Shooting Heads

[StudentofTheStream]

How many of you guys utilize shooting heads for any type of fly fishing. I've been thinking about getting some shooting line and perhaps a couple different types of heads for fishing in the surf or casting for steelhead from the lake shore.

I have heard of issues with the loops they put on but I figured I would just make my own welded loops to mitigate those issues.

Any thoughts from you surf guys or anyone else?

 

[tomgamber]

I have a set mini shooting heads and I only really use them for fishing deep from the kayak or float tube. I have an intermediate line and I just put that spool on the reel unless I really need to go deep and right now.

Never had a loop problem. Got mine on sale. Orvis...I don't think they even make them any more. Get some lead core line and make your own.

 

[StudentofTheStream]

I've been kicking around making my own Tom but as far as using lead core to do so I'm at a loss. Is there a fly line company that sells a lead core fly line or are you referring to something like a lead core trolling line?

If so I'm not sure how you would build the weighted front end out of that. Any suggestions?

I was thinking of building floating and intermediate heads out of some cheap DT lines.

 

[tomgamber]

I was just talking about making some mini lead-heads you could pop on to fish deeper. If you are looking for a multi-tip line system, I'd just buy one.

orvis has one
I thought Cabelas sold one but I can't find it...

 

[pete41]

Use amnesia for running line-no coils
Sc. anglers use to carry different densities-
a very ,very good trick is to get two sizes bigger than your rod and you can cut some off the back[not tippet end] making the head shorter-cuts down on wind resistance and makes it easier to cast-
I use to use shooting heads exclusively on big rivers in Montana-didn't even own any regular lines for my 7 and 8 weights.
Once you get use to them you wonder why everyone doesn't
[because they are meant to cast halfway across the Susky]
a little much for yellow breeches.lol

 

[Fredrick]

Try this line 30 bucs can't go wrong
http://www.albrightflyfish.com/fly-lines/xxt-intermediate-lines.html

 

[sandfly]

I built my own for years by cutting regular fly lines up. also did line spliceing to make custom lines. I like the rio heads now. with cortland braided mono for shooting line, no tangles and goes a country mile.

 

[CRB]

Rio has a bulk Tungsten line and Cortland sells a sinking head kit where you make your own lengths. Lake Erie Ultimate Anglers up here in Erie stocks it. Look for the contact on the fly shop link

 

[sandfly]

Cortland also sells lead core by the rolls, or if a dealers carries it it sells by the foot