Tippet Size?

[Firefish]

Can a guy get by with 5x fluoro tippet when targeting the big boys? Or do I need to stick with 6x? I'm hoping you guys don't catch all of them by the time I get there in November.

[duckydoty]

You should be ok with 5x during the day. You stand a much better chance of getting the fish in faster with out killing it on 5x during the day. If your fishing after dark you should really beef it up to at least 10 lb. test. I've started using 12 lb. and will probably go up some more in another week or 2.

duckydoty

[Aeronikl]

I agree. 5X is OK for daytime...the right fly and presentation is more important than going with 6 or 7X. Even with 5X you will have to make every effort to get the fish in as fast as you can. I use mono or fluorocarbon fishing line for leader/tippit at night, trying to keep it a single piece to avoid using knots, and use 6 or 8# with smaller streamers during the "off-season" and 10 or 12# during the fall/winter runs. My biggest fish have been on 10#, landed quickly without problems but I am prepared to use up to 14#, but doubt that it would be necessary.

[jscheetz]

I have been fishing at Taney during certain times when I could catch fish 5 to 1 by going to smaller tippet (ie was using 6x and switched to 7x and started catching on every cast) so I think it depends on the situation - water color,temp, overcast, hungryness of fish etc etc - I would have all sizes on you just in case - sometimes instead of switching flies try a smaller tippet -

Just my experience -

JS

[Terry Beeson]

I think you hit the nail on the head Scheetz... You might start out with 5X and if you are targeting the bigguns, you might stick with that. But if you are not catching fish, I would keep a spool of 6-7X in my vest to change out to...

At night... you can pretty much toss glow-in-the-dark anchor chain from an aircraft carrier and still get hit. And like Ducky said, in a few weeks you'll wish that's what you had out there.

[Fishmeister]

You should be ok with 5x during the day. You stand a much better chance of getting the fish in faster with out killing it on 5x during the day. If your fishing after dark you should really beef it up to at least 10 lb. test. I've started using 12 lb. and will probably go up some more in another week or 2.

duckydoty

I have been trying to decipher this tippet leader thing myself. I am new to flyfishing and have only fished during the day. Generally use leader one size larger than my tippet usually 5 or 6. I am going to try night fishing tommorrow night and was wondering what leader, tippet and lengths I should try. I plan on throwing woolies and sculpins, size not sure? 6-10, guess I will decide when I know what a six and a 10 looks like! lol Thanks

[Aeronikl]

Try not to be confused with leader and tippet sizes. Where a tapered leader with tippet material tied onto it may be the way to go during the day, at night, there is no need for anything other than using a fluorocarbon or other good quality mono fishing line for the final connection of flyline to bug. Where tapered leaders and tippets are always referred to by 0X-7X or whatever, even though each has a pound rating, as well. Mono, as you know, is sized by a pound rating, and the diameter is listed as additional information (this can be helpful when comparing brands or material used).

I know others may use several different sizes of mono, maybe starting with 20# followed by pieces of 12 or 14# with a terminal piece of 6 - 12# line to tie the fly on, the whole rig being 6 - 9' long, just like a tapered leader that you can buy ready to use. I used to always tie on some 20# mono first followed by lighter line, but I don't do it anymore. I've never had a piece of line break at the loop or in the line, but I've had knots come apart with a big fish where I tied lighter line to it. If my line gets too short after changing a lot of flies, I can always add some more, but if big fish are around, I will usually tie a new piece onto the flyline.

My experience is that I don't have to change flies at night as often as during the day. More often than not, it's because the fish have torn the bug up. Not a bad problem to have. As far as length, I've seen people use as little as 3- 4' of line/leader on the end of a flyline at night. It works well, and can be easier to cast. Keep the whole rig simple, since the fish don't care at night. My rods are set-up now with 8'leaders made of 10# fluorocarbon (5 wt. rod, 12# (6 wt. rod) and 14# (8 wt. rod) for night fishing. The leader is tied to the flyline with a simple loop connection. When the really big fish aren't around, I use 6# on the 5 wt. and 8# on the 6 wt., and use smaller bugs, nothing over size 4.

There are plenty of folks around who can help you with line/leader/tippet sizes when you are on the water. The conditions determine what you can use. Don't be afraid to ask. Good luck.

[Fishmeister]

Aeronikl, thanks for your reply. I thought that was what you were saying in your earlier post but that really clarifies it for me. One more question, when you say connect leader to fly line with a simple loop connection, exactly what does that mean. My fly line has a loop built into it, are you tieing a loop in the leader then loop to loop or are you tieing leader directly to the fly line? appreciate your help!!

[Firefish]

Thanks for the info. This will be my first trip to Taney during the brown run, and also the first time I'll get to try some night fishing, so I'm really looking forward to it.

[Aeronikl]

I tie a loop in my leader material and connect the loops just like the instructions for any of the looped leaders you buy. Slip the loop of the flyline through the loop of the leader and pull the end of the leader through the loop of the flyline and pull tight. No one has mentioned it, but the cost savings of using mono for a leader at night should be obvious. Compare the cost of a 9' packaged tappered leader with a roll of quality mono/fluorocarbon - and you can get many leaders out of a small roll...small enough to keep in your vest at night.