View Full Version : DT 5X (4lb) leader with a 4X(6lb) tippet ?
Lamplighter
06-20-2009, 12:47 PM
I've read that the size of the leader should be close the size of the line and the size of the tippet matches to the size of the fly. But I'm confused with the above setup as suggested by a tackle shop owner... I don't understand the logic of a 5X leader (4lb) with a 4X tippet (6lb).
Shouldn't the wts be reversed to avoid breaking leader before the tippet ?
mkwerx
06-20-2009, 01:46 PM
That doesn't make a lot of sense unless the 4X is used as a kind of shock tippet. I would tie a 4X or 5X tippet to a 4X tapered leader. I really don't think I'd go with the larger tippet on the smaller leader.
If you're going for shock-tippet usage, I would think you'd upsize a bit larger than just the next thickest diameter. Maybe 5X tippet with a 2 or 3X shock tippet, but that still wouldn't make a lot of sense in any freshwater fishing condition I can think of.
The rule that I was taught regarding tippet to leader is the tippet can be no more than two sizes smaller that the leader, for example 3x leader then 4x or 5x tippet. If you have a 3x leader and you want to drop to a 6x or 7x tippet then you have to tie in an intermediate sized piece of tippet either 4x or 5x and tie the smaller tippet to that piece.
mkwerx
06-21-2009, 11:36 AM
The rule that I was taught regarding tippet to leader is the tippet can be no more than two sizes smaller that the leader, for example 3x leader then 4x or 5x tippet. If you have a 3x leader and you want to drop to a 6x or 7x tippet then you have to tie in an intermediate sized piece of tippet either 4x or 5x and tie the smaller tippet to that piece.
Generally this is a good rule. There are some knots that allow you to go to a smaller tippet off a heavier leader - but you're probably going to have issues turning the fly over. And if you're going for "shock tippet" with heavier tippet than leader end, you're probably still going to want to use an intermediate section.
Honestly it sounds like the advice the OP was given was kind of backwards, and the guy who gave it to him might've just transposed tippet/leader. 4X leader w/ 5X tippet makes a lot more sense than 5X leader and 4X tippet...
Trout
06-21-2009, 02:43 PM
Generally this is a good rule. There are some knots that allow you to go to a smaller tippet off a heavier leader - but you're probably going to have issues turning the fly over. And if you're going for "shock tippet" with heavier tippet than leader end, you're probably still going to want to use an intermediate section.
Honestly it sounds like the advice the OP was given was kind of backwards, and the guy who gave it to him might've just transposed tippet/leader. 4X leader w/ 5X tippet makes a lot more sense than 5X leader and 4X tippet...
:yeahthat: