[watersprite]

Well it's that time of year again when sink tips are the rule and I could use some suggestions on where to cut my 8/9 XLT. Seeming to think this info matters - I will be using this line on a fairly fast/stiff(?) Orvis 9 wt. spey rod with types 4 & 6 sink tips. The rod in question handles the XLT, uncut, very well. Likewise the 8/9/10 WC (but that's on what my kid believes is his 9140). Any suggestions (and please keep it rudimentary, if possible)?

Thanks,

ws

 

[Rick J]

Not sure about the 8/9. I have the 7/8 and the 9/10. Way Yin suggested cutting the 7/8 at 22' and the 9/10 at 27'.

 

[watersprite]

Hmmm... it appears I'm the only one using the 8/9 XLT line. Scientific Anglers is sure taking it in the shorts, here, what with building it and they didn't come. Unless, of course, no one wants to chop theirs up...

Hmmm.

ws

 

[fredaevans]

Don't worry, there's safety in numbers.

LOTS of us use the XLT lines, but I'm not aware of anyone using them with sink tips. I do use the sinking leaders with the 8/9, and up lines. Works very well. Would be concerned (and given the cost of the lines) at wacking them up for sink tips.

With the looooong front taper just seems like the wrong line to be doing this with.

fae

 

[Neil]

Chopping XLT lines.

When your talking about shortening the XLT to accomodate sink tips,what length of sink tips are you using.
I presently have a 7/8 XLT with 9 foot cut off the front taper. This accommodates my 10' poly leaders in fast and super fast sink.
Any suggestions on how much to cut the line back to accommodate 15' fast and extra fast sink tips that come with the Airflow Delta Multi tip line.
Any help would be appreciated.:smokin:

 

[Neil]

Chopping XLT lines.

When your talking about shortening the XLT to accomodate sink tips,what length of sink tips are you using.
I presently have a 7/8 XLT with 9 foot cut off the front taper. This accommodates my 10' poly leaders in fast and super fast sink.
Any suggestions on how much to cut the line back to accommodate 15' fast and extra fast sink tips that come with the Airflow Delta Multi tip line.
Any help would be appreciated.:smokin:

 

[JDJones]

8/9XLT

I am using the 8/9 XLT on my Sage 9150. Haven't cut it yet but Way Yin advised to cut it at 25 feet. This is for using 15 foot sink tips.

><///'>
JD

 

[fredaevans]

JIMMIE! YOUR BACk!!! And bloody well about time.

Thought you'd dropped off the Planet.

Ya, Way said.... but that beautiful line ..... cut and snip .... ARGGGG. I'm not strong enough to put a snipper to this wonderful bit of design work.
:eyecrazy:

 

[tackleman]

Neil - the tips on Airflo Multi-tip lines are all 12' in length. The new salmon/steelhead Polyleaders are 14' in length.

 

[flytyer]

Fred,

As I told my wife 2 months after we had gotten married and she saw me cutting a brand new line she had just bought me, "If I didn't cut the line, then I wouldn't be able to have it work the way I wanted to."

You cut the XLT the same way you cut any other line, figure out where the front taper ends, and then cut it and install your loops. Then either coat the loopes with aquaseal, pliobond, or flex-a-gap to stiffen them. I've recently done this with my 10/11 GrandSpey and have not regretted cutting it to use sink tips on it for winter fishing.

Watersprite,

It appears that the front taper on the 8/9 XLT ends 25 ft from the tip. That or maybe another 6 inches to a foot more is where I would cut it.

 

[fredaevans]

The 25' up from the tip matchs up with Jim Jones comment..

from Way Yin above. So sounding like this number would be a go ... even if I couldn't go there.:eyecrazy:
fae

 

[JDJones]

Cut & loop

I too would have reservations about cutting such a nice line as the XLT had Leroy Tipple not shown me his method of making loops.

Strip the coating off about 3 inches of line and using a root canal file (which you can get from your dentist) open up the core starting at the end of the coating. Work the file up into the core about .5 to .75 inch and out the side. You will need two loops made from .010 wire. Extra light gage guitar high "E" string works. Withdraw the root canal file from the core and push one of the loops (bent end first) into the line and out the side. Hook the other looped wire onto the first one ansd pull it back through the line, leaving enough of it hanging out the side of the line so that you can grab both ends with pliers. Fray the end of the core and trim it so that it is not too bulky. Insert into the loop and pull it back through itself and out the side. Work some fleximent up into the core by coating the loop as you are pulling it back inside itself. Trim and coat the whole thing with fleximent.

><///"> JD

 

[watersprite]

ALRIGHT! I knew youse guys would come through.

Seeing as how no one has spoken up about doing it to their line, I think I will be giving the sinking leaders a thorough go, first.

Thanks.

ws

 

[Neil]

Cutting back XLTs

Gentlemen,thankyou for the input.Next week I will try mine.
7/8XLT,cut back 24' for Airflow multi tip sections.Wish me luck.
Will post my finding's.:smokin:
Spey laddie.

 

[Rick J]

Neil,
Way indicated cutting the 7/8 at 22' - cutting it up higher likely won't hurt but you might want to mic it first

 

[Neil]

cutting XLT

Thanks Rick.will try 22' first to see how that works.
Neil.
Spey Laddie.:smokin:

 

[Guest]

Well did anyone cut their's up?

I've tried the Airflo PolyLeaders and can't say as I like the way the whole shabang casts, but then I can barely cast the full head on a good day. My thoughts are that the WindCutter with tips casts better than the XLT (uncut) with the PolyLeaders.

Any comments to add, etc.?

mmm

P.S. Those Airflo leaders sure DO get down, though.

 

[Willie Gunn]

Yes,
I cut my 9/10 at 27ft as recomended by Way himself. It seems to throw the tips fine.

Malcolm

 

[t_richerzhagen]

Line Core for Loops?!!!

JD,

I wouldn't trust the line core for permanent loops. The core is going to wear and you are going to lose a tip and perhaps a fish.

 

[spey_bubba]

hi guys

i fish my xlt's with tips all the time; as a matter of fact, the line concept was originally designed to assist wth line control while fishing tips (not as a dry line!).

i would recommend the following cut points; these will not work for everyone, but they suit my style of fishing and casting.

6/7: 20-21 feet: up to 150 grains/15 ft
7/8: 22 feet: up to 165 grains/15 feet
8/9: 25 feet: up to 200 grains/15 feet
9/10: 27 feet: up to 260 grains/15 feet
10/11: 28 feet: up to 285 grains/15 feet

these are the heaviest tips i have tested for these different line weights. the 8/9 through 10/11 i have tested with LC 13 (lead core, 13 grains per foot). with the heavist tips, some hinging will naturally occur, but it will still lay out. not all tips are created equal, some have better energy transfer than others.

the XLT lines were not designed for "add-on" weight, like sinking poly leaders (some of which add an additional 140 plus grains).

to address a previous post, if you were to cut back where the front taper ends on an 8/9, it would be around 90 feet; these are continuous taper lines, influenced by alexander grant's work, and not simple front taper connected to long section of fat belly! there are some steps of level line, depending on the line weight, the tapers may have up to 10 different

hope this helps.

way