Best tippets

Can anyone recommed good tippet and leader products? I have tried several and find that some seem to break knots or are just weaker than I expected. (Trout fishing western states)

What size tippet material are you using?
Some sizes do break easier than others.
Perhaps you are not using heavy enough.
What knot are you using?
I have never had a surgeons knot fail.

I've been using Rio and have had no problems. Don't have a clue how they stack up versus other brands. Started with them and have stayed out of satisfaction.

I like Umpqua tippet. To me it seems more supple than anything else on the market, and I like that.

Jeremy

I have good luck with Frog Hair. Besides that they are a FAOL sponsor.

[This message has been edited by ridgeliner (edited 06 March 2006).]

I like the Orvis Mirage Fluorocarbon tippets. -Migs

While I am not a skilled caster by any stretch, I just buy high quality 4lb test floro-coated fishing line for my tippet... is this horribly bad? heck I use it as my leader as well... works fine for panfish and bass (I'd up it to a 6 or 8 lb test if I was targetting bass with a popper or something) this is on my 4wt btw... I'd use 12lb or so on my 8wt... something much nastier on my 10 for salt...

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Colt45
Tomball, TX

I started with SA tippets and leader and then switched to Rio. I am happier with the Rio, but then that may just be me. I thought the Rio was a bit more durable. As far as knot failure, if I have a failure at the knot, it is usually a poorly tied knot in my case.

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Take care everyone and cya around. Mark

Colt45, I don't think you are wrong for useing regular fishing line, tippet is expensive. I use P-Line for my sinking lines instead of leader. I am not familiar with your type of fishing but if finnes is not an issue and you don't need taper, why not.
I use Frogs Hair and Orvis Flouro on my tapers (reason is they are smaller diameter than the fishing line and strong)


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she who dies with the most toy's wins.

I like Frog's Hair. Lots of people tell me they like Orvis Super Strong but I find that the 5X and 6X breaks way too easily given my rookie ways.

I agree with ridgeliner & Diane...Frog's Hair. A fine line of products & also an FAOL sponsor. At shows, they provide excellent information & will field all questions. IMHO, a real good outfit!
Mike

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This site's about sharing!

Mono 1X-8X - Orvis Super Strong, no complaints and I've been using it for ever. For the days I feel challenged, Varivas Mono in 9X-10X.

Fluoro 6X-8X - Varivas or Rio Powerflex, amazingly strong in the 7x I use all the time.

Rio all the way for me. Had problems with Orvis. I love the floroflex the best for trout, it has in my best guess saved the day for me in the 7x range. Like the poohbah says you gotta make up your mind as to what you like in a leader. Unfortunatly this requires some denero. I do think the rio flouro is over priced but it works so well....... for me!

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"A smart man learns from his mistakes,
A wise man learns from others"

I just use quality flourocarbon fishing line for tippets. P-Line and Seaguar are good brands. Leader material can be total garbage because its gonna break at the tippet.

I use blood knots for line to line and the trilene knot for the line to hook. These are the knots I learned as a steelheader and they are proven on big fish.

Look into Airflo leaders, and their Sightfree Fluorocarbon tippit, it comes in 50 meter where Orvis is 30 and Scientific is 25 meters ans only a few dollars more. Most guides are going to the Fluoro tippit.
I have been using it for years, you can use a 5X where everyone else is using a 7X in clear water.

I have been happy with Orvis Mirage