poppers

[remyboy1]

large poppers 8wt?
thicker tippet--bigger the popper?
I can seem to cast a popper its like I am casting a toaster...

 

[remyboy1]

I am reading that a 1x will turn the flies over and allow them to follow the proper course in the loop (cast) that smaller tippet..true???

 

[remyboy1]

do you guys ever use 1x or 2x leaders on a 4 weight for bass? or maybe 6 wt--I never thought of it however I would assume it would allow you to ue a lighter rod for the fight but no break off a lot..

 

[chris f]

remyboy, when fishing my 6wgt i use a heavy butt of mono and a bit lighter mono for my tippet,been using trilene big game green 20# butt and 12# tippet, i've been doing that since where i target the lmb has alot of weeds and rocks, so if i take the popper off and try a cray fish pattern or a wooly bugger when i've gotten caught on the weeds or near the rocks i've been able to just give it a good snap and so far it has been coming out with out losing anything.I'm sure some will thinks it's overkill but it's been working for me so i'm going to stick with it for now.

 

[remyboy1]

sweet thanks

 

[Jacklake]

For a popper I would agree with 1X or 2X so the tippet is stiff enough to prevent the last part of the cast from collapsing - it will be firm enough to turn over the popper. Myself, I wouldn't have a tippet heavier than 10# test because I want it to remain flexible enough that the popper (or bugger) has some wiggle.

Regarding breaking strength, it is sudden stress that breaks tippets, not a smooth direct pull. Last year at the fly fishing club we did a test on a leader with a 4X tippet. Bending the rod double (a less expensive rod), and using a fish weigh scale to measure pressure - we achieved a level of less than 2#. So you could tow a large fish or even weed/branch to yourself with 2# pressure, if there was no jerking on the line. With this in mind I usually use 3X (6# test) tippets for all bass flies exept the heavy poppers or Clousers/muddlers.
Cheers.

 

[remyboy1]

I have only used 3x leader with 4x tippet on my 6--now that I am using poppers and muddlers I am gonna change the leader and the tippet instead of doing what I was doing--using a heavier rod thinking that I needed more power to get the flies out--but I have a issue with the cast collapsing...problem solved never thought of changing line..

 

[remyboy1]

I might even try a 4 weight knowing that the tippet is what willmake the bigger fly roll out better....instead of a bigger rod

 

[RobH]

Get at 10lb bass leader and call it a day. That's why they make them.

 

[remyboy1]

no tippet??

 

[RobH]

The tapered leader has 3 feet of ready to go tippet and you are better off shorter than longer.

 

[threeparrots]

Recently I've been fishing for pike and bass on the same outings in Lake St. Clair / Detroit River. Now, while fishing for bass (unless using a popper) there is still a chance of hooking into a pike so I've been using braid as a leader, no tippet. Sometimes I'll continue using braid when I put on a popper... works fine -- and only been using about 5 feet of leader as well. Bass are not trout and don't require tapered line and small tippets. Large flies throw well too. BTW, using an 8wt rod with 20lb braid.

 

[RobH]

"Bass are not trout and don't require tapered line and small tippets."
True, they don't require light tippet but a tapered leader always turns over better and even more so with large, wind resistant flies.

 

[threeparrots]

"Bass are not trout and don't require tapered line and small tippets."
True, they don't require light tippet but a tapered leader always turns over better and even more so with large, wind resistant flies.

Right. However, when in waters with Pike, Bass, etc.. I'll use the braid to ensure I don't break off on any other kind of fish.

 

[AaronKrick]

I have no problem with poppers on my 6 wt.