[jmwfish224]

Out of curiosity, why would someone opt for a "compact skagit" as opposed to the traditional skagit head? Why type of rod/casting makes the compact skagit more useful than a regular skagit setup. Thanks.

 

[k2flyfisher]

heres a couple of differences... a) the compact skagit has different lengths for different grains, instead of the same set length for all your grain weights. this makes sense to me because rod lengths vary from 11' - 14'+, and its nice to have lines that are relative to that. it should be noted though, that the "compact" skagit is actually the exact same length (27') as the "traditional" skagit at 660/650 grains. b) there is a 30 grain difference between heads, instead of 50. this lets you dial in your setup better, period. c) the compact skagit also has a legitimate front taper, which translates into a sharper wedge.

that said, i still have my "traditional" 650 that ive just cut the running line off of and turned into a head, but just never fish anymore. the difference isnt so much as to how they fish or cast, youll use the exact same casts with both, and theyll both turn over chickens and t-whatever the hell you want.

 

[jmwfish224]

So it seems that the compact skagit is designed to be a more powerful version of the skagit line. Is that a proper assumption. I checked some of the taper specs and I can see your point about the compact having a legit front taper. Looks like that thing will turn over a brick.

 

[SpeySpaz]

shorter heads for shorter rods.
A little taper makes for smoother casting.
Either way, K2 is right--skagits will basically turn over a small to midsized pickup truck.

 

[rick matney]

Small truck huh? well i have a bunch of flies that a 720 won't even pick out of the water. Guess I need a 1200 or so anybody know of a bigger skagit say in the 1000 plus range?

 

[KerryS]

Small truck huh? well i have a bunch of flies that a 720 won't even pick out of the water. Guess I need a 1200 or so anybody know of a bigger skagit say in the 1000 plus range?

Get a bait caster.

 

[NomDeTrout]

rick, weld two different heads togehter to make 1000 gr+!

 

[rick matney]

Uhmmm i have a lot of baitcasters....and i have tried welding two together....the head is too long. and I am being totally serious right now.

 

[nutsack angler]

Rick,
What about taking say 4 skagit 275 grain heads and hitting them with a heat gun. Might take forever but you could revolutionize fly fishing for trophy trouts!

 

[KerryS]

and I am being totally serious right now.

sounds like a senior moment....................I got nothing for you. Perhaps splicing some chunks of t14 intermittantly into the head.

 

[Red Shed]

It takes mass to turn over mass. Rio 750 skaj with a 7.5' cheater, short heavy leader, and a 15' stick.

For the super heavy chickens I would forget anything with a front taper.

 

[Todd Burt]

Well put Pop...

 

[gone johnson]

Small truck huh? well i have a bunch of flies that a 720 won't even pick out of the water. Guess I need a 1200 or so anybody know of a bigger skagit say in the 1000 plus range?

Check out the garden hose section of Ace Hardware. I also have some old air hose that you could experiment with.

 

[Mumbles]

Medieval catapult system? Maybe get someone like Steve Godshall of SpeyWerks to weld you some custom 12 wt base line with integrated weldable zink tip material to get you that 1000 grain head weight you seek. It might be an ugly two colored line but it should be possible to make such a beast and likely would turn over pretty big birds. Out of curiosity what is the wet grain weight of your biggest flies and what stick are you launching all this mass with? I have no idea what to suggest but your dilemma is a fascinating one. My last sugeestion is a Midieval catapult system. I might even be up for the creation of such a device and identify methods of mounting it on your drift boat.

 

[rick matney]

I am currently using a 720 gr. compact skagit and a (10,11,12) -5 foot intermediate cheater, and 13 ft. of T-17 . Or 13ft. of T-15 all thrown on a 9140 Echo TR.

I would have to weigh my flies to see how heavy they are wet but they are 8-10" long with x-large lead eyes and .030 lead wire wrapped full shank....and they are anything but sparse. Usually bunny , birdfur, and marabou....plus schlappen etc.

And this is the best set up i have come up with so far and it still is not enough.

 

[Big Tuna]

I am currently using a 720 gr. compact skagit and a (10,11,12) -5 foot intermediate cheater, and 13 ft. of T-17 . Or 13ft. of T-15 all thrown on a 9140 Echo TR.

I would have to weigh my flies to see how heavy they are wet but they are 8-10" long with x-large lead eyes and .030 lead wire wrapped full shank....and they are anything but sparse. Usually bunny , birdfur, and marabou....plus schlappen etc.

And this is the best set up i have come up with so far and it still is not enough.

Could it be that the flies are a little overkill?

 

[Mumbles]

Rick, I gotta see you chucking that setup. Hope you'll be at the Hoh Down so we can see those chickens and rabbits fly.

 

[Grayone]

"I am currently using a 720 gr. compact skagit and a (10,11,12) -5 foot intermediate cheater, and 13 ft. of T-17 . Or 13ft. of T-15"......................that actually is a very sweet setup.................kinda looks really familiar........just kinda


Rick......I have a T- 39 x 12ft long(cut it off a chuck&duck)......................that might work to turn over your whole turkeys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TallFlyGuy]

I am currently using a 720 gr. compact skagit and a (10,11,12) -5 foot intermediate cheater, and 13 ft. of T-17 . Or 13ft. of T-15 all thrown on a 9140 Echo TR.

I would have to weigh my flies to see how heavy they are wet but they are 8-10" long with x-large lead eyes and .030 lead wire wrapped full shank....and they are anything but sparse. Usually bunny , birdfur, and marabou....plus schlappen etc.

And this is the best set up i have come up with so far and it still is not enough.

Take 12ft strips of CCT and weld them together every10 or so inches. Hell, take two 510 airflo skagits and do the same thing. That should work

Are those flies for Steelhead or browns?

 

[sothereiwas]

I think ditching any line with front taper to throw big flies is misleading. The very fact that the Compact Skagit has front taper makes it cast with a tighter loop than the standard Rio Skagit. This generally translates into better line speed and better transfer of energy towards the target. The Rio looks and feels more like a lob than a cast and that has to effect distance and turnover.

One thing that no one seams to touch on is that the T-materials are limp, even though the grains per foot match or are slightly lighter, than the tip given Skagit head they lack the rigidity to transfer that energy down that level tip material effectively and often need to be coaxed into opening up all the way.