Sinking lines for streamer fishing

[Gibbon]

Hello,

For those who use a sink tip line for streamer fishing, I was wondering what sink rate you prefer. I am thinking streams like Pine creek, Penns or the LJ?

 

[jifigz]

I have a sink tip line in a 6 weight that I use occasionally for lakes. It sits around on an old Okuma SLV. For Penns, Pine, or Little J, I would NOT recommend a sink tip line to fish streamers. Sure, others will disagree, but I have done a lot streamer fishing, and those streams aren't very deep in all that many places. Depending on the type of streamer being fished, you can fish up to 8 feet deep or so with the right leader, and that is plenty deep for 99% of all situations on those streams.

 

[TerrellBFly]

Ive found in Pa, you don't need crazy deep streamer lines for the rivers/creeks. I use the Cortland Streamer series on my 7wt with the 3"IPS". If i need it to get deep, I just delay my retrieve and let it sink to where I think it needs to be. They have various sinking rates available.

Streamer Sink Tip 10 T3

The Streamer Series Streamer Sink Tip 10 T3 is designed for targeting trout in shallow creeks and rivers. Built with an aggressive short taper design that features a 10ft Type 3 sink tip (3-4 inches per second). The over-weighted head loads rods quick and easily casts all streamer patterns. -...

www.cortlandline.com

 

[tjsingle]

I am partial to Orvis Depth Charge or Bank Shot. Both are 6ips and 7ips respectively. Snags happen, but typically I am fishing a streamer with deer hair that otherwise would be pretty buoyant.

 

[DomR]

I have a 444 sink tip that I got years ago specifically for fishing streamers early season on the D and Lackawaxen, it works for that purpose very well. But it's a PITA pick up and cast, I haven't touched it in years.

 

[ROVERT]

I have a sinking line and I never use it. If I need to get my streamer down, I slide a tungsten flipping weight/bass weight on my leader in front of my streamer.

 

[Skook]

Cortland recently partnered with Kelly Galloup, and they are set to introduce newly designed sinking/streamer lines this spring. I would guess just weeks from now. It might be worth waiting to see what they come up with; although I doubt the new lines will revolutionize streamer fishing.

I suggest searching YouTube for some of Kelly's streamer fishing videos. He is one of the most highly regarded streamer fishermen, and he is not shy about letting you know it, lol. Even though he fishes a lot of sinking or sinking head lines, he does not usually fish them deep. He has said on multiple occasions that most of his fish are caught on streamers over two or three feet of water. So, he doesn't use sinking lines to necessarily fish deep.

Often, he can watch his streamer being retrieved just under the surface and see the fish's take. The sinking line provides a direct connection with the leader and fly without creating a hinge effect you can get with a floating line, mono leader and subsurface fly. This gives the fisherman more control over the fly's depth and movement in the water. The moment you start retrieving the fly, the line essentially stops sinking. You can fish it shallow or fish it a bit deeper depending upon when you start your retrieve.

I don't have much experience with sinking lines and streamers, but I've been looking into it, and I hope to incorporate more of it into my fishing.

 

[Ladove]

That just depends on the water you want to fish, and the flies that you want to fish. Heavy dumbbell eye streamers you almost don’t need a sinking line , a floating like or a lighter sink time will work fine. I fish a weighted tip lines 95% of the time, and I’ll vary it between an intermediate tip, a 3isp-4isp, a 6isp with a short head, and a 7isp-8isp with a short head. It all just depends on the situation, and the flies you’re fishing.

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Like a previous poster said you dont need crazy deep streamer lines for pa. Were not fishing the columbia. Skagit..cowlitz etc some of ya make this type of fishing here in pa waaaay to technical...and complicated than it has to be.....little hint..watch a old time minnow fisherman and you will learn ALOT 😉

 

[MarkC]

I have a Type 3 five weight (fished on a 4 weight rod) for streams like Penns / Pine / Little J, and a Type 5 seven weight (fished on a 6 weight rod) for the big pools on the Delaware for trout, smallmouth, and stripers.

They cast like a dream (when paired with the right rod) and eliminate the need for weighted flys.

Mark C

 

[Gibbon]

Thanks for the replies. I currently have an Airflo Kelly Galloup streamer max 220gn on a 6wt. I saw MRFC has Cortland sink tips 40% off and was considering a type 3 to try. I have been experimenting with sinking lines for buoyant and unweighted streamers.

 

[albatross]

Thanks for the replies. I currently have an Airflo Kelly Galloup streamer max 220gn on a 6wt. I saw MRFC has Cortland sink tips 40% off and was considering a type 3 to try. I have been experimenting with sinking lines for buoyant and unweighted streamers.

Great sale on lines at MRFC MRFC Line Sale I got a sink tip 7 wt and an aggressive taper WF6F for cicada fishing.