Maxcatch Skagit Shooting Head Fly Line 200GR-650GR 17FT-25FT with 2 Welded Loops

I'm surprised by this Skagit shooting head line. For how thick it is, it is actually quite supple and easy to handle. Any kinks or wobble in the line get worked out quick once casting. It shoots far and lays the line out clean and accurately. I also like the orange indicator section to know where to put the line for casting.It pairs very nicely with the Maxcatch 14' 9wt Spey rod for Salmon fishing.Only thing that needs to be modified, possibly, and as already mentioned in other reviews, is that the welded loops are pretty thick and get caught in guides easily. Might be best to redo the loops or find another system for connecting lines. Would also possibly work to just carefully scrape the coating off the line at the loop so it is just braided core in the loop area. The braid is thick on this line and would probably hold up well.If you plan on spooling this up onto your reel instead of taking it off the line, make sure you have an extra large fly reel to fit it all. It's super thick and eats up room very fast. Can cause reel binding when not managed properly so give it plenty of extra reel space. If you use a mono shooting line that is not coated, then there might be enough extra room to fit this Skagit head onto the reel without worry. If you use a coated shooting line, then plan on needing much more room in the reel.

I'm running the 550g Skagit Shooting Head on a 13' #8/9 MaxCatch Spey rod with Rio running line. The head casts really well, but the welded loop on the end that connects to the running line is way too thick. It would get caught on the rod guides and cause issues when fighting a fish close in. When a fish makes a last run the line would catch and potentially break the guides, rod, or leader. The solve was to cut off the welded loop and install a slip on leader loop. These are much thinner and solved the issue. If you order this shooting head I would go ahead and add the Corland or RIO slip on leader loops to your order. If you have a different rod with larger guides/eyelets then don't worry about it.

In the end it’s a trash line, it’s far too brittle and it’ll twist and kink like no other. Sure you can cast it but the extra X amount of time fixing it isn’t worth it for me.

Shooting head seems to be a decent quality it definitely gets a little stiffer than a Rio shooting head in cold water the welded loops fail pretty consistently across the four heads I have purchased I imagine this is something to do with the cold weather and the line becoming stiff possibly brittle I've never had the core failed though I have both re-welded the loop and used a nail knot to attach to the shooting line I suggest the nail knot other than that the head casts amazing the price is absolutely outstanding and totally worth any minor inconveniences it may pose. I used to be a huge Rio fan that's both sage and Rio are both owned by far Bank industries a local company they have however recently stopped honoring their lifetime warranty on their lines so I failed to see how I'm supposed to pay four times as much without the warranty that was the whole reason I shopped sage and Rio shame, I don't have any regrets purchasing this shooting head caught lots of fish on it grass casted it for hours with no damage and with the decline in customer service from the premium line manufacturers you really have nothing to lose.

I've used this shooting head (300g 20ft) for 2 months now on my 5wt and 6wt switch rods and it's fantastic for the price. Being that I've used Rio and OPST shooting heads, I was skeptical when trying this but the difference isn't very noticeable if any. I've caught a bunch of trout including a 24" Bull and never had any issues. Also, I've broken off a fair amount of gear and the loops have help up fine.

Sorta wish Maxcatch had a bolder color, just for an “indicator “ purposes

The media could not be loaded.  I’ve only had the head for a few days. 650 grain with 10’ sink tip , OPST running line, 13’6” Spey rod. Over 100 foot cast one false cast.

For the money you can’t go wrong. I’m fishing a short river casting maybe 60-80 ft max.. so for long distance performance I can’t say much.. but for what I need it’s great. most inexpensive lines I use feel gritty or rough through the guides BUT this one is smooth!