tippet question

[Mr. Striper]

It's been many years sence I have thrown a fly for some stripers. This might even be a stupid question. So. My question is, do I need a tapered leader? Or, can I just use a strait fluorocarbon leader tied dirrectly to the fly line or loop to loop? I am Using a 9' 10/11wt rod with 10wt floating line and will be throwing some 2/0 flys.

[Jgoding]

Probably don't need a tapered leader.

[Bryan Morgan]

Forget about a tapered leader. They aren't leader shy. Try and keep the leader fairly short, that will help get the fly to bottom a little quicker.

[MSWNCity]

Can I suggest 6 feet of 15 to 20lb. fluorocarbon. I think mono is probably just as good. I find that much over 6 feet of leader the cast starts to "dump" with larger striper flies.

[Charlie Gonzales]

Although it may not be necessary, a tapered leader will be beneficial. The fish may not care but you will get a bit more distance out of you cast. I prefer to use John Quigley's twisted leaders with the tippet swivel built in. You will get the positive turn over of a tapered leader, and with the tippet swivel makes changeing tippet very easy. If your walking and wading then I would reccommened using 12lb floro(another advantage of a tapered leader, 12lb flouro/mono won tturn over a 2/0 clouser very well) so if you snag up, its easier to break off and will still handle good size fish. With a 4' Quigley leader I would still add 2 to 4' of tippet and try and keep the fly as far away from the line as possible. A floater can very versatile on the American when wading, if you want to get deep with a clouser then lengthen you leader and present you cast further up stream from target and mend your line allowing the fly to sink, in medium/shallow water a few Airheads will keep you in the game.

[Tracy Chimenti]

Godd stuff, Charlie. I've been hearing about Quig's leaders. I'm definitely going to get twisted.