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Streamer

10-Foot Bonefish Leader for 7-9 Weight Rods

A 10-foot bonefish leader for 7-9 weight rods. A 60" butt of .020" mono drops quickly through .018", .014" and .012" to a 24" tip of 1X at .010". The long butt drives a weighted flats fly into the wind, and the 1X tip is light enough for clear water and strong enough to hold a running bonefish.

BBy BarblessOctober 14, 2026

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.020"
.018"
.014"
.012"
~11.5 lb1X.010"
BUTT · 60"
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 12"
TIPPET · 24"
Total length10' 0"
Rod7-9 wt
Flies1
Knots5
WaterSaltwater flats and coast

Drag the drawing to pan. Tap a fly for what it does, a knot for how to tie it.

Build your leader

10' 0" of line · 5 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .020"2341X

Tie it

0 of 5 done

These are the finished lengths. Leave extra for tying each knot.

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 60" butt to the 12" mid with a blood knot. Add 12" of .014" with a blood knot. Add 12" of .012" with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 24" of 1X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a blood knotTie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 24" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Blood knot · 5 turns×2
    1. Overlap the two ends by about six inches.
    2. Wrap one tag end around the other line five times, then bring it back and pass it between the two lines where they cross.
    3. Wrap the other tag end five times the opposite way and pass it back through the same opening from the other side.
    4. Wet the knot and pull the two standing lines steadily until the wraps seat. Trim both tags close.
    The blood knot, step by step
  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×2
    1. Lay the new line alongside the end of the leader so they overlap about six inches, the ends pointing opposite ways.
    2. Holding the two lines as one, tie an overhand knot, passing the whole new piece through the loop.
    3. Pass the same ends through the loop twice more, three times in all.
    4. Wet it and pull all four ends evenly to seat the knot. Trim the tags.
    The triple surgeon's knot, step by step
  • Improved clinch knot · 5 turns×1
    1. Pass the tippet through the hook eye and pull about five inches through.
    2. Wrap the tag around the standing line five to seven times.
    3. Pass the tag through the small loop just above the eye, then back through the large loop you just made.
    4. Wet it and pull the standing line so the wraps snug down against the eye. Trim the tag.
    The improved clinch knot, step by step

When and how to fish it

Wade or pole the flats and watch for tailing or cruising fish. Cast a few feet ahead of the fish's path, let the fly drop to the bottom, then strip in short, slow pulls as the fish closes. When the line comes tight, strip-set rather than lifting the rod. Check the 1X tip for nicks after every fish.

If the fly lands short in wind, cut a few inches off the 24" tip. A shorter tippet turns a weighted fly over cleanly into a breeze.

Common questions

  • Is 1X tippet right for bonefish?

    It is a common middle ground. It is fine enough for clear, shallow water and strong enough to handle a good fish if the drag is set smoothly.

  • Why such a long butt?

    The 60" butt carries the energy of the cast so the leader turns over a weighted fly into wind, which is the usual condition on the flats.

  • How often should the tippet be replaced?

    Whenever it is nicked or frayed, or the 24" tip has been cut short by fly changes. Tie on fresh 1X with a triple surgeon's knot, as the build does.

  • Can it be used on other flats fish?

    It suits fish of a similar size and caution on the same 7-9 weight rods. For toothy or abrasive-mouthed fish, add a heavier bite tippet.

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