The intermediate sink tip

With the exception of low light conditions, it’s typical to rig a conventional spinning rod with a weighted jig head. Whether soft plastic or feathered, they’re very popular as well as practical because for the most part fish feed beneath more than on the surface.  For this reason, it’s a good idea to carry this technique over to our fly rigs.  While learning and developing casting skills, the floating line is a great place to start. However, eventually we need to consider getting our fly down in the water column to help fish see the fly. Moreover, it doesn’t have to be a complicated decision; simply look at sink rates. In the relatively shallow estuary that is Charlotte Harbor, I like lines that are designated as WF/I. This is simply a floating weight forward line with about a six -foot clear intermediate sink tip. Typically, the sink rate is 1 to 2.5 inches per second.  I do have a heavier line I like that sinks 2.5 to 4.25 inches per second. Originally, It had a 16-foot tip that I cut down to seven feet to make it more manageable.  I still stick with a nine-foot leader.  Moreover, since sink tip lines are heavier than floating lines, they can help add distance to your cast even though you have to strip more in to begin your back cast.