Here's a commentary on how I prefer to fish these rods. I tend to try different things with different tackle combinations. One day I could be fishing a run with the 12 footer and a Skagit rig, while the next will see me on the same run with a 15 footer and an intermediate. Realistically I could fish the same rod, line system, flies all season and catch more fish, but it wouldn't be half the challenge nor half the fun.
In the process of this mixing and matching, I am trying DTX gear with a wider range of tackle, fishing situations and casting methods than most would normally see.
So keep checking back from time to time as I will be adding and modifying the contents here as the seasons progress.
In the process of this mixing and matching, I am trying DTX gear with a wider range of tackle, fishing situations and casting methods than most would normally see.
So keep checking back from time to time as I will be adding and modifying the contents here as the seasons progress.
Most of my fishing with the 12' shooting head rod has been done with one of two rigs: a shooting head setup of 27g composed of a mix of floaters, sinktips, and full sinkers, plus a compact Skagit setup of 510 grains with a set of 10' T8 sinktips.
I mainly use the 27g heads in smaller rivers such as the Credit River in Ontario or the Cattaraugus in NY. This combination lets me fish with finesse up to 80' or a bit more, which is more than adequate to cover these waterways. When fishing in tighter circumstances where I may be casting close to fish, I don't want heavy heads crashing into the water. These lighter heads let me make finesse casts, yet still fish deep.
My home waters, the Grand River, is both wide and shallow, where the distance capabilities of the Skagit are put to use, producing casts in excess of 100'. That sort of distance isn't normally associated with 12' rods, but the combination of this little DTX and a 510 head will consistently deliver them.
While I haven't had them out fishing yet, I also intend to hit the Grand this fall with the 30g and 32g floater shooting heads + polyleaders. They're capable of even greater distance than the Skagit setup and will be the ticket when the T8 tips aren't needed.
At Cape Cod I used the 440 grain 9/10 Airflo Two-hand Beach Line in either intermediate or Type 9. Using this combo, I managed the longest range hookup of any of my striped bass when I connect with a cruiser way out in the surf. This combination made for easy long range overhead casting all day.
When finesse dry fly work is needed, I'll turn to a Delta 7/8.
While the rod will fish other lines pleasantly and efficiently, the 27g heads and the 510 Skagit provides all of the capacity I need. The discovery that the 13' - 8 wt. handles my old 34g heads very nicely also has reduced the need for me to chuck heavier heads on this rod.
I mainly use the 27g heads in smaller rivers such as the Credit River in Ontario or the Cattaraugus in NY. This combination lets me fish with finesse up to 80' or a bit more, which is more than adequate to cover these waterways. When fishing in tighter circumstances where I may be casting close to fish, I don't want heavy heads crashing into the water. These lighter heads let me make finesse casts, yet still fish deep.
My home waters, the Grand River, is both wide and shallow, where the distance capabilities of the Skagit are put to use, producing casts in excess of 100'. That sort of distance isn't normally associated with 12' rods, but the combination of this little DTX and a 510 head will consistently deliver them.
While I haven't had them out fishing yet, I also intend to hit the Grand this fall with the 30g and 32g floater shooting heads + polyleaders. They're capable of even greater distance than the Skagit setup and will be the ticket when the T8 tips aren't needed.
At Cape Cod I used the 440 grain 9/10 Airflo Two-hand Beach Line in either intermediate or Type 9. Using this combo, I managed the longest range hookup of any of my striped bass when I connect with a cruiser way out in the surf. This combination made for easy long range overhead casting all day.
When finesse dry fly work is needed, I'll turn to a Delta 7/8.
While the rod will fish other lines pleasantly and efficiently, the 27g heads and the 510 Skagit provides all of the capacity I need. The discovery that the 13' - 8 wt. handles my old 34g heads very nicely also has reduced the need for me to chuck heavier heads on this rod.
Originally I did my first DTX rod fishing with Ian Gordon Partridge 8/9 short head lines in floater and intermediate on this rod. First fish on a DTX was also with this combination. It worked fine provided I stayed with thin leaders and kept the fly size and drag down. The distance cast was more than adequate and I pulled in plenty of fish with it. I just had to watch out for headwinds.
I moved on to the 510 Skagit (the same as on the 12' shooting head rod), but I didn't feel that this head had the weight to get in to the meat of the blank. As an indicator, the 12 footer will chuck this head as far, if not farther than the 13 footer, proving the need for more weight. I'll be looking for a heavier compact head this fall. The "Skagit on a DTX" video was shot using this combination. In subsequent fishing trips, my SA Skagit head, 550 over 31.5' + 10' T-14 tips, has the makings of being my go-to Skagit setup on this rod and will probably supplant the 510.
