Best Leaders for Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon etc.
Bonefish & Permit Leader Packs
The best leaders for these species are the pre-made ones from RIO and Scientific Anglers (usually abbreviated as SA). Easy, simple - relax.
This is a funny subject and customers panic all the time about it. No need to stress about this topic, it is not a big deal. The best leaders for these species are the pre-made ones from Umpqua and Scientific Anglers (usually abbreviated as SA). With those two brands it's hard to go wrong. But people get really obsessed with this question. First of all, if you are that fanatical just make your own leaders. Otherwise listen to a pro who tells people every day not to stress out so much. For example: Nobody buys 8lb test leaders for Bonefish anymore because it's unwise, especially for beginners. I still get people freaking out about this. Or 10lb vs 12lb, which again does not matter much just get 12lb Bonefish leaders, guys. It will be fine. Worst case the guide just ties on a bit of 10lb tippet for you or he makes you a new leader. It's fine.
I have a good story to explain all of this, based on many years of experience selling fly fishing gear. Customers shopping for fluorocarbon Bonefish leaders will not buy SA Fluoro leaders because they don't say "Bonefish" on them the way the mono leaders do. RIO makes one that says "Bonefish/Saltwater" for their fluoro so people buy that one instead. Very silly. This happens all the time. And they think I am an idiot who doesn't know what he is talking about. Ok. Anyway, I will get people whatever leaders they feel they have to have. But so many of you come to me with these wild ideas stuck in your heads about what you "have to have" that there's no flexibility or room to learn.
Here's another example: Lodges tell you to pack certain things, and I get that. But I also know most of the packing lists and requirements from ALL of the big destinations. Plus, I know exactly what leaders I sell and how many of them every year. I'm the guy who orders them from Scientific Anglers and RIO... And my top destinations I set people up for are: Belize, Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico, Costa Rica, and of course here at home in Florida we have fishing throughout the state, with a lot of it in South Florida and the Keys. I grew up here, I fished my entire life. And I still get people arguing with me that they "have to have" something specific. You don't, you should listen to the advice you are getting from a pro.
