Review: Two Sink-Tip Fly Lines for Musky to Striped Bass

August 25, 2026

As I work through some physical therapy exercises to reset my rotator cuff, I thought I’d jot down some thoughts on a couple of lines I’ve been testing lately. Did I need more fly lines? No. Let's be honest, I probably never needed to switch from the lines I started with 10 years ago. We seek out new gear because chasing fish exactly the way we want to is more rewarding than the actual catch. I don’t need to tell you that, though. You're reading the All Points Fly Shop blog, which means you’re just like me. You know a bad fly line will probably work, but when you can't get the right action or a solid hook set, all you’ll think about is the line you wish you had spooled up. If you are throwing meat at musky, stripers, or giant river smallies, you need a line built for the perfect eat.

Lately, I’ve been testing two specific heavy-sink setups on the beach and on my skiff. Here are my thoughts on a couple of lines I just had to have this season.

(Click each title for more info on the fly line)

Scientific Anglers Sonar Musky Gen 2 (450 Grain)

The Target: Pike, Striped Bass, and Smallmouth
MSRP: $99.95
The Summery: I bought this line because I was tired of my previous running lines building up twists and knotting. They always seemed to knot up right during the best eat of the day. SA intentionally thickened the diameter of the intermediate running line on this Gen 2 version, and honestly, it’s a game changer.
On the Water: The 30-foot Sink 5 head is perfect for tossing Beast Fleyes, jigs, Double Bufords, or whatever creation you come up with at the vise. It concentrates the weight right up front. This means I can make a single backcast from the bow of the skiff and punch a water logged, River Pig or Beast Fleye 50 feet right into a weed bed or a rocky drop-off.
Performance Details: This line requires one good stretch in the warmer months and a few when temps drop below 50°F. Beyond 75°F, the coating starts to feel sticky. Despite the shooting head design, I found it manageable to carry line out to 70 feet when paired with the right fast-action rod—though that is more of a feat for casting pleasure than fishing practicality.
The Payoff: This line allows for some of the strongest hook sets possible. The thick running line ensures a full grip when your hands are cold and wet, noticeably increasing hook purchase. I tested this line using a Diamondback Universal Predator (400 grain) and Chippewa River Custom Rods predator models in both 9-foot and 10-foot lengths. It casts on the two-handed Chippewa rods beautifully if you’re into that kind of thing.

RIO Coastal Crabber

The Target: Beach Bound Stripers and Deep Structure Pike
MSRP: $129.99
The Summery: I had to have this line because it was developed by two local Maine guys I think the world of, and I am sure glad I bought it. Even though I am not much into crabbing, I found this line to be very effective.
On the Water: The 32-foot Sink 7 tip, with its outbound short style shooting head, is easy to launch like a cannon. I opted to use it with jig-style streamers that successfully climbed over underwater snags when fish refused to eat in the middle of the water column.
Performance Details: In colder weather, its abrasion resistant coating makes it challenging to stretch out. It required multiple stretches to shoot smoothly from a stripping basket, but once it "warmed up," it performed exceptionally well. It handled abrasion and being stepped on in the surf better than most lines I’ve used. This line does not carry long casts well, which is honestly fine from a self-preservation standpoint when throwing heavily weighted jig flies.
The Payoff: I had a blast using this line for summer pike holding deep next to weed beds. It sinks quickly enough to drag a foam slider fly right down into the pike's zone. The resulting action is exciting and triggered strikes from neutral fish that otherwise wouldn't feed. It also performed well dragging floating crayfish patterns through boulder fields for trophy smallmouth. In warmer temperatures, the stiffness goes away, and the line performs beautifully with just one good stretch at the beginning of the day. Like most RIO lines with a DirectCore, hook sets are solid. While you lose a little contact when using a floating fly, the eats on jig streamers for striped bass were apparent. I tested this line on the same Diamondback and Chippewa River setups.