Running line for shooting head

[wilbert]

Can anyone recommend a good running line to use for a shooting head set up. The running line must be strong (50lb) as I will be using a 30 to 35lb leader, it must be fairly easy to handle as I have never used shooting heads before and it must be good in cold weather as it has the potential to be bloody cold where I am going.

I have been told that the Ken Sawada flat beam stuff is good but cant find anywhere that sells the stuff.

I will be wanting to get deep down so will it be worth sacrificing what little line control you have with a shooting head and go for an intermediate running line or sacrifice some depth and stick to floating one??

[williegunn]

Ah the Holy Grail............a perfect runnimg line.

[acw]

wilbert said:

Can anyone recommend a good running line to use for a shooting head set up. The running line must be strong (50lb) as I will be using a 30 to 35lb leader, it must be fairly easy to handle as I have never used shooting heads before and it must be good in cold weather as it has the potential to be bloody cold where I am going.

I have been told that the Ken Sawada flat beam stuff is good but cant find anywhere that sells the stuff.

I will be wanting to get deep down so will it be worth sacrificing what little line control you have with a shooting head and go for an intermediate running line or sacrifice some depth and stick to floating one??

Wilbert ,from my deep down and dirty lead core head days on Datchet resivour I would say go for braid ,similar to that used for braided loops ,much easier to handle with wet cold fingers than the single filaments.Not done that for 20 + years so out of touch with whats on the market ,would suggest a chat with Steve Parton of Sparton Tackle ,he does all kinds of beastly tackle for ressers and salt water ,tell him what you need it for and he should have some good advice !

[jimthefish]

Guideline GL Shooter comes in 50lb b/s and I have heard good reports about it. I prefer the Guideline LRL shooting line but I don't think they make it heavier than 15.5kg b/s. It is nicer to handle than flat mono.

[madkeen]

I use lureflash phantom in 45lb B.S and it is excellent for shooting and at a fiver for 75 yds is excellent value.

[wilbert]

Cheers for the advice, I will have a look at the guideline GL shooter and Lureflash phantom.

I dont fancy using braid as I will targeting large spring salmon on the Kola peninsula and I have enough scars and damage to my hands without cutting my fingers to the bone when clamping braid to set the hook. Saying that I use gelspun backing which is even worse but by the time im onto the backing my fingers should be out of the danger zone otherwise they will be sinking to the bottom of the river.

[splicedsharpe]

Hi
Here is another one for you, Sufix shooting line (US made). I like it a lot, 50lb and 35 lb. And it's pretty cheap around 7£/30m (in Sweden). I've mainly used the 35 lb line, under cold conditions and it looses the little memory there is after a short while.

regards

Janne

[petersc]

I use the Guideline GL and LRL ridge line. The LRL may not have the breaking strain you need, but the ridges really work. One nice thing about it for cold weather use, the ridges seem to shed water well so the hands don't get wet. It's certainly easier to grip with cold fingers.

Also have the Ken Sawada 35# line and it's very good as well, not much difference in shooting between it and the Guideline. Both monos have to be stretched before use -- especially when it's cold.

[easky]

Raph (salmonfly) can get you the Ken Sawada line, drop him a PM for more info

E

[rennie]

Try Amnesia,comes in different breaking strains 20lb to 50lb and colours if thats important to you,robust,limp and being round it shoots very well unlike any of the flat monos which have a habit of being held in the water and not shooting especially in slacker water.Also its cheap as chips,try sea fishing shops or Sea Angler mag.Used it for years and suits me damn fine. Pedro.

[Fruin]

I thought about Amnesia but thought that it may stick in the water a bit, because it would sink. I have tried two types of flat mono running lines.
The first was the Rio Slickshooter but, as you say, this sinks and tends to stick in the water when trying to shoot, especially in slacker flows.
The second, which I currently use, is the Guideline GL Shooter. It is overpriced, but stays higher in the water, so does not stick to the water when trying to shoot.
While I feel that I gained better distance with the Rio line, it's line handling problems made it too frustrating to use on a regular basis. It also seemed to kink easier than the Guideline stuff.
As I said, I like the GL Shooter, but think it is overpriced for what it is, so I may try Amnesia next.
The other option that seems to have support from many anglers is a braided mono with solid mono inserted through it's length. I think that Masterline manufacture a version called Miracle Braid(). Alternatively, you could make your own from barid and strong solid mono, but it would be a time consuming process.

[wilbert]

Cheers for all the advice. I have now purchased some running line and although there were plenty of good options mentioned in the thread I have gone for something completely different. I have gone for a Monic running line which is built on a 70lb gelspun core, so there is no stretch in it. It comes in 2 diameters 0.024" and 0.030" and is reported to be very good in cold conditions which will be ideal for its main use.

[robson]

I use many different brands of mono lines during the summer here in the Scandinavia. Mostly Amnesia and Sawada Flat Beam super. But I think the coated running lines are best choice for cold weather.
Wilbert, where did you find that Monic line?

[wilbert]

Robson I got the Monic running line from the US, it ain't cheep at approx £28 delivered.

www.redshedflyshop.com/runninglines.html

I was following a thread on speypages and the above shop stocks it and was willing to post to the UK. I would imagine that if you contact them then they would also post to you.

[robson]

Thanks.

[rennie]

Small tip here for shooting backing give it a real good dowsing in Mr.Sheen then let it dry.Stops it sinking and if you are fishing a floater you can mend it,its like fishing a huge float once you get the hang of it and you can hold it off the water when fishing a sinker to slow it right down.Pedro.

[wilbert]

Thanks for the tip although it will raise some suspicions with the other half if she finds me with a can of Mr Sheen in my hand as it will be a first for me.

[salmonfly]

On a serious note, I now have some guideLine running Line for sale. If you are interested please send me a PM. I will post in the for sale section soon.
Raph