Baby Tarpon Leaders

[john]

Maybe a beginner Q. I was tying what I thought would be OK tarpon leaders last nite, and wanted some for an 8wt. to fire into the mangroves in Belize. The tarpon are probably 8-20# fish. Was using Mason 25# to #20 to 16# with a 40# Orvis SS bite tippet. The 25 and 20 Mason had more diameter and stiffness and seemed to offer(visually) more abrasion resistance than the 40#SS, or even some 60# I had. Is there more abrasion resistance in the higher test, even though it's a smaller diameter and limper line?

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Our standard baby tarpon/snook leader is:

4-5' of Mason clear hard 25# for a butt section

2' of 20# Mason for the breaking tippet

2' of 30# Mason for the bite/shock tippet
(60# Rio FC is the same diameter as the 30# Mason)

We use Albright knots for most of it.

[Leo]

Hey John
You should ask Kiene to show you the new twisted leader tied with 20 lb mono with a 40 or 50 lb bite section for baby tarpon and 80 to 100 bite for larger fish. It has been used sucessfully for tarpon up to 140 lbs and sailfish up to 80 lbs.
Leo

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

If anyone wants to see/learn the twisted leader we have been using for salt water they would have to come into the shop.

I was introduced to us by Leo Gutterres here from Stockton.

It has several good points but what I like best is that it goes loop to loop with no knot at the top of the leader.