Shooting Head Advice?

[flifyshr]

I've got a 9 wt. fast action rod.
I want to get floating, intermediate, and full sinking
shooting heads that I can loop onto the same running line.
I'd want a 9 wt. floating head, but do I get a 9 wt.
sinking head, or an 8?
Any and all advice welcome.
Thanks.

[BillySalmonhole]

I FISH A 300 GRAIN SINKING HEAD ON MY 8 WT. AND A 400 GRAIN SINKING HEAD ON MY 10 WT. A SINKING HEAD BETWEEN 300-350 GRAINS (DEPENDING ON THE PARTICULAR ROD AND YOUR CASTING STYLE) SHOULD BE ADEQUATE. AS FAR AS FLOATING AND INTERMEADIATE HEADS ARE CONCERNED, SOME PEOPLE ADVOCATE SHOOTING HEADS TWO LINE SIZES HEAVIER FOR 30' HEADS AND ONE LINE SIZE HEAVIER FOR 38' HEADS. I DON'T PARTICULARLY CARE FOR THE LONGER HEADS, AND HAVE FOUND ONE OR TWO LINE SIZES TO DEPEND ON HOW STIFF THE ROD IS. HOPE THE HELPS....
TIGHT LINES,
BILLY

[sjkflyroder]

Most sinking lines go by grains. But you could buy AIRFLO sinking line they go by rod wt and sink ratios are from 2-4IPS all the way to 8IPS. I would buy the 9wt for a 9wt rod. But instead of using regular running line you might want to try Gudenbrod Braided Butt Leader as your running line. Its lighter and won't coil up in cold water. But the best thing about it is the incredible distances you will get on your cast. On the inter/sinking and floating line I would also buy the same wt if you use the setup I mentioned. Otherwise if you use regular running line move up to 10wt on all lines.

[mikef]

flifyshr:
If you have a fast action 9 wt like a Sage RPLX, StCroix Legend, most T&T, most GLoomis rods - then you probably want to use the following. If the heads are 30' then you would use 11wt heads (floating, sinking and Int) - if the heads are around 38' then you would use 10 wt heads.
I agree with the post concerning length of heads. I also greatly prefer 30' over the longer ones.
I use a 9 wt St Croix Legend. I primarily use 2 heads - an Intermediate and a #3 density fast sink. Both are SA heads.
I also like Gudebrod braided mono shooting line.
Just my thoughts, other may vary.

[RayG]

Unlike Mike and Billy, I am partial to the 38' (usually Orvis) shooting heads. I like the length and find that over the course of the season, I lose some of the length from retying leaders (I usually nail knot my leader directly to the SH and opt for a length of 3'-6' of flouro depending on which SH I use - and I change leaders often.);

I am a big fan of the clear mono lines along with the Depth Charge lines. I have also used the Sci Angler SH which are all the same weight in grains, but are tapered with a Type 1-6 designation. The Type 6 will sink faster than the Type 1. These have worked well for me in the 11 weight lines on my 10 RPLX. I favor the Orvis SH's one line size up for both my 8 and 9 weight rods. Again, this is what works for me and I try to keep things as simple (i.e. my leaders) as possible.

As for running lines, I really like the Elite lines, but bought a new Air Flo at the Marlboro show. I haven't tried it yet, so I have no opinion.

Ray G

[flifyshr]

Thanks to those who responded with advice.
It's all very helpful.
Tight Lines.