Salt Water Tippet

[rjs123]

Well Im getting ready to head for Tampa. My rod and reel are on their way to me and so are some fly tying materials from Walt to tie up some deceivers and clousers. I also plan to tie up some Merkin Crabs and buy some Dupre Spoon flies.  Ill be mainly fishing low and negative tides for Redfish and Trout.

I have a question about tippet material.

From what I have learned Ill be using 30lb mono for a butt section with 12-16 lb fluoro for tippet and possibly a short 30lb fluoro bite section to the fly.

My question is this.  In that size and strength can I just used fluorocarbon line that is sold for spinning rod use?  I have a feeling it would be cheaper than buying small spools of actual tippet.

[red-haired-boy]

Bob,
a lot of the spinning line is larger (more diameter per pund of strength) than tippet material. I switched to the Orvis flouro recently and like it- it is a lot cheaper than Rio (40mm for $10). You shouldn't need but one or two sizes of tippet for the salt.

[troutrus]

I have a question about tippet material.

From what I have learned Ill be using 30lb mono for a butt section with 12-16 lb fluoro for tippet and possibly a short 30lb fluoro bite section to the fly.

Curious to know what purpose is served by the 12-16# fluorocarbon being sandwiched between two sections of 30#. For trout and drum down that way, assuming you'll be throwing an intermediate line, you would be well served to just run 6' of 12# tippet from your flyline to the fly. If for some reason you feel the need for 30# bite leader, then use 6' of 30#. No need for complicated leader formulas.
Personally I favor tippet material over regular running line for leader/tippet applications, whether it's fluoro or mono. Seems to me it's stiffer with less memory. Comes down to personal choice.
Good luck! Have fun. Catch a bunch!

[Flatlander]

For trout and drum down that way, assuming you'll be throwing an intermediate line, you would be well served to just run 6' of 12# tippet from your flyline to the fly.

A 6' leader made up of only 2X?  I guess that will work, but .009 ain't much to turn over a merkin or a spoon.

[rjs123]

Thanks for the replies.  Im not an expert, far from it. I was only saying I would use what I have been told works by some guides that fish down here all the time.  It has to me true. I heard it on the internet!

Its been way too windy for me anyway., I have hard enough time casting when it isnt windy.  It finally warmed up today so as soon as the water warms and fish get active in the flats Ill head out and give it a try.