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Streamer

4-Foot Saltwater Leader for Full Sinking Lines

A 4-foot saltwater leader for full sinking lines. It is 18" of 40 lb fluorocarbon, 12" of 30 lb and 18" of 20 lb, joined with triple surgeon's knots, with the fly on a non-slip loop knot. The short length keeps the streamer down at the depth the line reaches, for stripers, jacks and other fish feeding below the surface.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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40 lb.024"
30 lb.020"
20 lb.016"
BUTT · 18"
TAPER · 12"
TIPPET · 18"
Total length4' 0"
Flies1
Knots3
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

48" of line · 3 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 40 lb220 lb

Tie it

0 of 3 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 18" butt to the 12" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 18" of 20 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 18" tippet with a non-slip loop knot.

    Tie a non-slip loop knot

The knots

  • 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
  • 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

Cast, count the line down to the depth of the fish, then strip the streamer back in short, sharp pulls with the rod tip low. Change the count until you find fish. Set with a strip set, not a rod lift, so the hook drives home on the tight line.

Wet both ends and seat each triple surgeon's knot slowly. Stiff fluorocarbon kinks and weakens if the knot is cinched dry.

Common questions

  • Why so short on a sinking line?

    A long leader lets the fly ride up above the line. At 4 feet, the fly stays near the depth the line is fishing.

  • Why the 30 lb piece in the middle?

    Going straight from 40 lb to 20 lb is a big drop at one knot, and the leader hinges there. A short 30 lb step keeps the taper even and the knots seat better.

  • Why a loop knot to the fly?

    The non-slip loop knot is strong in 20 lb fluorocarbon and lets the streamer swing and dart freely on the strip.

  • Is 20 lb enough?

    For most inshore fish on a sinking line, yes. For toothy fish, add a heavier bite tippet.

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