View Full Version : tapered leaders
stupid
02-01-2008, 09:03 AM
How does a tapered leader work? Is one end like 20 pound test and the other 6 pound? I know this is a fly fishing question, but I like to tie leaders and thought a tapered one could be nice when using a double uni knot. I'm just not sure I understand?
Yes, that's right. Tapered leaders are a larger diameter at one end, and smaller at the other end.
Juls
bentrod
02-01-2008, 11:43 AM
The reason for the taper in fly fishing it to turn the fly over as the fly line unfurls. The heavier the fly the heavier the tippet.
stupid
02-01-2008, 01:58 PM
So would using a tapered leader... say when casting a spinning rod loaded with superline increase the strength of the uni knot?
Gilligan
02-01-2008, 03:59 PM
Not sure I'm following your drift...assuming you want to use a tapered leader so that you have a larger dia/# test where it would attach to the superline?
A typical tapered leader is very heavy on the butt section cant imagine that would roll off a reel very good. Tapered leaders are not real cheap either unless you tie your own with multiple # tests and multiple spliced knots.
Come fish with me!
http://www.walleyecentral.com/wcdirectory/fullpage.php?ckey=141
Phil T
02-01-2008, 04:53 PM
The taper performs two functions. The heavy butt section should almost match the diameter of the end of the fly line. This is for efficient transfer of the casting energy into the progressively thinner sections. The end of the leader should almost match the diameter of the tippet (the line tied to the fly). Length depends on the caster's skill and the wariness of the fish. There are lots of fly fishing websites that will give a formula for tying a tapered leader (length and diameter of each section). I find all those knots capture a lot of algae and weeds, so I bite the bullet and buy factory tapered leaders. I still tie on my own tippet.
My simplest leader/tippet is for pike fishing. The butt section is about 4'of cheap, stiff 60# test monofilament, the tippet is no more than 3' of 25# (almost bite proof) fluorocarbon leader. This is for a 9wt fly rod. The leaders for my 5wt trout rod are factory tapered leaders. They are longer and smaller diameter.
stupid
02-04-2008, 02:08 PM
I would love to buy a leader that is 15 lb test and it gradually tapers to 8lb test fluoro.
Phil T
02-04-2008, 04:02 PM
Unless you're using it for fly fishing, I see no advantage to a tapered leader.
If the idea of one floats your boat, look to someone like Orvis, The Fly Shop, etc. They all have websites, enjoy your search.