Puget Sound

NRC · Mar 20, 2023

Kashf said:
Thank you! I think next time I’ll let the fish put itself on the reel, otherwise just strip

I’ve used 12lb mono or fluro (Nowadays fluro unless it’s a surface fly) since I gear fished, even when I was running 8lb mainline. They also seemed to key in on larger presentations, so I am not surprised they aren’t leader shy. My best gear setup was a 2/3oz lil cleo or #4 Blue Fox (Both in silver) with a pink hoochie on the hook. Would tying directly to a tapered leader be a good idea? My casts are getting better but long untapered leaders are still tough for me to cast

Tapered leaders are expensive. Just blood knot 2’ sections of 25#, 20, 15, and 12# maxima if you like a longer leader, or shorter sections if you like shorter.

Kfish · Mar 21, 2023

NRC said:
Tapered leaders are expensive. Just blood knot 2’ sections of 25#, 20, 15, and 12# maxima if you like a longer leader, or shorter sections if you like shorter.

Consider using tippet ring too. I use them on all my leaders and they last a long time since I'm only replacing the last tippet section when it gets too short or too many wind knots.

Tom Butler · Mar 21, 2023

Kfish said:
Consider using tippet ring too. I use them on all my leaders and they last a long time since I'm only replacing the last tippet section when it gets too short or too many wind knots.

When I first discovered them I though they were silly. I don't get to fish salt, but they are on all my sinking line leaders, indicator setups, and euro rig leader as well now. Sound suggestion.

Hobbyranch · Mar 21, 2023

Kfish said:
Consider using tippet ring too. I use them on all my leaders and they last a long time since I'm only replacing the last tippet section when it gets too short or too many wind knots.

This! Such an improvement to my setup

Wetswinger · Mar 21, 2023

NRC said:
Tapered leaders are expensive. Just blood knot 2’ sections of 25#, 20, 15, and 12# maxima if you like a longer leader, or shorter sections if you like shorter.

I've had good results using an Airflo polyleader. It's clear, tapered and is more like line than leader. I then add 5ft of maxima to the welded loop and that's all. It really turns over nicely...

clarkman · Mar 21, 2023

Kfish said:
Consider using tippet ring too. I use them on all my leaders and they last a long time since I'm only replacing the last tippet section when it gets too short or too many wind knots.

I'll second, third or fourth this!

I utilize these on every type of fishing I do. Except for my tiger musky fishing. There, I use 80lb barrel swivels.

Northern · Mar 21, 2023

clarkman said:
I'll second, third or fourth this!

I utilize these on every type of fishing I do. Except for my tiger musky fishing. There, I use 80lb barrel swivels.

You can also use tiny barrel swivels if you don't have tippet rings.
In addition to using medium sized swivels on my pike rig, I often use a small one for bass topwater. Poppers tend to spin during the cast (not being the most aerodynamic beasties) so the swivel keeps the line from twisting.

clarkman · Mar 21, 2023

Northern said:
You can also use tiny barrel swivels if you don't have tippet rings.
In addition to using medium sized swivels on my pike rig, I often use a small one for bass topwater. Poppers tend to spin during the cast (not being the most aerodynamic beasties) so the swivel keeps the line from twisting.

yep, almost forgot, I use them for some of my bassin' for that very reason

Northern · Mar 21, 2023

But back to salt...
New to me HC beach this morning was nice enough to cough up a half doz cutties to hand and another 6 or so missed or LDR'd. Nothing big, but pretty and spunky, and I had the beach as far as I could see all to myself all morning!
The fish didn't seem to mind either my tunes or my singing, as the best one came while I added my vocals to Miley & Stevie Nicks's Edge of Midnight collab

All came on a leftover bonefish fly

Stonedfish · Mar 21, 2023

NRC said:
Tapered leaders are expensive. Just blood knot 2’ sections of 25#, 20, 15, and 12# maxima if you like a longer leader, or shorter sections if you like shorter.

Used to do the same. The only downside is the knots can catch more weeds when the salad hatch is on.
Do the folks using tippet rings or swivels find they catch more salad then using a straight shot leader?

