necessity of light tippet early in my fly fishing career. I read somewhere (probably on here) that I needed to use 7x, so I did that for 100% of my trout fishing for a year. Even big streamers. Dumb, I know, but fly fishing can be complicated when you don't know what the heck is going on.

I still laugh at some of the moments that misunderstanding created. And while I'll use 6x fairly often in touchy situations, I still prefer not to dip below 5x if I can avoid it. During that one year I heard my tippet go "snap" enough times to last a lifetime.

[JCW355]

Ive used 8x on a size 32 spinner fall before. You have to remind yourself,when using lighter tippet, to basically just lift the rod on a hookset or it is going to snap. Lighter tippet has its place at certain times and situations. I like to use as big a tippet as possible and still catch fish but will adjust if I think I need to change. The lightest ive used this summer has been 6.5x and I will say that I like the trouthunter fluoro tippet better than the orvis fluoro I was using.

[fishinwrench]

They typically don't fight as hard in the Winter when using tiny stuff truly pays off. I've landed rainbows up to 18" on 7x and never over-exhausted either of us.

[brittsnbirds]

You guys ever go all the way down to 8x when the water is this low and clear? Just picked up a spool while at Liley's last weekend on my Tanneycomo trip but it looks so small I would hate to hook anything with much weight to it.

Thoughts?

I never go that far down on tippet. I am currently using braided leader with nothing smaller than 7x fluro. 7x is the lowest especially when I'm getting my butt handed to me by NoLuck and I'm trying to get an edge on him. I use 5 to 6x fluro when stripping CB's or streamers deep. 8x is a waste of time and $$ IMO. Plus it put's too much stress on the fish if you catch and release.

[jdmidwest]

The braided leaders have a little more give that tends to protect the tippet better than standard tapered leaders. I have used the Orvis braided leaders for year with good success. The only breakoffs I have are the ones I get in a hurry on and let it happen or the tippet is knicked by a rock.

Furled leaders are the same way. Tapered mono leaders only stretch to the point of what the mono will allow. Others use a bungee system to protect the lighter tippets.

One other thing about tippet, make sure it is fresh. Orvis has been dating it for years now and it does go bad and break down. I have seen it get so brittle it will not hold a knot.

[NoLuck]

Hey if you can use 6x on San Juan trout you can certainly use 7x in MO. LOL

It all depends on your hook setting ability or finesse. Plus a really soft spine rod. Using a longer mono tapered leader say like 9 ft long and then tying on an additional 3 ft of 8x flouro may give you enough flex to keep from breaking off real easy too.

Personally I rarely use anything other than 6x flouro. I have tried 7x on occasion but it doesn't really help that much to me.

[ozark trout fisher]

Ive used 8x on a size 32 spinner fall before. You have to remind yourself,when using lighter tippet, to basically just lift the rod on a hookset or it is going to snap. Lighter tippet has its place at certain times and situations. I like to use as big a tippet as possible and still catch fish but will adjust if I think I need to change. The lightest ive used this summer has been 6.5x and I will say that I like the trouthunter fluoro tippet better than the orvis fluoro I was using.

#32, and 8x? That's hardcore. I do admire people that have the patience for that kind of thing.

The way I fish a tiny hatch like that is by pretending it doesn't exist and tying on a #16 Hare's Ear Nymph. There are usually a few fish with enough sense to ignore the tiny stuff.

[DoveTail]

I find it all but impossible to use 7x. I break off always every hookset. My bad i know, but I can hardly imagine trying to use 8X.

One thing to consider is the knot. There are some comparison charts showing the percentage a particular knot reduces the strength of the line. There are some knots that are around 100% of the line test (tippet) where others the knots will cut into the line. If the water is moving, you can obviously get away with large tippet. It is the calm clear pools where the fine tippet is needed. 8x is small, but I have used it for the stocker trout at the park. 7x works even on 6lb trout but you HAVE to get them in calm water, you are not going to be able to handle any decent fish in current.