“Just $0.02 worth from a crusty old New Englander”
Well, I guess I’m a “crusty old Midwesterner”! While I like to fiddle around with other options, years ago I read about adding tippet to a 7 1/2 foot 4X leader. Worked pretty well. Now I’m using the same system you use. I like the way the 3X/4X/tippet works better. Some folks think the crust is the best part of the pie!;>)
Chuck
On a new, unfished, leader I cut off 18 inches of the smaller diameter (tippet) end, tie a double surgeon’s loop in the leader, and then tie on new tippet to the loop with an improved clinch knot
I’ve been tying the clinch for about 40 years, and when it’s cold and dark I can change tippet quickly this way. Tying a double surgeon’s loop on 7X tippet to make a loop to loop connection takes me too much time, not to mention frustration, and I have not noticed that the clinch knot to loop breaks more easily.
When I get such a tangle in a hand-tied leader that I have to reach into my fanny pack for a storebought, this is what I do - ex-the clinch knot though.