Tippet for Bass

[FishnDave]

After a number of seasons of having too many bass break my 8lb test mono tippet when flyfishing with poppers and larger streamers, I switched up to 10lb test.  That helped, but still had too many breakoffs.  I've switched to 12lb Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon tippet when fishing for bass with 6wt or 7wt rod.  Its helped tremendously.  Now broken tippet and lost flies  & fish are very uncommon.]

Although Fluoro sinks, I still like using it, even if fishing poppers.  Sunlight doesn't degrade the fluoro line like it does monofilament line, and fluoro is also much more resistant to abrasion.  A side benefit is Fluoro is also less "stretchy" than mono, so I think I get better hookups.

It took me years to figure this out, so I'm hoping some less experienced fly anglers here might shorten their own learning curve.

[fishinwrench]

Yep, I use 10 and 12# Seaguar InvisX flourocarbon for bass tippet for poppers and big streamers, even around heavy cover.  You can really lean on it. 

I use the same stuff in 8# for White bass and for river smallies in clear water.

[tangledup]

On 12/11/2019 at 12:18 PM, FishnDave said:

After a number of seasons of having too many bass break my 8lb test mono tippet when flyfishing with poppers and larger streamers, I switched up to 10lb test.  That helped, but still had too many breakoffs.  I've switched to 12lb Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon tippet when fishing for bass with 6wt or 7wt rod.  Its helped tremendously.  Now broken tippet and lost flies  & fish are very uncommon.]

Although Fluoro sinks, I still like using it, even if fishing poppers.  Sunlight doesn't degrade the fluoro line like it does monofilament line, and fluoro is also much more resistant to abrasion.  A side benefit is Fluoro is also less "stretchy" than mono, so I think I get better hookups.

It took me years to figure this out, so I'm hoping some less experienced fly anglers here might shorten their own learning curve.

Can I use this tippet set up on a 5wt rod and line rig?

[snagged in outlet 3]

37 minutes ago, tangledup said:

Can I use this tippet set up on a 5wt rod and line rig?

Sure you could.  A 5 weight is a little lighter than optimal but it will get the job done.   Heavy flies will be tough on it.  

[tangledup]

Thanks! Eventually I want to get a 6 or 7 weight setup for bass fishing but I’m going to save up for a little bit to get a good one. Of course I’m also in the process of looking for a short 3wt for fishing the local brushy trout streams. My “want” list is just too long!

[tjm]

My 8# mono must stronger than yours or your fish must be a lot bigger than mine. I'm not sure I recall ever breaking a bass off on 8#, but then my biggest bass was only ~5#.   I don't like any heavier than 8# tippet because then I can't easily break off those trees and slab boulders. I hate pulling in a 100# log or mess of old fence wire.  Some days I drop down to 6# if fishing shallow in root balls.  

The sinking of tippet was once a desirable thing with dry flies (I guess poppers too) because it was said that fish didn't see it as easily, I forget after forty years if it was shadow or reflected glare that made floating tippet visible. Being mostly a wet fly user I never paid much attention to tippet other than knot strength.

[fishinwrench]

40 minutes ago, tjm said:

My 8# mono must stronger than yours or your fish must be a lot bigger than mine. I'm not sure I recall ever breaking a bass off on 8#, but then my biggest bass was only ~5#.   I don't like any heavier than 8# tippet because then I can't easily break off those trees and slab boulders. I hate pulling in a 100# log or mess of old fence wire.  Some days I drop down to 6# if fishing shallow in root balls.  

The sinking of tippet was once a desirable thing with dry flies (I guess poppers too) because it was said that fish didn't see it as easily, I forget after forty years if it was shadow or reflected glare that made floating tippet visible. Being mostly a wet fly user I never paid much attention to tippet other than knot strength.

Yeah I don't break 8#, not on fish anyway.   I believe he said he was using Vanish (which is junk) so that may explain that right there.

[tjm]

Not all mono is created equal, I've been a Chameleon fan for a long time, with Rio being tops at sizes under 3#, i keep trying the latest "best' and keep going back. I really liked Nylorfi  but that just disappeared suddenly from the market, never knew why.

7 hours ago, tangledup said:

Can I use this tippet set up on a 5wt rod and line rig?

If you want my leader for that application, it's 30" of  20# + 24" of 15# + 30" of 8# - all Chameleon, all approximate lengths all connected with grapevine bends. If you have trouble turning the fly over shorten the first two sections by a few inches, if you want heavier tippet  to fish lilies or choke weed on top, substitute   12# for the 8#.  Probably could sub Stren or Ande for all parts but I've not used either in years and don't know if the current product is the same. I've never been a Berkley fan. I have never met a store bought leader that  I liked.   If the poppers are too much for the 5wt try a gurgler, I don't think I've  fished a popper in years. A hopper or stimulator or rubber legs spider all do about the same thing. 

[FishnDave]

On 4/11/2020 at 1:42 PM, fishinwrench said:

Yeah I don't break 8#, not on fish anyway.   I believe he said he was using Vanish (which is junk) so that may explain that right there.

You may have something there.  A friend of mine has experienced very similar results with Vanish: too many break-offs on the lines under 12lb test.  Seems less expensive than some other fluoro tippet options, and we get what we pay for.  I fish a lot of poppers for bass, and it may be that the fluoro isn't the best with repeated hard jerks of working the popper.  But I do like its other features.  No single line is perfect for all applications, I suppose.  Also, the rods may factor in as well.  I like fast action rods, and they don't protect tippet as well as a medium fast rod, for example.

Maybe I should try Seaguar?

[fishinwrench]

4 hours ago, FishnDave said:

Maybe I should try Seaguar?

Seaguar InvisX is excellent tippet material.  I've tried almost everything available and it's my #1 choice. 

I use a perfection loop on the leader end, and a no-slip loop knot on the fly.   And I'll even occasionally keep fishing after I notice a wind knot in the tippet.....cuz I get lazy sometimes.....and still have no break-off problems.