sink tip fly line

[crappiecrazy]

Anyone have any experience with "sink tip" fly lines. Been read a book called "Bluegill" by Terry and Roxanne Willson, they discuss sink tip lines.

[dixieangler]

Anyone have any experience with "sink tip" fly lines.

I have used sink tips and really don't like them but I know a lot of folks that do so I think it is a matter of personal preference. What you are comfortable casting and using. I prefer a weight forward (WF) slow sink (type 1 or type 2) full sinking line (in my case, a WF-5-S), especially for Specks. It gives them more time to see the fly on the drop and when I retrieve the fly, the line is straight to the fly with no severe downward arc so I can detect bites better. However, I get different results in fly action depending on whether I use unweighted or weighted flies. The fly should drop at less or the same rate as the line for unweighted flies but should drop faster than the line if weighted. Both situations may be an advantage or can be a disadvantage at different times. I also like to use a fluorocarbon tippet on my leader for the sinking line especially with unweighted flies because it pulls the fly down better. I only use the sinking line when the Specks are deeper than the leader on my floating line can reach them. Just my personal preference though.

Here are two articles that discuss both kinds of lines. Links below.

Joe Cornwall likes a slow sink full (uniform) sinking line but also uses a fast sinker at times.
A Calico Time of Year

Tom Keith likes the fast sink tip or fast sinking line anyway.
Wet Flies for Big 'Gills and Crappies

[deathb4disco]

My experience with them is very limited. They are not as much fun to cast as floating lines. I prefer to fish with a floating line and a longer leader to get deep.

The Wilson's book is a good one, BTW.

[crappiecrazy]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will stick with floating line for now!

[Flyrod Man]

I use sink tip line but only WFF for panfish. Sink tip isn't necessary for panfish because they suspend most of the time above structure in deep (15-25 ft) of water. Use a beadhead flies in deep (12-25 ft) water and give them time to sink, many times the fish will take out your line on the drop. Count the sink until this happens, remember the count, thats where they are suspended.

[crappiecrazy]

what type leader/how long would you use with floating line and 100th oz jig.

[Flyrod Man]

My leader length is the length of the rod which is the accepted length altho if you wish you can increase length, but this is mostly done only dry fly fishing for trout. Most times I am using a 8-1/2 ft, 5 wgt rod with a leader that length, the tippet strength I use most times is 3 lb. Of the 8-1/2 ft. leader my tippet length makeup of that leader length is around 30 inches.

[deathb4disco]

what type leader/how long would you use with floating line and 100th oz jig.

Depends on how deep you want to fish. Like Flyrod Man said, 7.5-9' leaders are pretty standard, but a lot of the stillwater trout guys use leaders up to 20'. I don't have to tell you that a 20' leader will be quite a bit harder to cast. Use as long a leader as you're comfortable with, and then gradually add to the length if you need to get deeper.

Also, experiment with level leaders (or at least "less tapered" leaders.) They sink much better than tapered leaders.