Steelhead Leader

What do you guys use for steelhead tippet/leader?

I just started using a fly rod for steelhead this year and bought Rio's powerflex leader and tippet for steelhead fishing. Maybe it is just my inexperience with a fly rod but the 6.4 pound I bought seems to break easier than any 4 pound leader I have used on my spinning rod. After I broke off about the first 10 or so fish I hooked, I switched to the 6 pound seaguar flourocarbon I normally use for spinning leader and was able to keep a few fish on.

It seems the powerflex gets good reviews on fishusa so maybe 6 pound just isnt enough for fresh fish with minimal room to fight them. Should I be using 8 pound flourocarbon instead? Any thoughts would be appreciated

I usually syary out with a 3x leader, cut the last 1-2 feet off of it, add a very small swivel, and then tie on 6-8 pound mono or fluro to the end. I never tie my tippett or flies directly to my leader. i always use a swivel. Some folks don't like the idea of the swivel but it seems to work better to me. Also I usually break the tippett, not the leader.

http://www.fishusa.com/LineTerminalTackle-LineandLeaders-FluorocarbonLines-Seaguar_c.html

Behrend: if the 6lb seaguar is what works for you then stick with that. Why change what works well? What I will suggest is heavier tippet for when you start to swing streamers (its a blast). 2x is about as light as theres any reason to go when it comes to catching steelhead on a swung fly.

If you don't mind me asking, what knot do you use from swivel to tippet and tippet to fly? Does it break at the fly or the swivel? Is there a reason you like a swivel as opposed to straight tippet to leader connection?

Used to be seaguar's biggest fan,till I got ahold of 8lb. Gamma.Strong enough to beach anything i have hooked into,and performs well in the cold.

ORIGINAL: BehrendFisher

...I was using rio powerflex 6.4 lb for the tippet but it was breaking ridiculously easy (below the swivel)...

at the swivel knot?
at the fly knot?

You might just have a bad spool of tippet.  It happens.  What you are using should not be an issue with repect to strength unless you are really, really leaning on them.
 
I typically fish 5X G-Max without any issues.

Behrend: 3x, which is between 8-10lb Is as small as I normally ever have to go. We're also talking flouro. here, so using a tippet size or even two larger than you would with regular mono isn't that big of a deal. We're all throwing around tippet sizes and line weights here, but we need to remember the tippet diameter too. Stren original 8lb test line, something that I'm sure sees plenty of use up in Erie, is .011. Orvis superstrong 0x, which is 15.5 lb test is also .011, so theres more than just breaking strength to look at. If you want something the diameter of brand _____ in 6, or 8lb test then find the diameter and look around a little. You might be able to find something stronger thats significantly smaller.

Picked up the 3x grand max today, hopefully I will see how it holds up to fighting fish tomorrow.

For the money and the strength, nothing beats Maxima Ultragreen, use 8lb, all you will ever need, go down to 6lb if they're line shy, 4lb for clear water steel.
 
Need flouro, Drennen is a strong as they come, 8lb will land most fish.
 
If they're hooked in the mouth you can fight them well.
 
A number 14 swivel works and is quick, I prefer the fishermans knot.
 
Tight Lines,
 
OldSalt