Walter & Group.........
From Bruce Richards :
Thanks Gordy a very complete reply. I would only argue one point, and that
is the stiffness issue. I don't think that has a place in this discussion.
While there may be some cases where there is a significant difference in
line stiffness, esp. between shooting head and mono shooting line, I
contend that the even more radical difference in mass is a bigger issue.
The biggest problem is with high density sinking heads and mono SLs. The
problem is two-fold. First, there is no way to taper high density heads
small enough to reduce the mass of the tip enough to prevent some line
"kick" as the loop opens to the leader. This throws some slack into the
line. Also, when casting with more than a small amount of overhang, there
is another "kick" as the head reaches the loop front. Initially the loop is
in light SL only, when the short tapered back end of the head makes the
turn into the loop front there is a dramatic mass change that throws a
shock wave through the loop. The heavy head doesn't like the rapid
direction change. This throws more slack into the line, the farther this
happens from the rod tip (the more overhang), the more severe the result.
Those are the reasons it is very tough to cast high density heads with much
overhang.
The issue is the same at either end of the line. Matching mass is much more
important than stiffness. It is easy to match line to leader butt stiffness
with stiff, but light monofilament. The energy is contained in the moving
mass of the line. If the mass at the transition changes dramatically, so
will the speed. If the same energy is transferred to a lighter mass, speed
must increase to conserve energy, which results in a big "kick", even if
the leader butt is stiff. Regardless of stiffness, for smooth energy
transfer there cannot be a radical change in mass. That is the reason for
the rule stating that leader butts should be approx. 2/3 of line tip
diameter for best performance. Nylon has a specific gravity of approx. 1.2,
fly lines, about .85. Being more dense leader butts of 2/3 line tip dia.
have nearly equal mass. Simple physics really, but not well understood by
many. The most common misuse of this I see is with SW leaders. Many casters
will use 40 lb. stiff leader butts for tarpon lines. Certainly stiff enough
(not that that is any advantage), but not heavy enough to take the energy
from the line so casting performance is poor. Regardless of nylon type,
mass matching is THE key to good performance, just as it is in line design.
The leader is nothing more than an extension of the fly line, the same
rules apply.
Bruce
Scientific Anglers/3M
4100 James Savage Rd.
Midland, MI 48642 USA
Tel: 989-496-1113
Fax: 989-496-3374
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From Jerry Puckett:
Gordy:
How does one creat more SLP of the rod tip to carry more line for distant casting?
Thanks, Jerry
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Jerry .... By having a good match between application of power, stroke length, rod arc and rod bend along with no side to side deviation ("tracking") . Couple all this with smooth, constant acceleration and a crisp stop at exactly the right time and you have it.
Sounds, "easy".... but with multiple variables, it is a tall order. That's why only the very best casters can do it when carrying lots of line out of the rod tip, especially when a lot of overhang is involved.
Gordy
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