Rigs and leaders for saltwater fishing, each with the cut list, the knots and their turns, and the tying time.
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.
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.
An 8-foot snook leader with a heavy butt and a fast taper, built to turn over bulky baitfish flies into the wind. It runs 48 inches of 60 lb mono (.030") to 36 inches of 30 lb mono (.022"), joined with triple surgeon's knots, and ends in a 12 inch bite tippet of 40 lb fluorocarbon (.024"). The bite tippet takes the wear from a snook's rough mouth and gill plates, and the fly hangs on a non-slip loop knot so it swims freely.
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.
An 11.5-foot tarpon leader that tapers in even steps: 36 inches of 60 lb mono (.032"), then 24 inches each of 40 lb (.024"), 30 lb (.022") and 20 lb (.017"), an 18 inch class tippet of 16 lb (.016"), and a 12 inch shock of 40 lb fluorocarbon (.025"). The gradual taper turns over a tarpon fly smoothly, the class tippet sets the breaking strength, and the shock tippet takes the wear of a tarpon's rough mouth. It suits juvenile and mid-sized tarpon on a 9-11 wt.
A 10-foot tarpon leader built the classic way: a 48" butt of 60 lb mono (.032"), 30" of 40 lb mono (.024"), a 30" 16 lb class tippet (.016") and a 12" bite tippet of 60 lb fluorocarbon (.028"). Albright knots join the class tippet to the heavier line on both sides, and a non-slip loop knot ties on the fly so it swims freely.
A heavier do-it-yourself saltwater leader: 36" of 40 lb fluorocarbon, 24" of 30 lb, and a 24" tip of 20 lb, for 7' in all. It is short and stout so it turns over bulky flies in wind and stands up to hard-running fish, rough mouths and structure. The fly goes on with a non-slip loop knot so it swims freely.
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.
A simple 7.5-foot (91 inch) saltwater leader for 8-9 wt rods, tied from three pieces of fluorocarbon: 39 inches of .024, 26 inches of .019 and 26 inches of .014. It turns over weighted shrimp, crab and baitfish patterns in wind, and the fluorocarbon sinks and stands up to abrasion. It is quick to tie on a boat or beach.
A 12.5-foot tarpon leader for an 11-12 wt. It runs 72 inches of 60 lb mono, 48 inches of 40 lb mono and an 18 inch class tippet of 16 lb, ending in a 12 inch bite tippet of 50 lb fluorocarbon. The heavy butt turns over big tarpon flies, the class tippet sets the breaking strength, and the bite tippet takes the wear of a tarpon's rough jaw.
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.
An 11.5-foot tarpon leader for a 12 wt, all fluorocarbon. A 60 inch butt of 60 lb steps to 12 inches of 40 lb and 24 inches of 30 lb, then an 18 inch class tippet of 20 lb and a 24 inch bite tippet of 50 lb. The stepped butt turns over big tarpon flies on a 12 wt line, the class tippet sets the breaking strength, and the bite tippet stands up to a big tarpon's rough mouth.
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.
A 10-foot bonefish leader for 7-9 wt rods, mono through the butt and middle and fluorocarbon at the tip. Four mono sections step from .021" to .013", then a 15" tip of 1X fluorocarbon at .010". It is the lighter version of the 0X leader, for calm, clear flats and smaller flies where fish are wary.
A 10-foot bonefish leader for 7-9 wt rods, mono through the butt and middle and fluorocarbon at the tip. Four mono sections step from .021" to .014", then a 15" tip of 0X fluorocarbon at .011". The stiff mono turns over a weighted flats fly into wind, and the fluoro tip sinks with the fly and stands up to coral and shells.
A 10-foot tarpon leader for an 8-10 wt rod. 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 40 lb fluorocarbon (.023"), which stands up to a tarpon's rough mouth. The fly is a 1/0 Tarpon Toad on a non-slip loop knot.
A 10-foot bonefish leader for 7-9 weight rods. A 60" butt of .020" mono drops quickly through .018", .014" and .012" to a 24" tip of 1X at .010". The long butt drives a weighted flats fly into the wind, and the 1X tip is light enough for clear water and strong enough to hold a running bonefish.
A 12-foot tapered monofilament leader built to turn over streamer flies smoothly and deliver them with precision on the flats. It steps down through six sections from 30 lb butt to a 17 lb fluorocarbon tip, giving you the power to cast distance while maintaining delicate presentation where bones are feeding.
An 11.5-foot mono leader for wading the coast after sea trout with flies from #8 to #2. A 69 inch butt of .015" carries the cast into the wind, then it steps through 21 inches of .012" and 21 inches of 0X, .011" to a 28 inch tippet of 2X, .009". The length keeps the fly line away from fish cruising in clear, shallow water, and the 2X tip stands up to hard takes, stones and weed.
