[Penobscot]

Mine always breaks. On the fly, halfway, doesn't matter.
I mostly use Rio, fluoro plus.

I get that it becomes brittle with age, but I've lost confidence.

Should I quit using it for nymphing or be buying a different brand?

 

[troutpocket]

What strength are you using? I use fluoro for tippet as well, generally 3x (~6lb) or heavier and don't have any issues.

 

[Penobscot]

What strength are you using? I use fluoro for tippet as well, generally 3x (~6lb) or heavier and don't have any issues.

Mostly 6x, a bit of 5x

 

[troutpocket]

Unless you are fishing mostly size #18 or smaller bugs, give 4x a try. I bet you don't break off nearly as much. Edit: use non-slip mono loop knots to the fly. Very strong knot.

 

[Salmo_g]

I had breakage problems with flouro too. My solution was to stop using flouro.

Sg

 

[Cold]

I agree that heavier tippet will help. I've also found that, despite its "in the lab" increased strength and abrasion resistance, when you get fluorocarbon out "in the field", while it may be *more* abrasion resistant, once it does, in fact, abrade, its strength is *drastically compromised. So while a piece of 4 lb test mono might get scuffed up and drop to 2 lb, a fluoro 4 lb section might last longer before it gets seriously scuffed, but once it does, it may drop to 0.5 lb.

I've also encountered the occasional spool of tippet here and there (mono and fluoro alike) that, for whatever reason, were just bad spools. It really hurts when it's an occasional spool of Seaguar Grand Max that's a turd, but we're talking maybe one bad spool, across all sizes and brands, every other year. If you've got several spools giving you issues, I'd say it's you, not the material.

 

[The T.O. Show]

I rarely use flouro. Mostly because I'm a cheap bass turd, but also I've never really felt like I needed it. I can think of a few times using extremely small bugs or really finicky fish when it comes in handy, but for 90% of my trout fishing it isn't necessary.

I nymph A LOT, and almost always use a double nymph rig. I run 4x mono to the big fly and use 5x or 6x for the dropper. Trout around here don't seem to shy away from 4x mono, and I've landed lots of big bows in the Yak on 6x no problem.

 

[Scott Salzer]

I use the Rio 5X fluoro all the time and haven't had issue with breakoffs. The fish I break off are due to my own, stupid mistakes.

I do know that light can affect tippet, causing breakage issues. I ran into that a couple of years back, dumped that spool.

 

[plaegreid]

I run 1x fluoro to my streamers and haven't had any issues. Just picked up a spool of 5x for nymphing but haven't had a chance to use it yet.

 

[Hiouchibear]

I agree that heavier tippet will help. I've also found that, despite its "in the lab" increased strength and abrasion resistance, when you get fluorocarbon out "in the field", while it may be *more* abrasion resistant, once it does, in fact, abrade, its strength is *drastically compromised. So while a piece of 4 lb test mono might get scuffed up and drop to 2 lb, a fluoro 4 lb section might last longer before it gets seriously scuffed, but once it does, it may drop to 0.5 lb. (Quote)

I've found the same thing with fluoro tippets. I used to use Maxima a lot for my sub-surface, steelhead/salmon fishing due to it's durability. I was used to seeing a bit of abrasion and not worrying too much about it unless it was bad. That has not been the case for me with fluoro, however. If I see any signs of abrasion, I immediately change tippets for the reasons you mentioned. That being said, I had a friend who was a saltwater fly fishing guide and he swore by fluorocarbon. He said that he did an experiment where he rigged some rods with standard mono and fluoro on others. He said the fluoro consistently caught more fish. I've not been able to verify that with my own experience though. I still use fluoro much of the time (just in case...i.e. why take a chance etc) but....

 

[Jerry Metcalf]

First, you don't need 6x. 5x super floro is stealthy enough for any nymphing. Second, if you are using 5x, you should not tie on anything bigger than a 16. If you are using 14's they will break off regularly. Go to 4x super floro. Third, floro is not particularly bothered by sunlight. It is really, really chemically stable. Your problem likely lies elsewhere.

My suspicion is that you are using flies too big for your tippet. By super floro I mean the good stuff. I like seagar grand max but Rio's best is equivalent.

And, yes, once in a while (few years) you can get a spool with problems. I strip off about 8' and try it again. Mostly that works.

 

[Cold]

Second, if you are using 5x, you should not tie on anything bigger than a 16. If you are using 14's they will break off regularly.

I like everything you're saying in your post except this bit.

I absolutely regularly fish #14 flies on 5X tippet, in fact if I'm fishing a #14, 5X is what I'm typically going to reach for to tie it on, nymphs, dries, whatever. No breakage issues whatsoever.

 

[Lue Taylor]

Make sure your tippet is at least 12 inches in length when using 6,7, &8x I have a friend showed me how to use it I was always afraid to use 6 & 7x because of breakage, I've seen him catch some pigs on 8x I have yet to try that size i am slow on tying flies on anyway. And again I got some shitty tippet that I gave away you sure you not the person that got it

 

[Penobscot]

Thanks for the input, should have noted it doesn't Always break, just does enough to start a thread

 

[Golden Trout]

Cheap Berkeley, Vanish, 100 meter spools of .006 and .007. One spool lasts many seasons with very few issues. Size 18 chironomids all the way to size 4 buggers.

 

[troutpocket]

Cheap Berkeley, Vanish, 100 meter spools of .006 and .007. One spool lasts many seasons with very few issues. Size 18 chironomids all the way to size 4 buggers.

I cannot get that stuff to work for me.

 

[Red Arch]

I like everything you're saying in your post except this bit.

I absolutely regularly fish #14 flies on 5X tippet, in fact if I'm fishing a #14, 5X is what I'm typically going to reach for to tie it on, nymphs, dries, whatever. No breakage issues whatsoever.

Agreed. I've used flies up to 10 on 5x for nymphing with no problems whatsoever. Actually I'm pretty sure some of the guys I know use 7x flouro on up to size 10 no problems.

 

[Stonefish]

Berkeley Vanish, worst stuff I ever used.
Got round filed after a number of nice coho vanished.
Never had any problem with Seaguar.
SF

 

[jersey]

Make sure your tippet is at least 12 inches in length when using 6,7, &8x I have a friend showed me how to use it I was always afraid to use 6 & 7x because of breakage, I've seen him catch some pigs on 8x I have yet to try that size i am slow on tying flies on anyway. And again I got some shitty tippet that I gave away you sure you not the person that got it

What's the reason for length minimum?

 

[Old Man]

Never used the stuff and I still catch fish. And since I've been here in Montana I double nymph a lot. Never have seen the use for it. I know some that have used it and they learned how to cuss quite good because of using it.