Northern said:
But back to salt...
New to me HC beach this morning was nice enough to cough up a half doz cutties to hand and another 6 or so missed or LDR'd. Nothing big, but pretty and spunky, and I had the beach as far as I could see all to myself all morning!
The fish didn't seem to mind either my tunes or my singing, as the best one came while I added my vocals to Miley & Stevie Nicks's Edge of Midnight collab

All came on a leftover bonefish fly
View attachment 58671
View attachment 58670
View attachment 58672

Very nice. Dig that fly as well, especially the color.
Some chum fry have kind of a goldish brown look to their backs when you look down on them.
SF

Kfish · Mar 21, 2023

Stonedfish said:
Used to do the same. The only downside is the knots can catch more weeds when the salad hatch is on.
Do the folks using tippet rings or swivels find they catch more salad then using a straight shot leader?

Very nice. Dig that fly as well, especially the color.
Some chum fry have kind of a goldish brown look to their backs when you look down on them.
SF

Tippet rings does not snag more salad for me, helps if anything since the ring diameter is bigger than my tag ends and salad slides of easily.

Stonedfish · Mar 21, 2023

afried · Mar 22, 2023

Kfish said:
Tippet rings does not snag more salad for me, helps if anything since the ring diameter is bigger than my tag ends and salad slides of easily.

Many thanks for the tippet ring suggestion. I’ve long preferred knotless tapered leaders and get extended service from them by adding tippet sections as needed. That of course adds a salad snagging knot. Any suggestions on tippet ring brands/sizes for saltwater use around here?

Northern · Mar 22, 2023

As I was packing up to head to a lake, I decided to throw a few casts off the beach out front of the cabin. Just left the existing small brown/yellow leech..bugger..thing on from last night's lake. 3rd cast got me my personal best SRC - 17, maybe 18", fat, and not at all happy with his choice of snack

Accompanying tune (Rose Colored Lenses) at hookup was once again from my spirit animal, MC

Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

jasmillo · Mar 22, 2023

Northern said:
As I was packing up to head to a lake, I decided to throw a few casts off the beach out front of the cabin. Just left the existing small brown/yellow leech..bugger..thing on from last night's lake. 3rd cast got me my personal best SRC - 17, maybe 18", fat, and not at all happy with his choice of snack
View attachment 58767
Accompanying tune (Rose Colored Lenses) at hookup was once again from my spirit animal, MC Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Fuc*king retirees…..

.

Nice fish!

Kfish · Mar 22, 2023

afried said:
Many thanks for the tippet ring suggestion. I’ve long preferred knotless tapered leaders and get extended service from them by adding tippet sections as needed. That of course adds a salad snagging knot. Any suggestions on tippet ring brands/sizes for saltwater use around here?

I've had good result from scientific angler tippet ring medium size. Those are 2.5mm in diameter.

MGdriver · Mar 22, 2023

Kfish said:
I've had good result from scientific angler tippet ring medium size. Those are 2.5mm in diameter.

Thanks for the tip (pet)

Northern · Mar 22, 2023

jasmillo said:
Fuc*king retirees….. .

Nice fish!

I highly recommend it!

If it makes you feel any better, I went to a favorite little trout lake after and couldn't buy a bump!

...Until I heard a suspiciously loud splash in a shallow bay and proceeded to fool a matching pair of 2lbish LM, one on a bugger and one on top

afried · Mar 22, 2023

Kfish said:
I've had good result from scientific angler tippet ring medium size. Those are 2.5mm in diameter.

Thanks. Just ordered up some SA rings and looking forward to giving them a try.

jasmillo · Mar 22, 2023

Northern said:
I highly recommend it!

If it makes you feel any better, I went to a favorite little trout lake after and couldn't buy a bump!

...Until I heard a suspiciously loud splash in a shallow bay and proceeded to fool a matching pair of 2lbish LM, one on a bugger and one on top

Couldn’t buy a bump

…

2 LM’s, one on top, in mid March. Nice job.