sink tip lengths?

stevo · 03-24-2010, 06:52 PM

So I got a 30' piece of T14 for my spey rod. I've got a 13' 7 wt witha 540 compact skagit.

I have a 10' piece of T14 already. My question is, into what lengths should I chop up the 30' piece to make some tips?

Thanks

AndyK · 03-25-2010, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo

My question is, into what lengths should I chop up the 30' piece to make some tips?

According to RIO, their seven weight tips weigh 95 gr (109 gr. for 8 wt, 129 gr. for 9 wt, etc.).

If you already have a ten foot length of T-14, try an eight foot and a twelve foot length. You should be able to cast either one with your rod. Even an eight foot length will be heavier then the standard 7 wt. tip.

Here is a link for making your own sink tips:
http://www.flyfishusa.com/newsletter/122709/

Slow and Low · 03-25-2010, 06:27 AM

Bring it with you Sunday.

I like the idea of fishing a length that works well and then having tips in various densities, t8,t11,t14,t17. I like tips at rod length.

steel_beaver · 03-26-2010, 08:25 AM

A guide I fished with last week made the point that since he started fishing shorter tips, he feels more confident that less bites go unnoticed. We always have at least a little bit of a belly (belly=slack) in the line and longer tips possibly can result in a larger belly, therefore less control and sensitivity. This makes sence to a point, but at the same time I dont think 1-2 ft difference in tip length would make that much of a difference. Good presentation should also eliminate that problem, but guides often have no control over their clients' presenation so I can see why he would go with short tips.

I cut my tips at 12ft, 10 ft and 8 ft and change densities as needed. Mostly use the 10 ft, second is the 12 ft. That guide was also using 10 ft of t-14

hooksetter1 · 03-26-2010, 08:37 AM

With a 540grn Skagit head you've got the horsepower available to turn over 15' of t-14 if you really want to... for most of what I do I never need to use more than 12'. 12', 10' and 8' could be good; 12' 9' 6' and 3' could be better. Pick up a cheap 12wt floating or int. spey line off the 'bay and you can make your own cheaters to make each tip 12' (rio just unveiled the MOW tip system based on this concept) so you don't have to change your casting stroke.