Corpusfishing.com

[kweber]

read somewhere (cant remember where) about using a 30ft shooting head tied directly to 65lb braid backing....
any thoughts?
although I've had a flyrod for over 10 yrs, I've never took it out at the salt (plan to take it to the surf next time there, wind permitting).
suposed to increase distance.
any thoughts?
I'm a novice, as I rarely get it out.
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[ender]

I've never tried the shooting head setup. I would think it would be a problem unless you have a really good stripping basket. You're going to have coils of braid all over the place not fun with a rowdy surf. Also lets say you can cast more than 30 ft you will have braid in hands while false casting, right before you shoot it. I know thats not going feel good if you don't have gloves. I've found out that a full sinking line works really well "in the surf" Bass Pro Shops had some here in San Antonio for $40. The thinner line makes it easier to cast against the wind. If you do try it, let us know how it worked.

[TexasFlyGuy]

I have a good fishing buddy who rigs this way for saltwater...and for freshwater Stripers. He doesn't wear gloves, but I wouldn't try that if I were you. His shooting head setup isn't 30', either. It's probably about 15' of Type VII sinking head (lead core) he fishes with a 10wt super-fast action rod.

You don't false cast shooting heads. It's one back cast and let it fly. There isn't much need for hauling, but most of us do a little.

The advice above regarding a stripping basket is ESSENTIAL. You must have a place to coil and lay the slack braided line, and you must learn to do it properly before each cast. Otherwise, you've got a constant knot-nightmare. You'll be spending more time cutting and re-tying than you will anything else. There's also no reason to use 65 lb braid, in particular. He uses a much heavier braid than that. He's been fishing this way for decades and picked up the technique on the California coast.

I use custom shooting heads built from Wulff heads and Tracer running line. I can cast just as far and as fast as my buddy can with his rig even with one of my "off the rack" integrated shooting head lines (Wulff Bermuda Shorts, Ambush, or Airflo Sniper and 40+). It's a lot safer and easier to control using a coated fly line. But on the beach, you're still going to need a stripping basket.
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[RPool]

All of the above recommendations are excellent for the surf and/or deeper water. If you are just getting started, this isn't for the flats. Go with WF floating lines there.