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Streamer

11-Foot Redfish Leader

An 11-foot redfish leader for an 8-10 wt. It starts with 46 inches of .033" mono and steps down through 23 inches of .028", 23 inches of .026" and 17 inches of .024" to a 23 inch tippet of .016" fluorocarbon. The stiff butt turns over weighted shrimp and crab patterns, and the long fluorocarbon tip lands quietly and stands up to oyster shell and grass on shallow flats.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.033"
.028"
.026"
.024"
.016"
BUTT · 46"
TAPER · 23"
TAPER · 23"
TAPER · 17"
TIPPET · 23"
Total length11' 0"
Rod8-10 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' 0" of line · 5 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .033"234.016"

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 46" butt to the 23" mid with a blood knot. Add 23" of .026" with a blood knot. Add 17" of .024" with a blood knot. Add 23" of .016" 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 23" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Blood knot · 5 turns×3
    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×1
    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 a floating line over shallow flats and marsh edges. Lead a tailing or cruising redfish so the fly lands a couple of feet beyond and ahead of its head, then strip it across the fish's path in short pulls. When the fish turns on the fly, keep stripping until the line comes tight and set with a strip, not the rod. Blood knots join the mono sections, and a triple surgeon's knot joins the fluorocarbon tippet.

Run the tippet through your fingers after every fish; oyster shell nicks fluorocarbon in ways you can feel before it breaks.

Common questions

  • Why a triple surgeon's knot at the tippet?

    The tippet is .016" fluorocarbon tied to .024" mono. A blood knot seats badly across that jump and between two materials, while a triple surgeon's knot holds.

  • Why is the butt so heavy?

    The .033" butt matches the stiffness of an 8-10 wt line tip and carries the cast through to turn over weighted, bulky redfish flies.

  • Can the leader be shorter?

    Yes, in dirty water or heavy wind. Cut it back from the butt end and keep the 23 inch fluorocarbon tippet.

  • What fly knot does it use?

    An improved clinch knot ties the fly to the fluorocarbon tippet.

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