I then turned to the DTX 8/9 - 51' line + the same set of T8 tips. We'd normally assume that 10' of T8 would need a Skagit head, but the DTX line cast and turned them over like they weren't even there. Proved out to be an excellent fishing combination. This line is similar to the Airflo 8/9 Quickspey.
This coming fall, I'll be using the 32g DTX shooting head + polyleaders when conditions permit. I'll also be making more use of Airflo Deltas as well.
Recently I've been using 34g Power Taper DDCs when the water is high, the fly large, and the wind is blowing. This is an excellent adverse conditions type setup and the rod has no difficulty with the extra weight. I'm gradually gravitating toward making the 13 footer my 'big' shooting head rod, using heads in the 32g to 34g range. It really does make using full sinkers a piece of cake.
I moved on to the 510 Skagit (the same as on the 12' shooting head rod), but I didn't feel that this head had the weight to get in to the meat of the blank. As an indicator, the 12 footer will chuck this head as far, if not farther than the 13 footer, proving the need for more weight. I'll be looking for a heavier compact head this fall. The "Skagit on a DTX" video was shot using this combination. In subsequent fishing trips, my SA Skagit head, 550 over 31.5' + 10' T-14 tips, has the makings of being my go-to Skagit setup on this rod and will probably supplant the 510.
I then turned to the DTX 8/9 - 51' line + the same set of T8 tips. We'd normally assume that 10' of T8 would need a Skagit head, but the DTX line cast and turned them over like they weren't even there. Proved out to be an excellent fishing combination. This line is similar to the Airflo 8/9 Quickspey.
This coming fall, I'll be using the 32g DTX shooting head + polyleaders when conditions permit. I'll also be making more use of Airflo Deltas as well.
Recently I've been using 34g Power Taper DDCs when the water is high, the fly large, and the wind is blowing. This is an excellent adverse conditions type setup and the rod has no difficulty with the extra weight. I'm gradually gravitating toward making the 13 footer my 'big' shooting head rod, using heads in the 32g to 34g range. It really does make using full sinkers a piece of cake.
The 14 footer started off with two Ian Gordon lines in the 75' medium head versions: a floater and the intermediate. The floater was fine, however handling 75' of intermediate line on a 14' rod proved to be work. Once it was rolled up, the rod easily sent it on its way, but getting it ready to cast could be a handful. Too bad I haven't been able to find a 65' version of this line. These lines were ostensibly rated at 9/10 but really are 8/9s when the weight and length are taken into account. One of the quirks of these lines had the 65' and 75' of the same rating, having the same weight. The 75' version should be a fair bit heavier to be considered a 9/10.
My old Guideline Bill Drury Impact 62' - 8/9 works quite nicely on this rod as well and will probably become my main tips line. The line fits the rod quite well and this combination produces easy range. Either an Airflo Delta 8/9 or 9/10 would do the job as well. The DTX 51' - 8/9 works on this rod as well as the on the 13 footer. Those liking a heavier load could use the DTX 58' - 9/10 instead.
Looking forward this fall to using the 38g DTX shooting head and polyleaders as this is an amazing casting combination. For those liking lighter feel, 34g heads go fine on it. Even the 32g with a polyleader goes well with a light, crisp stroke.
I'll also be fishing an Ian Gordon 65' floater 9/10 in the low conditions we have these days.
One interesting recent discovery was this rod's abilities to chuck the 10/11 58 footer without feeling too heavily loaded. In fact the load may fit well for many people transitioning from rods that normally feel this way. It's certainly a fishable combination, especially on windy or big fly days.
My old Guideline Bill Drury Impact 62' - 8/9 works quite nicely on this rod as well and will probably become my main tips line. The line fits the rod quite well and this combination produces easy range. Either an Airflo Delta 8/9 or 9/10 would do the job as well. The DTX 51' - 8/9 works on this rod as well as the on the 13 footer. Those liking a heavier load could use the DTX 58' - 9/10 instead.
Looking forward this fall to using the 38g DTX shooting head and polyleaders as this is an amazing casting combination. For those liking lighter feel, 34g heads go fine on it. Even the 32g with a polyleader goes well with a light, crisp stroke.
I'll also be fishing an Ian Gordon 65' floater 9/10 in the low conditions we have these days.
One interesting recent discovery was this rod's abilities to chuck the 10/11 58 footer without feeling too heavily loaded. In fact the load may fit well for many people transitioning from rods that normally feel this way. It's certainly a fishable combination, especially on windy or big fly days.
