tippet length

Question
QUESTION: i am just going to start salt water fly fishing  i will be using
a 9 foot 10 weight rod and 10 weight floating line
how long should the tippet be

ANSWER: Hi Jerry - Lots of factors in play there.  Most Salt Water leaders are in the 8' to 10' range.  If you are building your own leaders (with tippet) I'd start with a 40/30/30 with the terminal 30% (3' on a 10' leader) being tippet.  The species you are targeting will factor in as well.  Bonefish can be particularly leader shy and a fine 10' to 12' may be in order.  If you are targeting fish with teeth you will want to look at a steel leader.  If you are just getting started my advice is to look for one of the readily available salt water/bonefish/permit leaders available from a company like Rio.  I hope this helps,
Rich
  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i will be using a umpqua all purpose saltwater 9 foot 20 pound leader
and umpqua saltwater tippet 20 lb dia.017 what size should i make the
tippet
         thank you very much

         jerry

Answer
Jerry - You should not need to add any tippet to begin with - the terminal end of the leader should be the same diameter as the tippet material you have there.  Fish it as it comes from Umpqua.  You will need to add tippet as you work back on the leader - just try to keep the entire set up at about 9' and you will be fine.  Once you get to where you are needing more than about 3 feet of tippet it's time for a new leader or leader rebuild.  I hope this helps,
Rich