Skagit, or sorta' Skagit head

[Salmo_g]

Downriver79 posted a link to a Rage 450, and I ordered it. I'll find out how much tip it can handle. SSPey is sending me a 28' head that weighs 450, so this may be my solution. I looked at Bridge and don't remember exactly, but it seems that lighter heads like the 450 are short, so another deal breaker.

If market response is any indicator, it appears that people who cast sink tips prefer really short shooting heads, be they Skagit or Scandi. I think short heads are great for specialized applications where you have very little casting room. But for general conditions they are horribly inefficient.

 

[Paige]

If your really worried about 2 strips of running line what not just fish a mid spey and be done with it, way more efficient!

 

[Salmo_g]

If your really worried about 2 strips of running line what not just fish a mid spey and be done with it, way more efficient!

I haven't tried one of those lines in a long while, and when I did I wasn't very good at it. For general fishing I prefer integrated lines or at least coated running line. I've got that covered for both floating line and Skagit/sink tip options. I started this thread to address a specific need that I've begun encountering, and that is, longer casts than I can make with integrated lines.

It's uncommon on the Skagit, but there's a place where 110' casts hook more fish than my 80' casts do. And the Clearwater - longer casts are way more productive. And two weeks ago on the Dean, our most productive pool has a spot of nervous water over some boulders that consistently seem to hold fish. And yup, it's beyond my 80' cast with my integrated Skagit or floating line. Long distance casters appear to have one thing in common: they use mono running line.

 

[Paige]

I don't use mono and hit that mark and we'll beyond, sounds like you need a tune up on either gear or technique.
I will add that if your still using old beer can skagits and think skagits with some taper are inferior, you are gravely mistaken and have missed out on 20yrs of line development!

 

[Yard Sale]

If your really worried about 2 strips of running line what not just fish a mid spey and be done with it, way more efficient!

My go to is a 8142 with a Delta multi-tip. I think the heaviest tip is a type 6 or 8 and it'll turn over marabou flies.
If I'm forced to go dirtier than that its the 8130 with an airflo skagit and rabbit parts. Both will go over 100' but I like the shorter rig for heavy work, easier on my junk shoulders.

Glad you found a solution Salmo. I went all over the line map before returning to where I started.

 

[Salmo_g]

I don't use mono and hit that mark and we'll beyond, sounds like you need a tune up on either gear or technique.
I will add that if your still using old beer can skagits and think skagits with some taper are inferior, you are gravely mistaken and have missed out on 20yrs of line development!

My schedule is pretty flexible to meet up with you so you can enlighten my gear and technique. I think I'm a proficient Spey caster although not a particularly good one; i.e., can't even Snake roll.

 

[Paige]

My schedule is pretty flexible to meet up with you so you can enlighten my gear and technique. I think I'm a proficient Spey caster although not a particularly good one; i.e., can't even Snake roll.

I will send ya message when I have a weekend off.

 

[fatbillybob]

I don't use mono and hit that mark and we'll beyond, sounds like you need a tune up on either gear or technique.
I will add that if your still using old beer can skagits and think skagits with some taper are inferior, you are gravely mistaken and have missed out on 20yrs of line development!

I hated mono at first then got SA flat mono then that ridiculously expensive Hazumi mono that was a game changer. It just does not tangle even as much as coated line and just feels light and comfy in hand. Protip with age hands don't work as well and using thicker mono runner not round just feels great in hand. With mono there is more of a fish where your head lands because you can't mend it but I don't think 60ft or coated running line mends well anyway. The other thing is coated runner is more likely to be same break strength as the head. I like a stepdown approach to rigging. I'm using braid backing, mono runner, head, (tip/poly leader) , leader, tippet all stepped down in breaking strength braid to tippet.