Saltwater leader, how?

[mtshark]

Hi ladies and gentlemen,

Ok, I have asked about ultralite tippet and leader construction. Thank you so much for the guidance and patience.

Now, I would like to ask about the construction of saltwater leader. Excuse me for asking such a question again as I am very curious about certain things. I hope someone would be able to clear my doubts.

I have been flying in the salt for a while and my leader is constructed not above 9 ft. Mostly around 8ft. Basically, I have a 5ft of twisted leader made of 20lbs strength. Then another 2 - 3 ft of 20lbs, single strend. The last part is always a leader material which could be as strong as 40lbs (Jinkai) with 1ft in length and then my fly.

I dont experience problem with this but only when I try to use a bigger and heavier fly. For example a 2/0 clouser with a big epoxy head, this fly is about 3-4" in length. I just can seem to be able to cast and not to mention catching a fish with it.

Now, you may ask me what rod wt am I using. I am using a Scott STS 6wt. Some people tell me that it is very tough to get such a big fly out with 6wt and dont talk about distance in regards with this too.

Now, the real question, how to construct a leader for a 6-7wt rod that could have a big fly at the end of the line and still cast well?

i) Do I shorten the leader (that's what I always do) or I should do it vice versa? What kind of construction?

ii) Just use a normal fly suitable for the rod wt? I cant help it sometimes when there's a really big fish right infront of you and doesnt like all the small flies chucked at him, what would you do? You see that biggie going after bigger baitfish and thank God you have a big fly in your fly box! How to react?

iii) The big fish is more than 70ft away and with that big fly and a 6wt, what would you do to achieve that distance without flaw and present the fly real well to a one in a thousand chances in your lifetime for a big fish from shore?

iv) If going for a Maldives trip, what is a suitable all rounder leader to build?

v) Any tips and tricks during leader construction?

I am not sure if I have gotten all my queries into this thread or not but I am yearning to listen to what you seniors would recommend and say. You all have done it so many times and have encountered many obstacles in flyfishing in your wonderful lives. Your experience and tips are absolutely gems for many young jedis here, including me.

Just like what FCUK mentioned before, flyfishing is not just about fun but it is a very challenging and demanding sports.

I thank you for your time to read these and also your sacrifice of time to sink your fingers into the keyboards to catch me a beautiful answer. Your words and knowledge are definitely greatly appreciated and I believe many here will greatly benefit from your wisdom.

sincerely,

a very excited mtshark (next wk of cast liao lor) kekekeke ;D

[pirate!]

Hi MTS.. I am also a noob but this is how i do my saltwater leader.. jus 1 straight piece of 9foot 20lbs FC or 16lbs leader line with a loop to loop connection for the fly line. and there we go.. wha la, ur leader.. if ur casting bigger flies, shorten the leader.. The guide I hired in australia tied the leader with a 3 foot butt section of 45lbs line to 5 feet of 25lbs line to the fly. or u can always use a knotless tapered leader.. hope this all helps..

[JimmyAw]

Hi Buddy,

Your leader set up for the saltwaters is great! In my humble opinion....

1. Stop using those flies with the "big epoxy head" & use what you have tie so beautifully as attached below!



I am sure you can cast the least of 70ft with it easily! ;D

2. You can use appropriate sinking line if you need the fly to sink further than what Floating line can do.

3. Overline your fly line by 1 wt to the set. No worries for that CANNON named STS from Scott of yours. It can handle overlining very well!

[mtshark]

JimmyAw said:

Hi Buddy,

Your leader set up for the saltwaters is great! In my humble opinion....

1. Stop using those flies with the "big epoxy head" & use what you have tie so beautifully as attached below!



I am sure you can cast the least of 70ft with it easily! ;D

2. You can use appropriate sinking line if you need the fly to sink further than what Floating line can do.

3. Overline your fly line by 1 wt to the set. No worries for that CANNON named STS from Scott of yours. It can handle overlining very well!

Thks Jimmy,

I do overwt my rod too by 1wt. I started out doing it since the day I have it as this was the recommendation by the Scott pple. After sometimes, I tried out the 6wt on it (mainly on freshwater) using a Wulff's TT 6wt, it casts like a gem too.

Thks for the compliment about my polarfibre minnow, that's still a prototype though but it sure looks better than those I made initially. My god brother gave me a few tips and I got it going and tied something good-enough-to-see. While the rest, I keep them tightly shut in the fly box till I hit the water. LOL

Regarding the leader, you are right about leaving those heavy expozy ones in the box and fish with something lighter and as effective. I shall just let a 6wt be a 6wt and not overloading it with big flies.