Quick and easy leader setup

[PW]

Any advice on a simple leader setup for strippers? I've never fished the big pond before with a fly rod. I'll be fishing the mouth of the Merrimack from a 22' boat so the potential for a big fish might not be out of the question. All I have is 9Wt so I might be pushing it but I'd like to give it a shot. I have a spool of 20lb and 40lb mono that I thought would work. I was going to attach 5 or 6 feet of 40 lb to my line with a nail knot and then add another couple feet of 20lb. Might not cast that great but I'm not going to need to throw a lot of line out since we can motor up to the feeding fish. If any of you Salt guys have a better suggestion I'm all ears!!!

Paul-

[Blake P]

This is what I would do.
It depends on what line you will be using. The knots connecting to the leader butt will be different.
I use a sinking line, so I use an Albright knot to connect it to the leader butt about 18 inches of 35-50lb mono. At the end of that tie a perfection loop. Then you can choose your tippet material. This year and last year I have been using Trilene Super Fluro, 12 lb, I think I may be a little light, however it is capable of handling a large fish in most conditions. I have to change the leader quite often from fish and rocks and other various obsticles. I make that leader about 7-8 ft.
I really don't think the fish are too picky butt I like to use large clousers tied on 4/0 hooks. I let the line sink for about 15 seconds then let it rip.
If I am from shore I will try to find a place that will allow me not to use a stipping basket, I always have one with me. I feel you get a better strip.
From the boat the same.
Do your best to cast up the current and get it down. I debate this with my buddy all the time. It really doesn't amtter if you are casting to busting fish.
The nice thing about Striper fishing is that you never know when Big Mama is going to hit unless you see one follow it and swim away.

[BugChucka]

To specifically answer your question..... the 40 and 20 would work fine. The easiest way is obviously to get a knotless tapered leader and add tippet. I like using a flouro tippet ( more abrasion resistant and less visible). If your going to run the 40/20 just make sure your knots are solid and go fish. You'd probably get a better turnover if you threw into the mix another diameter but yes....you can get by with the 40/20 fine.

[Fish_King_7]

The easiest and in my opinion best leaders for stripers are ones you tie urself. Personally I like using a surgeons knot, only bcuz I have a very hard time with an albright not, :). As for material I use Trilene big game, its cheap, and its all u need. For leader lengths and tapers depend on the fly. I use 40-30-20 almost all of the time using usually either 3' sections of each or 40lbs-4' 30lbs 2-3' and 20lbs 2-3'. When its windy or your throwing big flies however, i tend to use only a short section of 20 and shorten all the others as well. I have found that stripers are usually not leader shy and using strait mono like this is easy and quite effective as well as cost effective.

Caleb