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11.5-Foot Tarpon Leader for 12-Weight Rods

An 11.5-foot tarpon leader for a 12 wt, all fluorocarbon. A 60 inch butt of 60 lb steps to 12 inches of 40 lb and 24 inches of 30 lb, then an 18 inch class tippet of 20 lb and a 24 inch bite tippet of 50 lb. The stepped butt turns over big tarpon flies on a 12 wt line, the class tippet sets the breaking strength, and the bite tippet stands up to a big tarpon's rough mouth.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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60 lb.030"
40 lb.024"
30 lb.020"
20 lb.016"
50 lb.026"
BUTT · 60"
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 24"
TIPPET · 18"
TIPPET · 24"
Total length11' 6"
Rod12 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

11' 6" of line · 5 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 60 lb2320 lb50 lb

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 section to the 12" mid with a double uni knot. Add 24" of 30 lb with a double uni knot. Add 18" of 20 lb with a double uni knot. Add 24" of 50 lb with an Albright knot.

    Tie a double uni knotTie an albright knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 24" bite tippet with a non-slip loop knot.

    Tie a non-slip loop knot

The knots

  • Double uni knot · 5 turns×3
    1. Overlap the two lines by about six inches.
    2. With one tag, form a loop over both lines and wrap through it around both lines five times. Snug it.
    3. Repeat with the other tag, wrapping the other way.
    4. Pull the two standing lines to slide the knots together. Trim both tags.
    The double uni 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 12 wt with a floating line, or an intermediate in channels and deeper water. Lead a rolling or laid-up fish by several feet, let the fly sink to its level, and strip slowly so the fly crosses ahead of the fish and moves away from it. When the tarpon eats, strip-set hard several times with the rod low, then bow the rod toward the fish each time it jumps.

Check the 50 lb bite tippet after every fish; a rough spot from one fight is how the next fish breaks off.

Common questions

  • Which knots join the sections?

    Double uni knots join the 60 lb butt to the 40 lb, the 40 lb to the 30 lb, and the 30 lb to the 20 lb class tippet. An Albright knot joins the 20 lb class tippet to the 50 lb bite tippet.

  • Why step through 40 lb?

    Going straight from 60 lb to 30 lb drops from .030" to .020" at one knot, and the leader hinges there instead of turning over. A short 40 lb piece at .024" keeps the steps even.

  • Why a loop knot at the fly?

    A non-slip loop knot lets the fly swim freely on stiff 50 lb fluorocarbon instead of being pinned straight.

  • Why is the bite tippet 24 inches?

    A long bite tippet gives plenty of rough-mouth protection through a long fight. Anglers fishing for records cut it to 12 inches to meet the rules.

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