Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} OPST Commando Heads

OPST makes many different products, but the gist of it is that Ed Ward (he's the W in M.O.W. tips by Rio, and pioneer alongside 2 other guys that invented and refined Pacific NW steelhead casting, or Skagit casting) wanted a versatile single and 2-handed casting line to his own specs.  Simple, heavy heads that loaded well and shot far with minimal effort.

 

He came up with a taper design for some Skagit heads, for tips that go on the front of the head of different densities and sink rates, and stiff mono shooting lines that maximize shooting distance.  If you've ever seen him cast his lines, you'll see how remarkably easy it is with the right setup to get this stuff to cast.  These are called Commando Heads and Commando Tips.  The running line is called Lazar Running Line.

 

As time went on they added a few things to their product selection like Micro Tips for lower line weight single handed rods, and most recently rods as well as a fully integrated line (head and shooting/running line) attached.  This line is called the Commando Smooth.

 

Couple of pointers – Rio Products makes all of OPST's lines.  Additionally, using a fully integrated line is great if you only plan on using that reel on one outfit or scenario, but they would use reel on multiple setups.  Changing the heads and the tips out is very easy, and one of the reasons why they chose to start that way.

 

We stock heads from 150gr all the way up to 475gr.

 

They're not for everyone, but they make using spey techniques on single handed rods easier and more fun in my opinion, although I wouldn't go so far as to say you should use them for shad or in Shenandoah, but to each their own.

 

Hope that helps.

 

 

R

 

 

From: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com>
Reply-To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com>
Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 4:03 PM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} OPST Commando Heads

 

As I understand OPTS Shooting Heads are intended to be paired with OPST Smooth Commando Smooth allowing Spey style casting with a single hand rod.  I've been using both the heads and Smooth for a little over a year.  I've been casting the line on six weight rods.  The heads vary in weight depending on it's intended use.  I frequently use my "kit" on the Potomac.

On Monday, February 10, 2020 at 9:27:17 PM UTC-5, robert mills wrote:

Learning line management for mono running lines takes some practice.

Also Reagen will hopefully chime in at some point.

On Monday, February 10, 2020 at 9:20:28 PM UTC-5, Rob wrote:

I have a 5wt commando head and can easily roll cast 60 feet. The issue is with stripping in the running line. I thought the head would be great for roll casting from shore for shad. Line launched extremely far but the retrieve was tedious. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 10, 2020, at 5:19 PM, Jamie Carracher <jcarr...@gmail.com> wrote:



Has anyone fished with these lines before? I happened upon demo videos on YouTube last year, and was really intrigued by the ability to get distance with single handed roll/spey casts. I am toying with rigging a 6 wt single handed rod and targeting bass, snakehead, maybe even northeast Ohio steelhead. 

 

From what I've read, people say they cast well but are no good mending. Also unclear if you can switch between casting styles. Would love any thoughts.

 

http://www.opskagit.com/commando-heads.html

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