[salmo]

I got my hands on Rio T-8 sinking material. I should say T-9, because the real density is 9.2 grain/foot.
The Rio label says 30’/240 gr and in metric system 9.1m/17.9 g.
I have actually weighted 30’( 9.1m) coil and it weights 17.8 g ( 275 gr ) which is in line with metric value they put on the label.

The sinking coating material is Extremely Durable.!!! I had a hard time to remove is with dull part of the knife blade.
The core is made of a hard monofilament ( 20lb test).
When I slip 4” piece of the T-9 into braided loop or spey line core applied a generous amount for polyurethane glue and let it dry, the connection has survived 6 hours with static weight of ca. 17lb without any damage.

For those who are price conscious, 30’ coil costs about half of what Airflo charges for 20’ of T-10.

 

[juro]

How is the diameter? Sounds like good stuff.

 

[salmo]

I have not measured yet, but it is only slightly smaller then Airflo T-10.

 

[Its Not Luck]

By using a 30 ft. RIO Max shooting head type 6 or type 8 you can cut what ever custom tip you want in any grain weight imaginable. For example I have a 30 ft.#6 wt. type 6 head at 200 gr. that I'm going to slice up netting me 6,7 gr/ft. When it comes to type 6 and type 8 heads I'm yet to find a measurable taper on the line, there just level heads. I paid $35 CDN. for mine..

All the data for RIO max heads are on ther website

 

[salmo]

What kind of core has Rio Max SH?

Solid mono core is stiffer then soft core in typical fly line, and turns over fly much better.

 

[juro]

Good point on the shooting heads - I've been using cut shooting heads in varying line weights and densities cut into two ever since Dennis Worley and Mike Kinney got me started on the technique like 15 yrs ago and would never want to be without these tips, but more recently the uniform "spool" sinking material is finding its way into my tip wallet because it's very predictable (grain over length), turn over well, are economical and gets down to business when you need it.

The shooting heads I use have a braided core and are a pleasure to cast once you dial into the right matchups. The flexibility in using a lighter or heavier line weight as well as a lighter density is especially nice for summer fishing in low water when you can fish a 'finesse' sinktip in low water as needed.

But when it comes to flipping over an intruder the T-x lines are the way to go.

 

[Undertaker]

By using a 30 ft. RIO Max shooting head type 6 or type 8 you can cut what ever custom tip you want in any grain weight imaginable. For example I have a 30 ft.#6 wt. type 6 head at 200 gr. that I'm going to slice up netting me 6,7 gr/ft. When it comes to type 6 and type 8 heads I'm yet to find a measurable taper on the line, there just level heads. I paid $35 CDN. for mine..

All the data for RIO max heads are on ther website

Thanks for that tip. I've been trying to find a material to use with my Loop Adapted heads in faster sink rates without the weight of T14 and the like. IMO it defeats the prupose of using the underhand style if you're chucking heavy tips (you end up working too hard). I'm going to pick up a couple of these heads.

I'm curious to know what the core is also. Rio rates the breaking strain at 40 lbs for even the smallest heads, so I'll guess it isn't mono?

Can you PM with info on where you purchased your shooting heads? Thanks.

 

[SSPey]

for what it is worth, I purchased 100' of T-8 and weighed it on a certified laboratory balance. It came to 7.9 gr/ft

if anyone happens to come across a bulk spool of 9 gr/ft at a flyshop, I'd appreciate a PM of the whereabouts to purchase a length.

it would be nice if RIO also sold T-10 and T-12, or at least T-11 to split the difference between 8 and 14. Tips of 8 gr/ft often can't handle really big flies, yet T-14 is too heavy for many lines. The Custom Cut 10 gr/ft is too pricey, and of limited length, to allow inexpensive experimentation

 

[jpeter]

15 foot tips

unless you need more than 15' long, cutting up type 8 15' tips is another option.

12wt = 190gr = 12.6 gr/ft
10wt = 150gr = 10 gr/ft

 

[pec54]

?

Why not use lead core trolling line it comes in 100 yd rolls,for about $14.00,or is this for lead banned areas?