OK, I have seen the charts on building leaders but I would like to hear from you guys on how you build your leaders. I have done a poor job so far. I usually build them with monofilament for top water flies and a combination of monofilament with the final piece being fluorocarbon for subsurface flies. Its usually a combination of 20 -14 - 8 lb lines.
I bought a roll of cheap 50 lb. but it seemed so stiff I didn't use it. I fish alot for bluegill and they are line shy.

How do you build yours? 2,3 or 4 sections? All fluorocarbon or all monofilament? Test line sizes? Lengths? Do you use only one brand of fishing line or mix lines? Do you use loops, blood knots or surgeons knots?

I furl mine. I used to sell them but it wasn't profitable. But having a jig, furling what I need, works well.
That being said, for tying them, I'd use Lefty Kreh's formula. Plain old mono seems to do the trick for me. 30/20/10, usually the last 10 section can be the tippet.

I run 30/20/10/4 on the 2 wt. 30/20/8(or 6) on the 5 wts. 30/20/12 on the 6 wt. 50/30/20/12 on the 8s, 10, and 12. longer lengths on the heavier sections, tapering down to shorter lengths.

Thanks guys, any particular brand of line?

Pretty much any mono that you'd fish with. No need to go overboard but not Dollar Store stuff either.

I use a furled leader with a tippet ring on the tappered end and loop on the other end... I usually tie p-line fluorocarbon 8lb for last section usually just make it 30"

I use Chico Fernandez's 50/30/20 formula. I use them in both fresh and saltwater.

http://midcurrent.com/techniques/saltwater-tippet-in-your-favor/

Thanks txbassnewbie and Capt. Mac. Interesting read.

Does anyone use straight fluorocarbon or just fluorocarbon tippets?

What brand of 50lb. test line do you use? The one I purchased was very stiff.

J-Moe, I just use inexpensive line for the heavy end. I hate loops, and I secure it with a nail knot and coat that with some CCG or Loon's Knot Sense so it will slip through the guides easier. I usually coat all of the knots; they pick up less grass that way when that pesky grass is floating around. Use quality line for the light end. I generally secure the tippet with a surgeon's knot. With lighter tippets I use a triple knot; heavier tippets get a double.

Many folks in salt water just use a straight length of 20# Mason's Hard Monofilament for the whole leader, and swear by it. Never tried it myself, so I have no opinion on how it compares.

Great information Jim.

It might not be leader building, but I will keep/use the heavy end of a store bought leader (5X) then just tie down 8-6-4lb mono.

I think I'm a simpleton...

Thanks tbates, I've tie on more tippet material on store bought leaders, not quite like that though.

I run straight 30-50lb fluoro on the jetties and surf. I'm using an intermediate line so only 5-7ft leader. Most warm water fishing I'll just find whatever leader butts in my pack and tie on some tippet unless they're really skiddish. Trout on the other hand I make sure it's a nice leader lol