Most of the fishing I've done with the 15 footer, used the DTX 58' - 10/11 line and I'll probably continue with it. I find that it's a very pleasant match and the rod is capable of sending it a long way without a lot of work. Adding polyleaders to this line is a non event. I've also fished it with the 10/11 - 68' version, but though it casts fine, I prefer the lighter feel of the 58' line.
I've also acquired an Ian Gordon 65' - 11/12 intermediate line that I plan to use when things get cold. To handle the weight and the lift, I'll pull the back end of the belly into the guides. Trials so far indicate that this will be a nice fishing combo. The rod will easily cast this line with all of the belly out of the guides, but it isn't to my tastes when cast this way. One big advantage: the rod casts this line with authority even when the back end of the belly is in the guides. Makes life easier on the lift.
For tips work, I'll be using a Delta 10/11 with a set of Guideline 8/9 tips (same weight as Delta 10/11 tips). I've also fished this rod with the Delta 9/10 and I actually prefer it for the easy distance it can achieve. A 10/11 DTX 58' multi-tip will do the same job.
Some more recent news: I have to admit to being biased toward sub 14’ rods for shooting heads, so my experience in fishing the 42g head on this rod, not surprisingly, did not live up to my expectations. Afterward I consigned this rod back to the world of longer lines. However, there was a sneaking suspicion lurking in the back of the brain that perhaps it was more my short rod Underhand casting style that was the issue. I’m sure there will be plenty out there who will love the 42g head on this rod. So I went back out only this time with the 38g head and a polyleader. Much, much better fit for me and I’m happy enough with this combination to take the rod out of the ‘long line bin’ and include it in the shooting head stable. All it took was a lighter head that enabled the rod tip to keep up with my short rod biased Underhand stroke. The moral of this story: if you have an efficient Underhand delivery and you’re not happy with a shooting head on this rod, go lighter.
My first marriage of the 68’ 10/11 DTX line with this rod was less than happy. Yes, it went fine as far as distance and loop shape was concerned, but I was working more than I would like. I had liked this line on another 10/11 that I used to own, but I couldn’t get it to work to my satisfaction on this rod. Obviously Scott would not have let it out of the stable if it hadn’t, so the problem had to be me. Spending some quality time with it did the trick for all it needed was for me to ease up a little. With the one exception of a very old Daiwa 16 footer, all of the rods I’ve owned in this class needed some oomph to get distance out of them when they were strung up with longer lines. I had assumed the same with the DTX 15 footer and there was my mistake. All it needs is a very relaxed casting stroke and the rod does the rest. Like the old cliché says, “Let the rod do the work.”
I've also acquired an Ian Gordon 65' - 11/12 intermediate line that I plan to use when things get cold. To handle the weight and the lift, I'll pull the back end of the belly into the guides. Trials so far indicate that this will be a nice fishing combo. The rod will easily cast this line with all of the belly out of the guides, but it isn't to my tastes when cast this way. One big advantage: the rod casts this line with authority even when the back end of the belly is in the guides. Makes life easier on the lift.
For tips work, I'll be using a Delta 10/11 with a set of Guideline 8/9 tips (same weight as Delta 10/11 tips). I've also fished this rod with the Delta 9/10 and I actually prefer it for the easy distance it can achieve. A 10/11 DTX 58' multi-tip will do the same job.
Some more recent news: I have to admit to being biased toward sub 14’ rods for shooting heads, so my experience in fishing the 42g head on this rod, not surprisingly, did not live up to my expectations. Afterward I consigned this rod back to the world of longer lines. However, there was a sneaking suspicion lurking in the back of the brain that perhaps it was more my short rod Underhand casting style that was the issue. I’m sure there will be plenty out there who will love the 42g head on this rod. So I went back out only this time with the 38g head and a polyleader. Much, much better fit for me and I’m happy enough with this combination to take the rod out of the ‘long line bin’ and include it in the shooting head stable. All it took was a lighter head that enabled the rod tip to keep up with my short rod biased Underhand stroke. The moral of this story: if you have an efficient Underhand delivery and you’re not happy with a shooting head on this rod, go lighter.
My first marriage of the 68’ 10/11 DTX line with this rod was less than happy. Yes, it went fine as far as distance and loop shape was concerned, but I was working more than I would like. I had liked this line on another 10/11 that I used to own, but I couldn’t get it to work to my satisfaction on this rod. Obviously Scott would not have let it out of the stable if it hadn’t, so the problem had to be me. Spending some quality time with it did the trick for all it needed was for me to ease up a little. With the one exception of a very old Daiwa 16 footer, all of the rods I’ve owned in this class needed some oomph to get distance out of them when they were strung up with longer lines. I had assumed the same with the DTX 15 footer and there was my mistake. All it needs is a very relaxed casting stroke and the rod does the rest. Like the old cliché says, “Let the rod do the work.”