Does anyone have a simple leader formula for bluegill/panfish bugs and poppers? 5 wt rod
I like store bought 6 foot tapered mono leaders. I attach them to the line with a Super Glue splice. The knotless setup snags less algae, cottonseed, and weed. I put a Perfection loop in the end to attach the tippet (4-6 lb Trilene).
Furled and braided leaders turn over better, but they aren’t as maintenance free on the water.
Tom
If I don’t use an off the shelf tapered leader, I use the same formulas given in the thread on bass leaders. They work just as well with a 5wt rod/line as a 6 or 7wt.
They work as well even for smaller flies and poppers?
Yep, just downsize the tippet as needed. I usually use 6 or 8lb test tippet for panfish poppers, sometimes even 4 lb test tippet. This roughly equates to 2x, 3x, or 4x tippet. For real tiny panfish poppers, a heavy tippet may sink them, which is why I may go down to 4lb test.
7 1/2ft furled leader with 4 to 5ft of 4lb tippet is what i use… sometimes ill use the 2lb mono in place of 4lb tippet…
I normally use a straight piece of mono – turns over just fine and WAY cheaper.
For sinking flies, I like flourocarbon.
what know do you use to tie the different lines together?
thanks
i use cabelas leaders in a 9 foot 6 pound test
Mark me down as another furled leader fan. I use a 7 1/2 foot furled leader (made out of thread) a 1 foot piece of 6 lb mono followed by a 1 foot piece of 3 1/2 pound mono tippet. Turns even large flies over easily and the furled leader last at least all season.
Jim Smith
I prefer a 5’ to 6’ furled leader (thread/floating or fluorocarbon/sinking) & 2’ to 3’ of 4lb mono or fluoro line/tippet. I treat the thread with a very light coat of mucilin.
Mike
Eight feet of six weight mono for poppers.
Eight feet of six weight floro for wets/nymphs.
Like bass, sunfish are not particularly line shy.