Backing Line & Shock Leader

[Friday]

I am a newbie to fly fishing. I am buying Fly fishing equipments one by one. I bought 2 sets of fly rods and reels for permit/striped bass and tarpon. Both reels are J Austin Forbes 6840 (10wt, hold 350yd 20# micron). Rods are Temple Fork Outfitters Lefty Kreh Signature Pro series 9wt (for permit/Striped Bass) and 12wt for tarpon. some of the web site show that I need backing line of 30# 300yds for tarpon. I guess I need a thinner backing line for tarpon for the reel. I will be fishing in Belize for tarpon.

1) What are the differences between dacron and Micron? Can I use other braided lines such as Powerpro for backing line?
2) Size of the leader line for Tarpon?
3) What is shock leader? (for Tarpon) and where does it go?

Thanks in advance.

[saltydancindave]

Shock ( or bite ) tippet of 60 to 80 lbs is attached to the fly with a Homer Rhodes loop knot, or similar knot. It is also attached to the bimini or spider hitch knoted class tippet ( 16 to 20 lbs. ) with an Albright, Huffnagle or Slim Beauty knot. This is at the end of the leader which could be 7 to 9 feet in length or longer. You could use gel spun backing on the reels as it is smaller in diameter. Some do use PP as backing, and as far as dacron & micron; seems the micron is treated to be more impervious to saltwater with some patented process, but that might be a lack of remembering the references ? :cool: