Sign in

Streamer

11.5-Foot Gradually Tapered Tarpon Leader

An 11.5-foot tarpon leader that tapers in even steps: 36 inches of 60 lb mono (.032"), then 24 inches each of 40 lb (.024"), 30 lb (.022") and 20 lb (.017"), an 18 inch class tippet of 16 lb (.016"), and a 12 inch shock of 40 lb fluorocarbon (.025"). The gradual taper turns over a tarpon fly smoothly, the class tippet sets the breaking strength, and the shock tippet takes the wear of a tarpon's rough mouth. It suits juvenile and mid-sized tarpon on a 9-11 wt.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

LikeSave
Clone and edit
60 lb.032"
40 lb.024"
30 lb.022"
20 lb.017"
16 lb.016"
40 lb.025"
BUTT · 36"
TAPER · 24"
TAPER · 24"
TAPER · 24"
TAPER · 18"
TIPPET · 12"
Total length11' 6"
Rod9-11 wt
Flies1
Knots6
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

11' 6" of line · 6 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 60 lb234540 lb

Tie it

0 of 6 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 36" butt Section to the 24" mid Section Number 1 with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 24" of 30 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 24" of 20 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 18" of 16 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 12" of 40 lb with an Albright knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knotTie an albright knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 12" shock Tippet with a non-slip loop knot.

    Tie a non-slip loop knot

The knots

  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×4
    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
  • Albright knot · 10 turns×1
    1. Fold the end of the heavier line back on itself to make a narrow loop a couple of inches long.
    2. Push the lighter line up through the loop, leaving about eight inches to work with.
    3. Pinch everything together and wrap the lighter line back over itself and both sides of the loop ten times, working toward the loop's closed end.
    4. Feed the lighter tag back out through the loop on the same side it went in.
    5. Wet it, pull the lighter standing line to slide the wraps snug against the loop's end, then pull all four ends tight. Trim both tags.
    The albright knot, step by step
  • Non-slip loop knot · 5 turns×1
    1. Tie a loose overhand knot in the tippet a few inches from the end.
    2. Pass the tag through the hook eye and back through the overhand knot on the side it came out of.
    3. Wrap the tag around the standing line four to seven times, fewer for heavier line.
    4. Pass the tag back through the overhand knot, entering on the side it last came out of.
    5. Wet it, pull the tag to snug the wraps, then pull the standing line and the fly apart to close the knot. Trim the tag.
    The non-slip loop knot, step by step

When and how to fish it

Fish it on a 9-11 wt with a floating line, or an intermediate in deeper channels. Lead a rolling or laid-up fish by several feet, let the fly sink to its level, and strip it slowly across its path so it moves away from the fish. When the tarpon eats, strip-set hard several times with the rod low, then bow the rod toward the fish each time it jumps.

Run the 40 lb shock through your fingers after every fish; when it feels rough, retie it before the next cast.

Common questions

  • Why a 40 lb shock tippet?

    A tarpon's mouth is like sandpaper. The 12 inch length of 40 lb fluorocarbon takes that wear so the 16 lb class tippet does not.

  • How is the shock tied to the class tippet?

    With an Albright knot, which joins lines of very different diameter, here .016" to .025". The other sections are joined with triple surgeon's knots.

  • Why a loop knot at the fly?

    A non-slip loop knot lets the fly swing and swim freely on stiff 40 lb fluorocarbon instead of being pinned straight.

  • Is it heavy enough for big tarpon?

    It suits juvenile and mid-sized fish on a 9-11 wt. Large tarpon call for a heavier rod and shock.

StreamerSaltwater

More streamer rigs

Explore all

  • Tarpon Leader with a 30 lb Bite Tippet

    A 10-foot tarpon leader for an 8-10 wt rod, aimed at juvenile and mid-size fish. The butt steps down from 42" of 40 lb mono (.024") through 30" of 30 lb (.021") and 18" of 20 lb (.017") to an 18" class tippet of 15 lb mono (.015"). Last comes a 12" bite tippet of 30 lb fluorocarbon (.020") to stand up to a tarpon's rough mouth, with a 1/0 Tarpon Toad on a non-slip loop knot.

    Total length10' 0"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots5
    Time to tie4.5min
    BBy Barbless

  • DIY Saltwater Fly Leader

    A simple all-fluorocarbon saltwater leader for 7 to 9 weight rods. It steps down from 36 inches of 40 lb (.026") to 12 inches of 30 lb (.022"), 24 inches of 20 lb (.018") and 24 inches of 15 lb (.016"), joined with triple surgeon's knots, for 8 feet in all. The fly is tied on with a non-slip loop knot so it swims freely.

    Total length8' 0"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots4
    Time to tie2.25min
    BBy Barbless

  • Crossover Mono Rig for Streamers and Nymphs

    A mono rig that switches between streamers and nymphs without rebuilding the leader. It runs 288 inches of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon, 24 inches of 12 lb Maxima HV, then a sighter of 12 inches of red mono (Amnesia or Sufix Neon Fire) and 12 inches of Umpqua Sighter with a backing barrel marker. A 4 mm tippet ring holds 14 inches of RIO Two Tone and 36 inches of 3X fluorocarbon to the fly.

    Total length32' 2"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots5
    Time to tie2.5min
    BBy Barbless

More from Barbless

  • Standard Indicator Nymphing Rig, 4X

    A 10' 8" indicator nymphing leader on Maxima Chameleon. The butt steps from .017" to .010", then 18" of .009" runs to a 4 mm heavy tippet ring, with 24" of 3X and 24" of 4X fluorocarbon below it. A 3/4" trapped-air indicator, one No. 4 split shot and a #16 Tungsten Bead Pheasant Tail make it a ready-to-fish indicator rig for riffles and runs.

    Total length10' 8"
    TechniqueIndicator
    Knots6
    Time to tie4min
    BBy Barbless

  • Tight-Line Nymphing Mono Rig, 5X

    A tight-line mono rig for euro nymphing with a 5X point. It runs 288" of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon (.017"), 24" of 12 lb Maxima HV, a 12" red sighter section and 12" of Umpqua Sighter (.009") with a backing barrel marker, then a 4 mm tippet ring. Below the ring, 14" of RIO Two Tone, 36" of 4X and 20" of 5X fluorocarbon lead to a #16 tungsten Pheasant Tail. No indicator or split shot: the fly carries the weight.

    Total length33' 10"
    TechniqueEuro
    Knots6
    Time to tie3.5min
    BBy Barbless

  • Tight-Line Dry-Dropper Mono Rig, 5X

    A tight-line mono rig that fishes a dry and a nymph together. It runs 288" of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon (.017"), 24" of 12 lb Maxima HV, a 12" red sighter section and 12" of Umpqua Sighter (.009") carrying a backing barrel marker, then a 4 mm tippet ring. A 6" tag of 3X mono off the ring holds a #12 Stimulator; below the ring, 14" of RIO Two Tone, 24" of 4X and 24" of 5X fluorocarbon lead to a #16 tungsten Pheasant Tail.

    Total length33' 2"
    TechniqueDry dropper
    Knots8
    Time to tie4min
    BBy Barbless
All rigs by Barbless