Airflo Rage Compact Float Shooting Head

Not quite a Skagit and Not quite a Scandi, Airflo’s Rage Compact Shooting Head Floating Fly Line bridges the gap between the two to deliver you a head that makes those windy days as easy as it gets. A floating head that doesn’t quite fit any specific label, the Rage Compact Shooting Head provides versatility when two-hand casting and is available in a variety of grain weights from 180 through 600 so that you can rely on it for anything from trout spey fishing on the Delaware to fishing New York tributaries for steelhead and salmon. 

Features

Power Core - Airflo’s Power Core technology is their own way of providing strength and minimizing line stretch. This is a key feature when you need to apply power to fight as well as a solid addition for those strong hook sets. To add organization to your systems, Airflo prints the line size right on the line and gives each grain weight a different color and color-coded welded loops so you’re never stuck fumbling to find the right weight head. 

Uses

Large Streamers and Spey Flies - Airflo the Rage Compact Shooting Head in order to fall somewhere between a Skagit and Scandi, and because of this hybridization, it’s a great choice when fishing larger flies that require a little extra oomph. This is also a head that works well with a variety of floating and sinking poly leaders for added versatility. Not only does this head excel when casting large flies, but its construction also lends itself to windy conditions, making it a strong choice for days with less than favorable conditions.

Temp

Cold/Moderate - Airflo considers this line to be perfect for cold to moderate temperatures. This means that it’s great for those winter steelhead as well as spring days spent swinging soft hackles for trout. Once you get into territory that’s above 70 degrees or so, the Rage Compact Shooting Head will soften up and be tough to handle.

Taper/Weight

More Mass Toward the Front of the Head - Airflo designed their Rage Compact Heads with a very aggressive taper. This allows for easy casting regardless of your style, and it makes straightening out your leader nice and simple. This head is made with a variety of tapers depending on the grain weight, but they all maintain a thick tip for smooth casting and convenient turnover. 

More Info

Best for: Freshwater, Trout Spey and Steelhead

Loops: Front welded loop (leader to fly line connection) and back welded loop (running line to shooting head connection)

Sinking/Floating: Floating

Other Resources

2020 Tropical Saltwater Fly Line Shootout & Buyer's Guide

Fly Line Temps: Tropical Vs. Coldwater

Freshwater Fly Line Shootout & Buyer's Guide