sinking line for striper

[jay bird]

I need some information on sinking fly-line for some striper fishing this year on Beaver Lake. The last time I used sinking line was back in the 80's and I just knew it was sinking instead of floating. What I am looking for is depth different lines will get at different speeds of either drift or troll. In the spring striper seem to stay anywhere from the surface to 30 ft of water. As the water warms that depth increases with the thermacline and flyfishing for me becomes difficult. I am guessing that the line is catagorized by speed of decent. What I am looking for if possible is to target specific depth. Example if I had 100ft of line out moving at a speed of 2 MPH I would be at 25ft depth with a (blank sinking line) Thanks for the help.

[Bill Butts]

I need some information on sinking fly-line for some striper fishing this year on Beaver Lake. The last time I used sinking line was back in the 80's and I just knew it was sinking instead of floating. What I am looking for is depth different lines will get at different speeds of either drift or troll. In the spring striper seem to stay anywhere from the surface to 30 ft of water. As the water warms that depth increases with the thermacline and flyfishing for me becomes difficult. I am guessing that the line is catagorized by speed of decent. What I am looking for if possible is to target specific depth. Example if I had 100ft of line out moving at a speed of 2 MPH I would be at 25ft depth with a (blank sinking line) Thanks for the help.

Jay,

I've never done any trolling (dragged a fly behind a bellyboat for a few minutes, only) for Stripers or anything else.

Hopefully, Steve from the Beaver Dam Store or the guys from McLellans will offer their advice.

My only suggestion would be to research the specs on Rio's Deep Sea fly lines. They are available from 200 to 800 grain densities (in 100 gr increments). I found an interesting story about saltwater flyfishing with these lines trolled down to 25-30 feet by doing a Google search for "trolling with fly lines".

You will need some very large flies that will track well without twisting your line.

Sounds like you're getting very serious about Big Stripers.

Good Luck!

[Guest flyfishBDS]

Hey jay bird

Off the top of my head Im going to say you won't be getting that deep at 2mph with any fly line trolling, pulling the fly means its going to ride higher int he water column. However Im going to make some inquiries with a few colleagues and some more technical experts than myself. I've got a friend in NZ who has been working out ways to target reef fish in deep offshore currents _ here the issue is getting dead drift casting ahead of the boat as you drift down to it you get max depth, heavy fly heavy leader.

But let me pose a question _ do you really want to be trolling that depth or are you looking to work you fly at that depth when casting. What weight rod do you have and what sort of boat.

If you really want to troll with your flyrod and have a boat with the capability _ as opposed to a tube, then I'd suggest a downrigger system. Ok stop laughing lol Ive done it in southeast alaska for king salmon

My guide blew my mind when he set up an 10wt RPLXi to a downrigger, trolling at 4knots with the ball some 70' down _ there were 3 compund curves in the rod and none along the spine. It was a similar concept to stripers we trolled looking for concentrations hoping the kings would come to the surface. Yeh I got a wild king, but to be honest it was about as much fun cranking it in as pulling teeth. Ive done way too much trolling for tuna _ i'd rather be casting.

Casting wise its going to be more about technique, locating bait/stripers (fishfinder!!!!) then casting, and waiting for line/fly to get to depth. If you email me at the store with your rod specs etc I'll try to come up with a line set up for you.

I've got a bunch of heavy sinking head/running line I should be able to set something up for you pretty right I won't be back in until friday. Or we can check out some full sink lines etc if you'd prefer

Cheers

Steve

[Bill Butts]

Jay,

Steve's input is good.

If it hadn't been for the article I referenced and mentioned how to find, I would have thought no line would do what you're planning.

However, you might also look at the Cortland website and maybe even call them to inquire about their lead-core trolling line.

Years ago (late 70's) in northern CA, we made shooting heads for Striper fishing out of that horrible stuff before the advent of the super sinking lines we know today. Perhaps you could find someone at their corporate office, or a referral from them, that has experience doing what you want to do.

Netwok, network, network.....and I bet you'll find someone.

Good luck.

BB

[jay bird]

Thanks guys for the input. Bill I was not able to find that article you where talking about, but I will try again. I have a 2004 Lowe deck boat with a 70 # thrust trolling motor. I am only going to troll in the late morning to extend the bite a little. I grew up using downriggers out on the Pacific Ocean, and have thought about putting one or two on my boat, but I have mixed feelings about this with a fly rod. Steve I just have a cheap 9 ft 8 weight right now (bass pro cv2), but I am planning to start building rods and would like to end up with a loomis before the season hits. Some time this winter I will head your way and talk sinking line with you.

Thanks jason

[Bill Butts]

Thanks guys for the input. Bill I was not able to find that article you where talking about, but I will try again. I have a 2004 Lowe deck boat with a 70 # thrust trolling motor. I am only going to troll in the late morning to extend the bite a little. I grew up using downriggers out on the Pacific Ocean, and have thought about putting one or two on my boat, but I have mixed feelings about this with a fly rod. Steve I just have a cheap 9 ft 8 weight right now (bass pro cv2), but I am planning to start building rods and would like to end up with a loomis before the season hits. Some time this winter I will head your way and talk sinking line with you.

Thanks jason

Jason,

Here's the link for the article on Rio lines.......

Sorry, I'm usually more helpful than just telling someone to go Google.

http://www.flyfishusa.com/lines/rio-deepsea.htm

Some of those 8 wt Bass Pro rods are actually pretty good, especially for the $$.

I'd like to talk with you further about selecting your next one, and I have no business interest in the decision so I am not biased to brands except for opinion based on experience.

I'd also visit with Steve at the BDS and the guys at McLellans in Fayetteville, if you want further input.

The other thing to think about is that if you really do some serious deep trolling you will need at least a very stiff 9 wt. A rod purely for trolling and fighting big fish.

Lots of factors to consider.

[Guest flyfishBDS]

Ok from Simon G at RIO

"The lines are categorized in sink rates of inches per second. A type 2, sinks at 2" per second, a type 8 sinks at 8" per second. From there you could work out how long it will take to sink a certain depth - in calm water. Currents make the calculation more difficult and trolling is just a current (to the fly line's behavior, anyway).

We have line as fast as 12" per second. These are called tungsten dredgers and are really only for trolling as the lightest line is a 550 grain (a #15 line - whereas the 1150 grain would be something like a #27 weight line). You cannot cast these, they are just for getting down. On a more fishable front, T-14 is the best we have -this sinks at 9.25 inches per second and is good for fishing that 20 - 40 ft depth (in stillwater). It is a level shooting head material that you cut to weight to load the rod correctly. Other than that, I would have to say the OutBound - type 8 would get pretty deep - between 15ft and 25 ft.

No real answers here, mate as I can't compute the speed of troll into the equation."

At least you have a starting point - inches per second...

I have some Cortland Kerboom still in stock too

Cheers

Steve