Hey, newbie here. I’m fishing for largemouth bass and I got an 8 foot tapered leader that’s 12 lb test. Guy at bass pro told me I can add tippet that’s 16 lb test, but it doesn’t make sense to me. Can I add tippet that’s thicker than the tapered leader, or will it mess it up? Or can I add the fly straight to the leader?
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by Stopthat86
No, do not ever add a heavier tippet to lighter tippet, or line or leader - ever. That would screw up the energy transfer in your cast, that guy has no idea what he's talking about and your intuition is correct. Personally I would do the opposite and add a few feet of 3x (~9lb tippet) and work off that. You don't have to do this though, it's easier to present the fly when it's heavier weight line to the fly and that might be a good thing for you.
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by MountainRangeFinder
Thank you. I might buy some 14 lb leader next time and a lighter tippet
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by Stopthat86
While I agree with your sentiment, when you're fishing an 8ft or less leader and big bass type flys the energy transfer is not really much of an issue. If you're talking a 12ft - 18ft leader and a size 20 nymph, sure all points stand.
OP; use what you have and don't over think it. If you have 12lb tapered leader on, and 16lb tippet handy, then by all means use that tippet. If it breaks for whatever reason, it will probably break at that knot. Conversely if you had 16lb leader and 12lb tippet, odds are its going to break at that knot. Not really a difference, right?
If you are fishing more than 1 fly, then tippet strength starts to matter more bc if your first fly is on the 12lb leader, 2nd fly is attached with 16lb tippet, well odds are you are going to break off at the 12lb leader and lose both flys. Make sense? fish on!
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by attaboyyy
I would not add 16lb to a 12lb leader. However, as you change flies you will slowly shorten the leader. Eventually you will get back to the point where it is 16lb+ at the end. Then you could add a length of 16lb.
I know some folks just use a length of 16-20lb test and skip the tapered leader.
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by Itwasntmenosir
Alright thank you I’ll keep that in mind
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by Stopthat86
I use straight 10lb fluro and it works just fine and it’s cheap. The berkley vanish series I think, got it at Walmart. Anyways, just cut about 4’ piece and tie a loop knot at one end to attach it to your fly line. I’ve been using an extra fast sink (7 ips) versileader with the 4’ of 12lb fluro for bass in lakes and some rivers with success. Best of luck!
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by MochileroTN
I wonder if he was talking about having a more bite resistant tiny tippet at the end a la wire leaders. If it was short enough I think you would still be able to cast. Idk, probably more likely he didnt know what he was talking about.
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by huntdawgin
Four foot leader of 14lb. If you are fishing bass bugs is plenty.....no tippet is necessary.
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