Sign in

Streamer

9-Foot Bonefish Leader

A 9-foot all-fluorocarbon bonefish leader built to turn over shrimp and crab flies in the wind that blows across most flats. It runs 48 inches of 50 lb, 24 inches of 30 lb and 12 inches of 25 lb to a 24 inch tippet of 15 lb. The heavy butt carries the cast, and the 15 lb tip is strong enough to stand up to coral, mangrove roots and a bonefish's first run.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

LikeSave
Clone and edit
50 lb.026"
30 lb.020"
25 lb.018"
15 lb.013"
BUTT · 48"
TAPER · 24"
TAPER · 12"
TIPPET · 24"
Total length9' 0"
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

9' 0" of line · 4 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 50 lb2315 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 48" butt to the 24" mid with a double uni knot. Add 12" of 25 lb with a blood knot. Add 24" of 15 lb with a blood knot.

    Tie a double uni knotTie a blood knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 24" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Double uni knot · 5 turns×1
    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
  • Blood knot · 5 turns×2
    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
  • 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

Wade or pole the flats and look for tailing or cruising fish. Cast a few feet ahead of the fish so the fly lands quietly and sinks to the bottom in its path. When the fish moves toward it, strip in short, slow pulls. Set with a firm strip, not a rod lift, then clear the line and let the fish run.

Wet each knot and pull it tight slowly. Fluorocarbon knots that are cinched dry or fast slip under the strain of a bonefish's first run.

Common questions

  • Why fluorocarbon all the way through?

    It sinks, it is hard to see in clear flats water, and it stands up to abrasion from coral and shell better than nylon.

  • Is 15 lb too heavy for bonefish?

    Not around coral, mangroves or big fish. On very calm, shallow flats with spooky fish, a longer or 12 lb tippet gets more eats.

  • Why a double uni knot at the first join?

    The 50 lb butt and 30 lb section are far apart in diameter. A double uni knot holds that join where a blood knot struggles to seat.

  • What flies suit it?

    Shrimp and crab patterns that sink to the bottom and are stripped slowly in front of feeding fish.

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