Why is the butt so heavy?

A .028" butt carries the energy of a 6-8 wt line into the leader, so a bulky, air-resistant bug still turns over instead of folding back on the cast.

Can I make the tippet lighter?

Not much. Bass bugs twist light tippet and bass live in cover, so the .014" tippet is there to turn the bug over and to pull fish out of weeds and wood.

Bass are not leader shy around cover, and a short leader puts the bug exactly where it is aimed. At 83" this leader stays accurate under overhanging branches and along docks.

What knots does it use?

Blood knots join the five sections, and the fly goes on with an improved clinch knot.

Streamer · Smallmouth Bass

Rajeff 7-Foot Bass Bug Leader

A 7-foot bass bug leader after Steve Rajeff's formula: five sections of mono stepping from a .028" butt to a .014" tippet, joined with blood knots. The long, heavy butt and short taper carry wind-resistant poppers and hair bugs and turn them over on a 6-8 wt line. It is built for casting bugs tight to cover, not for delicacy.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.028"

.024"

.021"

.018"

.014"

BUTT · 32"

TAPER · 19"

TAPER · 10"

TAPER · 6"

TIPPET · 16"

.028"

.024"

.021"

.018"

.014"

BUTT · 32"

TAPER · 19"

TAPER · 10"

TAPER · 6"

TIPPET · 16"

Total length6' 11"

Rod6-8 wt

Flies1

Knots5

WaterLake or reservoir, Big river

Move across the drawing to pan. Point at a fly or a knot to see what it is; select a knot for how to tie it.Drag the drawing to pan. Tap a fly for what it does, a knot for how to tie it.

Build your leader

6' 11" of line · 5 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 32" · .028"19" · .024"10" · .021"6" · .018"16" · .014"

Butt .028"234.014"

Section	Length	Diameter and size	Material	Connection
01Butt	32"	.028"	Mono	Fly line loop
02Mid	19"	.024"	Mono	Blood knot
03Mid	10"	.021"	Mono	Blood knot
04Mid	6"	.018"	Mono	Blood knot
05Tippet	16"	.014"	Mono	Blood knot

Tie it

0 of 5 done

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

How to tie it

Build the tapered leader
Join the 32" butt to the 19" mid with a blood knot. Add 10" of .021" with a blood knot. Add 6" of .018" with a blood knot. Add 16" of .014" with a blood knot.
Tie a blood knot
Tie on the fly
Tie the fly to the 16" tippet with an improved clinch knot.
Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

Blood knot · 5 turns×4
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

Fish it for largemouth and smallmouth around weed edges, docks, rock and timber. Tie the bug on with an improved clinch knot, cast it close to cover and let the rings fade before the first pop. Work it back with short strips and pauses, and set with a strip rather than lifting the rod. The 83" length keeps casts accurate at the short ranges bass fishing calls for.

If a bug starts spinning or the cast collapses, check the tippet: a twisted or shortened tippet ruins turnover. Replace it with a fresh 16" piece of .014" mono.

Common questions

Why is the butt so heavy?
A .028" butt carries the energy of a 6-8 wt line into the leader, so a bulky, air-resistant bug still turns over instead of folding back on the cast.
Can I make the tippet lighter?
Not much. Bass bugs twist light tippet and bass live in cover, so the .014" tippet is there to turn the bug over and to pull fish out of weeds and wood.
Why only seven feet?
Bass are not leader shy around cover, and a short leader puts the bug exactly where it is aimed. At 83" this leader stays accurate under overhanging branches and along docks.
What knots does it use?
Blood knots join the five sections, and the fly goes on with an improved clinch knot.

Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass Streamer Lake Big river

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