Building my own shooting head!

[Ladyfish]

I just got my first shooting head, an Airflo Polyfuse Intermediate. Haven't weighed it yet; but, think this 35 ft. 11 wt. will come in right around target for the 370 grains that I need for the 7/8 wt. x 12' 2-handed rod. Need to decide on a running line and build my first 2-handed shooting head system. Fun! [grin]

So, the decision is what running line to put it on... I'm not ready for straight mono! Permanent connection or loop to loop...

What's your experience with the various combinations?

[SkipS]

Dianne,I have always used Sci Anglers floating shooting line with good results.I did pick up one of their Intermediates last year and it works good also.Usually I use the 20lb shooting line on my 8wt and the 30lb on my 10wt.I have tried the Rio braided shooting line but its really abrasive on your fingers.I whip a large loop big enough to go over a head or plastic line spool on all my shooting lines.This is the way to go for me.On the rear of the heads,I install a braided loop.These slide through the tip and guides easily.I have a T&T 1208 2 hander that im starting to play with and I find the 35ft 11wt clear intermediate heads work best on this rod.Good luck and have fun.

[Cutter]

Dianne,
Look at the post on sinking lines. Brian was recommending a new Rio shooting line that he says is very nice. The man knows his business. I'll be looking for some for T-14 heads.

[tarpon1]

I use shooting heads at IRI and have tried many running lines, cobra-amnesia-braided mono-level 2 wt. flyline-polyshoot running line, and the polyshoot running line works the best for me. the braided mono is good but will cut your fingers. I got my polyshoot at Somerset with the recomondation from one of the guides up there.
Rick

[The Old Man]

I don't know if you are up to the effort, but I built my own running line which works beautifully without many tangles at all, and is hefty enough to handle easily.

90'-100' of Cortland 30-pound braided nylon, and ran fly-line backing (20-pound) up the middle of it...time consuming, had to do it "inchworm" style while watching a ballgame, but it is the best shooting line I've used. Been using for ~3 years now and love the tangle-free aspect, and I had tangle-nightmares using Amnesia before I stumbled on the braid-backing method on the Blanton board.

Whip both ends with double-locking loops a-la Blanton, too. I'll show it to you next time we see each other.

Have a mid-May trip planned to the NE and hope to get that rod from you before that....may need to work out alternate methods of transport, as the FLats look ugly for a while.

Best,

-- Doug

[AlexT]

I would go with this stuff...Rio Intermediate shooting line. Oddly, can't find info on it at their website.

http://www.worldwaters.com/retail/common/shop/prod_detail.asp?store%5Fid=201&dept%5Fid=3&pf%5Fid=FFLNS%5FRIOPR%5F105071

As mentioned on another thread, I think this stuff is great. Shooting heads are a bear enough as it is to cast, and this stuff at least makes it a little easier as it shoots like hell but it more manageable than mono.

I used braided loops for the connection between the shooting line and the head. Although I don't like braid as much as nail-knotted loops, this connection is going through the guides fairly frequently and the the braid makes for a much smoother connection. For security's sake I change the braid twice a year. Buy a roll of braided mono if you don't have it and make your own loops.

[Ladyfish]

Thanks guys,

SkipS, I think that rod is going to be fun! Yes, I already know I don't want the braided stuff. As said, too hard on the hands. Cutter, I saw Brian's post and I'll look at the Rio. Rick, since the head is a Airflo, I'll look at their polyshoot too.

[Ladyfish]

Doug, that's a Max Garth stuffed running line! I may try that in the future...over next winter [wink]. Max is in Australia and recommended the rod I bought. The rod is lighter than most and has a shortened foregrip (designed to not dampen the shorter rod length) which fits me better than the typical 2-hander. Small world!

Thanks for the offer on the whipped loops; but, that sounds like what we typically use for fly line to backing. Bimini loop on the backing and whipped loop on the line. I'm thinking about a permanent connection on this one so I don't have to deal with hinging while I learn. I'm interested in the pro's and con's...

We'll figure out how to get that rod to you. We could always mail it.

Alex, I'm wondering about the differences between a floating running line and an intermediate running line. The tip I have is an intermediate. I haven't decided on whether to use a loop connection or a permanent connection. There are pro's and con's. For the first one I think it needs to be as easy to cast as possible. What about hinging?

[AlexT]

Dianne, I should have realized when you said you were going to use this on a two-hander in the surf that you would be going lighter. I don't use shooting heads except for sinking lines, although I've been meaning to rig one up for shore trips.

Never had a problem with the braided loops hinging, but then again my shooting head rigs are not exactly casting delights anyway. My concern has always been over durability as I have had some braided loops fail in the past. That turned out to be over the material degrading over time and the braid literally falling apart.

[tarpon1]

Ladyfish, if you are getting the hinge affect it is a casting thing not so much the knots. I am not a good caster with the heads but when I get the right amount of line and head past the tip you really find out how well they work A few feet more and there goes the mess. It is a timing thing complicated by the nature of the heavy head. My running line is inter. so as not to be dragged by the surf.
Rick