Leaders and rigs for carp: the cut list, knots and tying time for each, with a card to print.
A 16-foot all-fluorocarbon leader for sight-fishing carp on shallow flats. It steps down from 24" of 40 lb (.023") through 12" of 30 lb (.020"), 36" each of 20 lb (.016"), 15 lb (.014") and 10 lb (.011"), to 48" of 8 lb tippet (.010"). The length keeps the fly line well away from wary fish, and the fluoro sinks a size 8 weighted carp fly quickly to the bottom.
An 11-foot leader built on the half-again formula: each section is half the length of the one above it. It runs 60 inches of 30 lb mono, 30 inches of 20 lb and 15 inches of 15 lb, then a 27 inch tippet of 12 lb. The long, heavy butt carries the cast's energy down to the fly, so it turns over weighted and wind-resistant flies for flats and warm-water fishing.
A 9 foot 6 inch carp leader for an 8 weight rod. It runs 48 inches of 30 lb Maxima Clear, then 24 inches of 20 lb, 12 inches of 15 lb and 6 inches of 12 lb Maxima Clear, ending in 24 inches of 0X fluorocarbon. The heavy butt turns over a weighted carp fly in wind, and the stout tip holds big fish around weeds and snags.
A 9 foot 6 inch carp leader for a 6 weight rod. It runs 48 inches of 20 lb Maxima Clear, then 24 inches of 15 lb, 12 inches of 12 lb and 6 inches of 8 lb (1X) Maxima Clear, ending in 24 inches of 2X fluorocarbon. The long, stout taper turns over a weighted carp fly and lays it down far enough from the fish to keep it calm.
