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.
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1 to 20 of 49 rigs
- Total length10' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots5Time to tie4.5min40 lb.024"30 lb.021"20 lb.017"15 lb.015"30 lb.020"BUTT · 42"TAPER · 30"TAPER · 18"TIPPET · 18"TIPPET · 12"
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"TechniqueStreamerKnots4Time to tie2.25min40 lb.026"30 lb.022"20 lb.018"15 lb.016"BUTT · 36"TAPER · 12"TAPER · 24"TIPPET · 24"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"TechniqueStreamerKnots5Time to tie2.5min20 lb.017"Maxima Chameleon12 lb.013"Maxima HV12 lb.013"8 lb2X.009"Umpqua Sighter11 lb1X.010"RIO Two Tone Indicator~8 lb3X.008"BUTT · 24 FTTAPER · 24"TAPER · 12"SIGHTER · 12"SIGHTER · 14"TIPPET · 36"A 9-foot (108 inch) streamer leader for floating lines. It runs 48 inches of 25 lb mono (.021"), 36 inches of 16 lb mono (.016") and 24 inches of 10 lb fluorocarbon tippet (.011"). The extra length keeps the fly line away from wary fish in clear or slow water, and the stout butt still turns over a streamer.
Total length9' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots3Time to tie2min25 lb.021"16 lb.016"10 lb0X.011"BUTT · 48"TAPER · 36"TIPPET · 24"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.
Total length8' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots3Time to tie1.75min60 lb.030"30 lb.022"40 lb.024"BUTT · 48"TAPER · 36"TIPPET · 12"A 6-foot (72 inch) streamer leader for floating lines. It runs 36 inches of 25 lb mono (.021"), 24 inches of 16 lb mono (.016") and 12 inches of 10 lb fluorocarbon tippet (.011"). The heavy butt and short length turn over weighted and bulky streamers with control, and the fluoro tip is tough against teeth, rocks and wood.
Total length6' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots3Time to tie2min25 lb.021"16 lb.016"10 lb0X.011"BUTT · 36"TAPER · 24"TIPPET · 12"A 4-foot winter steelhead leader for sink tips, all in Maxima Ultra Green: 20" of 30 lb (.022"), 10" of 20 lb (.017") and 18" of 12 lb (.013"), joined with triple surgeon's knots. Short and stout, it turns over big weighted winter flies and keeps them near the depth of the tip.
Total length4' 0"TechniqueSteelheadKnots3Time to tie1.5min30 lb.022"Maxima UG20 lb.017"Maxima UG12 lb.013"Maxima UGBUTT · 20"TAPER · 10"TIPPET · 18"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.
Total length11' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots4Time to tie2min30 lb.022"20 lb.017"15 lb.015"12 lb.013"BUTT · 60"TAPER · 30"TAPER · 15"TIPPET · 27"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.
Total length11' 6"TechniqueStreamerKnots6Time to tie4.25min60 lb.032"40 lb.024"30 lb.022"20 lb.017"16 lb.016"40 lb.025"BUTT · 36"TAPER · 24"TAPER · 24"TAPER · 24"TAPER · 18"TIPPET · 12"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.
Total length10' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots4Time to tie4.25min60 lb.032"40 lb.024"16 lb.016"60 lb.028"BUTT · 48"TAPER · 30"TIPPET · 30"TIPPET · 12"A heavy, modular leader for nymphs and streamers, built from RIO Powerflex: 72" of 30 lb (.017"), a 4 mm heavy tippet ring, 36" of 20 lb (.013"), a second 4 mm ring, and 36" of 10 lb 2X (.009") tippet, for 12' in all. The rings let you change tippets without shortening the leader, and the stout pieces turn over weighted flies.
Total length12' 0"TechniqueNymphKnots1Time to tie0.5min30 lb.017"RIO Powerflex20 lb.013"RIO Powerflex10 lb2X.009"RIO PowerflexBUTT · 6 FTTAPER · 36"TIPPET · 36"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.
Total length7' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots3Time to tie1.75min40 lb.024"30 lb.020"20 lb.016"BUTT · 36"TAPER · 24"TIPPET · 24"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.
Total length9' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots4Time to tie3.25min50 lb.026"30 lb.020"25 lb.018"15 lb.013"BUTT · 48"TAPER · 24"TAPER · 12"TIPPET · 24"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.
Total length7' 7"TechniqueStreamerKnots3Time to tie2.5min.024".019".014"BUTT · 39"TAPER · 26"TIPPET · 26"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.
Total length12' 6"TechniqueStreamerKnots4Time to tie4.5min.030".024".015".027"BUTT · 6 FTTAPER · 48"TIPPET · 18"TIPPET · 12"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.
Total length11' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots5Time to tie4min.033".028".026".024".016"BUTT · 46"TAPER · 23"TAPER · 23"TAPER · 17"TIPPET · 23"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.
Total length11' 0"TechniqueStreamerKnots4Time to tie2min30 lb.022"20 lb.017"15 lb.015"12 lb.013"BUTT · 60"TAPER · 30"TAPER · 15"TIPPET · 27"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.
Total length11' 6"TechniqueStreamerKnots5Time to tie4.5min60 lb.030"40 lb.024"30 lb.020"20 lb.016"50 lb.026"BUTT · 60"TAPER · 12"TAPER · 24"TIPPET · 18"TIPPET · 24"A 30" streamer leader for trout on a sinking line or sink tip. It is two pieces: 12" of RIO Powerflex 0X (15 lb, .011") as a butt, joined with a triple surgeon's knot to 18" of 6 lb Drennan fluorocarbon. Kept short so the fly stays down where the line takes it.
Total length2' 6"TechniqueStreamerKnots2Time to tie1min15 lb0X.011"RIO Powerflex~8 lb3X.008"Drennan FluorocarbonBUTT · 12"TIPPET · 18"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.
Total length6' 11"TechniqueStreamerKnots5Time to tie4.5min.028".024".021".018".014"BUTT · 32"TAPER · 19"TAPER · 10"TAPER · 6"TIPPET · 16"