Stop Twisted Smallmouth Bass Leaders While Fly Fishing
When the tippet of your smallmouth bass leader gets twisted, it can easily form small knots. These knots will weaken your leader. Then when you set the hook on a large bass, you break him off!
Twisted tippets can occur:
(1) If the fly is too large for the tippet being used. Fly Size ÷ 3= Tippet in X
(2) If the tippet is too long. Two to three feet is long enough.
(3) If the fly you are using is out of symmetry. Long legs and wings on Deer Hair Bass Bugs and Poppers can cause this.
(4) If you have gotten a pull-through on your fly where the tippet gets wrapped around the fly.
It is a good idea to check your tippet periodically to make sure it had not developed any twists.