Sink tip
Also called sink-tip line, sink tip line
A sink tip is a fly line with a floating rear section and a sinking front section. It helps get flies down while keeping the cast and line control of a floating line.
- Group
- Fly lines
- Category
- Gear & tackle
- Level
- Intermediate
- Water
- Fresh & salt
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What Sink tip means
Many sink tips are built as a single line, floating running line with a short sinking section at the front. That front section is rated by sink rate, and often comes in different lengths for different depths and currents.
They show up most around streamers and swung flies. The sinking tip pulls the fly under, while the floating portion stays easier to mend, pick up, and recast than a full sinking line. Some anglers use a sink tip from a boat on rivers, others use it wading.
Why it matters on the water
A sink tip lets you cover a range of depths without changing your whole system. If the fly is tracking too high, a faster or longer tip gets it down. If it is ticking bottom, a slower or shorter tip keeps it in the zone without hanging up as much.
It also affects how the fly moves. With a floating line, a streamer often wants to rise during the swing or the pause. With a sink tip, the fly stays deeper and in the zone longer, which can be the difference between showing fish a baitfish profile and showing them the back of a fly.
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Read next
- Floating lineA floating line is a fly line designed to ride on top of the water. It is the standard choice for dry flies, indicators, and many shallow nymph and streamer setups.
- LeaderThe leader is the clear, tapered line between the fly line and the fly. It turns the fly over and gives you a clean, controlled presentation.
- Sinking lineA sinking line is a fly line built to sink below the surface so you can fish deeper without adding as much weight.
- StreamerA streamer is a fly meant to be moved to imitate a baitfish, leech, sculpin, or crayfish. It is often fished with strips, swings, or a steady retrieve, but it can also be dead-drifted.
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