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Streamer

11-Foot Bonefish Leader

An 11-foot bonefish leader that halves each section: 60 inches of 30 lb mono (.022"), 30 inches of 20 lb (.017") and 15 inches of 15 lb (.015"), ending in a 27 inch tippet of 12 lb fluorocarbon (.013"). The heavy butt turns over a weighted bonefish fly, and the long, clear tip lands it softly on calm, shallow flats where fish spook at a fly line.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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30 lb.022"
20 lb.017"
15 lb.015"
12 lb.013"
BUTT · 60"
TAPER · 30"
TAPER · 15"
TIPPET · 27"
Total length11' 0"
Rod8 wt
Flies1
Knots4
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' 0" of line · 4 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 30 lb2312 lb

Tie it

0 of 4 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 30" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 15" of 15 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 27" of 12 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 27" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×3
    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

Fish it on an 8 wt with a floating line, wading or from the bow of a skiff. Lead a cruising or tailing fish by several feet and let the fly drop to the bottom. Strip in short, slow pulls and watch the fish, not the line: when it tips down or turns on the fly, strip-set firmly rather than lifting the rod. Clear the loose line to the reel once the fish runs.

If the leader piles up in the wind, cut the tippet back toward 20 inches; it gives up a little stealth but turns over far better.

Common questions

  • Why fluorocarbon only at the tippet?

    The tippet is the part the fish sees, and fluorocarbon is less visible and tougher against coral and shell. The mono butt sections stay supple and turn over well.

  • Is 12 lb tippet heavy enough?

    For most bonefish, yes. On calm flats with spooky fish some anglers drop to 10 lb; around mangroves and coral, stronger tippet saves flies and fish.

  • What knot ties the fly on?

    The build uses an improved clinch knot. A loop knot lets a light fly move more freely if you prefer one.

  • Why so long?

    Bonefish in shallow, clear water flush when a fly line lands near them. The 11 feet keeps the line's splash well away from the fish.

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