01-21-2012, 07:05 PM
I would say 30lb is overkill unless you are after steelhead or salmon. I use 4-6lb tippet normally on small creeks for fish up to 4-5lbs. If on a larger river, I will use 8lb tippet. The leader I use is usually a 2x or 1x depending on the area I am fishing and how I am fishing. 1x for streamers or sinking flies and 2x or 3x for smaller streams with midges or dry flies.
I found 4x is not quite big enough for anything over panfish unless it is small planter trout in small streams or calm lakes.
The biggest problem with large leader is when using small dries with finicky fish. It does not lay right and can spook fish very easily. Large leader will work at times, but other times you will have issues.
The drag on your reel will be the other issue. Loosen it up a little and you will have a better landing rate.
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I found 4x is not quite big enough for anything over panfish unless it is small planter trout in small streams or calm lakes.
The biggest problem with large leader is when using small dries with finicky fish. It does not lay right and can spook fish very easily. Large leader will work at times, but other times you will have issues.
The drag on your reel will be the other issue. Loosen it up a little and you will have a better landing rate.
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