When tarpon season rolls around, the last thing I want to do on the water is waste time messing with coiled, kinked, or disorganized bite tippet. The shots happen fast, fish break off, leaders get chewed up, and efficiency matters. So before the season really kicks off, I batch prep all my bite tippets so they are straight, organized, and ready to go.
Here is exactly how I do it.
Step 1: Pick Your Leader Material
First things first, I buy my go to leader material in 40 lb and 50 lb. Fluoro or mono does not matter here, and we are not starting that debate today. Use what you trust.
Those two sizes cover most of my tarpon situations, so I prep both in bulk before the fishing gets serious.
Step 2: Stretch the Memory Out
Leader material straight off the spool has that annoying circular memory, and I do not want that in my bite tippet.
So here is the move:
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I tie one end of the leader to one side of a garage rack shelf
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Tie the other end to the opposite side
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Pull it tight and let it sit under tension
I leave it stretched out for a few days. No rush. This slowly pulls the memory out of the material without weakening it.
When I come back and clip it off the racks, the line is nice and straight, exactly what I want before cutting pieces.
Step 3: Cut to Length
Next, I grab my storage system, which is honestly the most useful part of this whole setup.
I use two PVC tubes with end caps, labeled with a Sharpie:
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One marked 40 lb
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One marked 50 lb
Then I cut my stretched leader into 14 inch pieces.
Why 14 inches?
Because after tying:
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Your blood knots
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Your loop knot
You will end up right around 12 inches of finished bite tippet, which is perfect once everything is rigged on the rod.
Step 4: Store in PVC Tubes
All the pre cut pieces go straight into their labeled PVC tubes, caps on both ends.
This system works because:
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The tippets stay straight
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They stay organized
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They do not get crushed or tangled
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You can toss the tubes in the boat and forget about them
I will keep these in the skiff for months during tarpon season. After each fish, trip, or break off, I just grab a fresh piece and tie it on. No digging through spools, no fighting coils, no slowing down.
Why This Matters on the Water
Tarpon fishing is not slow paced. Shots are quick, fish are big, and things go wrong fast. Having pre stretched, pre cut bite tippets means:
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Faster re rigging
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Less frustration
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More time with a fly in the water
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Better organization
It is also travel friendly. If I am fishing with a buddy or jumping on someone else’s boat, I just bring my tubes and I am fully dialed.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those off the water prep things that pays off big when it counts. Straight leader material, consistent lengths, and a simple storage system make life easier when the fish are rolling and you need to be ready right now.
Prep at home. Fish hard when it matters.
If you’re prepping for tarpon season, make sure your fly box is dialed before the first push of fish. Small details matter when shots are fast.
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