More questions on sinking lines

[SteveL]

I am struggling to understand sinking flylines and every time I think I am getting close I get confused again. For this set of questions I am primarily interested in relatively fast sinking lines for tidewater use for shad, stripers, croakers, specks, and grey trout (and whatever else); I also use intermediate lines and I will save questions on those for another post. I pretty much assume that I need 2 or 3 lines for each rod to cover different conditions I appreciate any and all thoughts on this stuff!

I just purchased some Air-Flo Depthfinder Flyline in 200 grains to try for hickories on the Potomac with a 6/7 wt rod; several Flyboard members commented that they like this line for that use. It is supposedly denser than some others due to tungsten particles in the line; I think it has a 7 ips sink rate. It has a 30 foot full sink head attached to a floating line so it seems to me its really a sink tip. Is this the only kind of Air-Flo Depthfinder Flyline; is this what was recommended by some for hickories in big rivers like the Potomac?

I also purchased some Cortland 555 Quick Descent Fly Line for a 9 wt for stripers and whatever else I may get lucky enough to catch in the Bay. A number of flyfishers have recommended this line; I seem to remember that Capt. Brady spoke highly of it. I always assumed it was a full sinking line, but this is a 30 full sink section followed by an intermediate section–the full sink part is something like 6 ips sink rate. Is this the only kind of Cortland 555 Quick Descent Fly Line, or are there others that are sinking the entire length?

Cortland makes a full sink in Cortland 444SL Steady Sink Fly Line with several sink rates available, the fastest sinking one is 6.25-7 ips sink rate. Any thoughts on this line?

I have heard mention of "Walt's line", developed by boardmember Saltfly; what is the trade name of this line, who makes it, and where can you buy it.

I always heard lots of good stuff on the Teeny sinking lines, but the ones I saw for sale online were also sink tips. What is the favorite Teeny line? I noticed OMC posted that he dislikes Teeny, any other thoughts–good or bad--on this line?

So what are your go-to sinking line choices? Do you typically use ones that are what the rod is rated for or do you go up one wt–a 10 wt line on a 9 wt rod?

[OneMoreCast]

Full sink lines......are the bomb Steve. They cast much better than a shooting head type of intergrated sink line. I like to cast. I think it is just as much part of the game as tying flies and finding fish. You kind of launch those shooting heads. But that's just me...it's okay if you like them. My beef with Teeny is that in cold water or weather it tangles like nothing else in the world. The line just has a lot of memory. I strongly suggest avoiding it under all circumstances. If I had any left, I'd give it to you ...nah you're a nice guy..I couldn't do that to ya..

Orvis makes a great line called Density Compensated. It is a full sink. Casts like a dream and sinks like a stone...uniformly.
Take a lesson from the conventional guys. If the fish are suspended at let's say 20 ft..do you want your fly out of that zone as you are retreiving? As you retreive the shooting heads, they rise considerably. Some people will say that it imitates the bait trying to get away. Me, I'd rather have that fly on their nose for as long as possible. I don't think a dc line is ideal for fishing from the shore though. You will get snagged way too often.
For scraping the bottom in almost any current...Rio Deep 7. It casts better than t14. It sinks so effectively because it has an extremely thin diameter. This helps tremendously in any situation that heavy current is a factor. (hint hint hint)
These are just my humble opinions.....

[bhorsley]

i also use sink tip for our charter fishing --bluefish to amberjacks. I think more people use sink tips than fullk sinks.

To me sink tips like the Cortland QD or Rio DC, Striper DC or Deep Sea are much easier to handle and cast. I do have several full sinks but rarely use them.

[Flying Fish]

Wow, lots of questions. You're going to have to go out and try some lines. First, though, let me agree with OMC in preferring full-sink to sink-tip lines for any application I've found so far. They cast better, they sink better, and they allow you to keep the fly in the zone better. That goes for sink-rates from intermediate through super-fast, and it goes for rivers, the bay, and the ocean.

Many full-sink lines come rated by fly-rod weight, and I tend to follow those recommendations. If distance is a big issue, I might go lighter (that is a 7-weight line on an 8-weight rod), if it's not, then I might go a bit heavier.

With a Teeny sink-tip, I put a 130 grain on a 6-weight, 200 on a 7-weight, 250-300 on an 8-weight, 300-350 on a 9-weight, and 450 on a 10-weight.

FF

[OneMoreCast]

See Steve, everone is different. You can't argue with Brian about anything fly fishing that's for sure. (I'm not going to anyway .[wink] I think you should heed his advice. Rio products are awesome. Try different lines out and see what suits your style the best. I'm a bit off center but you knew that already.

edit....(so is Doug)

[bhorsley]

omc--
i guess it is personal preference. I got a couple of RIO Hyper sinks and they sink and stay down but for my big old numby fingers a little tough to handle.

And many of my clients are first time or once or twice a year saltwater anglers and sink tips seem to work better.

I like this thread--just rigging up for the up comming season--think i will try a Hyper sink again.

[OneMoreCast]

Brian....
Mike has nothing but great things to say about Golfito. He asked me to head out with you guys next year. I can't...but I'll be chillin in Costa with the crew in 2.
I'm glad you brought up hypersink. It is incredible. You are on the rio pro staff now right? Congrats.....get them to send you rio lake deep 7. Yeah...it tangles a bit..you have to use a stripping basket. But man, it'll get down to those reef donkey's in a heartbeat. Might be better for you or Sarah to cast than a 2 time sport.
We're going down to hatteras in a month for yellowfin. OH BABY!!!!!! Can't wait....I'm already thinking about the rigs.

I'll post on your board as to what the leader setup should be.

[bhorsley]

Sarah and i were both honored to asked to be on the Rio Pro Staff.
Just spooled up a hyper 10. will give it a shot.
Wish you could make the trip to Golfito next year but there is always the following year.

If the ajs are deep the best set up i have found is 1150 grain Tungsten Dredger and 13 wt.
Keep me up dated on the HAtteras Tuna --love them tunas

[Cutter]

Brian,

Maybe I should bring OMC down for AJs in june? It will appeal to the trout fisherman in him[grin]

As for lines, I'm going to try t14 heads on the wrecks this year, not because I like the way they cast, but because I don't want to trash a couple hundred worth of lines again.

Deep 7 is good for getting down, but tangles like a b**ch.

I'm just getting into Rio heads, but I like them a lot so far.

As always the answer is to cast a few differt things and see what works for you.

[bhorsley]

Cutter,
try the new rio running line --we used all winter and it was great with T-14--sinks like a stone

Oh yeah bring OMC --AJs are good for the soul