Compact Sink Type 9

The Specialty Series Compact Sink Type 9 is the world’s most versatile sinking lines, rated for all temperature conditions. Featuring a 28ft Type 9 (8-9IPS) sinking head paired with an intermediate, low friction running line that will keep your fly down in the zone. The 12ft step aids with handling and double hauling.

- Type 9 Sinking Head
- Intermediate Running Line
- Slick and Supple

WATER: Freshwater / Saltwater
LINE: Sinking / Intermediate
TAPER: Weight Forward
LENGTH: 100ft
CORE: Monofilament
SPECIES: Bass / Salmon / Steelhead / Trout / Pike / Musky / Striped Bass / False Albacore / Bluefish

Find a Local Dealer

United States deliveries usually take 3-8 business days.

International deliveries can take up to 7 - 18 days.

If you have any question about shipping Contact Us our customer service department is here to help.

 P65 - WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Compact Sink Type 9 Breakdown

Our Specialty Series Compact Sink Type 9 features a 28 ft. type 9 (8-9 IPS) sinking head with a short 3 ft. front taper for turning over large, air-resistant flies. The short 2 ft. back taper helps load this line quickly and makes it extremely shootable. Intermediate running line removes any hinges in the line and gives you a smooth transition into the depths.

This dual colored line features our low stretch braided nylon core for consistent, powerful hook sets and ultimate stopping power. Our signature Shooting Technology keeps your line remaining slick, supple and fast shooting. The black and light blue color combination distinguishes taper change and is traceable yet stealthy in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

SPECIES: Bass / Trout / Pike / Musky / Striped Bass / False Albacore / Bluefish / Jungle Species


WATER LINE DENSITY TAPER CORE
Freshwater / Saltwater Sinking / Intermediate Weight Forward Monofilament

LINE SIZE GRAIN WEIGHT HEAD LENGTH TOTAL LENGTH
WF 5/6 200 gr. 28 ft. 100 ft.
WF 6/7 240 gr. 28 ft. 100 ft.
WF 7/8 275 gr. 28 ft. 100 ft.
WF 8/9 310 gr. 28 ft. 100 ft.
WF 9/10 350 gr. 28 ft. 100 ft.
WF 11/12 425 gr. 28 ft. 100 ft.
WF 12+ 500 gr. 28 ft. 100 ft.

Technologies

Dual Welded Loops Technology Icon
DUAL WELDED LOOPS

Welded loops make rigging fast, easy and reliable. Cortland loops are strong, secure and durable.

Shooting Technology Icon
SHOOTING TECHNOLOGY

ST coating delivers a reduced-friction performance with a glass-smooth finish and remains a key element in line slickness over its life span.

Heat-Tempered Surface Treatment Technology Icon
HEAT-TEMPERED SURFACE TREATMENT

A proccess that incorporates extreme slickness additives. Seals out dirt and oils while maintaining an exceptionally low friction coeffecient.

Warm Temperature Technology Icon
WARM TEMPERATURE

Ideal use in 50 - 70 degree (F) temperatures.

Tropical Temperature Technology Icon
TROPICAL TEMPERATURE

Ideal use in 70+ degree (F) temperatures.

A fish going after a lure underwater.

Article Written by Nick Curcione. Article Read Time: 5 Minutes Calico bass may not enjoy the star quality ratings associated with the likes of some of their west coast inshore neighbors like...

FAQ

Our Compact Sink fly lines are built for both medium and warm water environments. This line will perform best in temperatures between 50 and 70+ degrees (F).

The taper design for our Compact Sink Fly Lines were built overly aggressive to cast large flies, punch through wind and deliver flies where they need to go despite the conditions. The short body and short rear taper allows for minimal false casts while achieving maximum distance. The short front taper will turn over any large fly or weighted pattern with ease. This line is built overweighted for quick loading and fast shooting.

The black and light blue color combination distinguishes taper change and proper loading point. The black head paired with the light blue running line is extremely stealthy while traceable.

Cleaning your fly line is very important especially when fishing saltwater. Simply pull line off your reel into a clean bucket or tub of freshwater. Put roughly 1oz or more of Cortland’s Line Cleaner solution onto a clean rag or towel. Firmly squeeze the towel with Pro Line Cleaner around the line and slowly pull line through the towel. You should be able to see dirt or discolored streaks on the towel when finished.

Learn more about Cortland's Fly Line Cleaner Lubricant & Pads.

Hover: Neutral
Slow Intermediate: 1 IPS (Inches Per Second) 
Medium Intermediate: 1.5 - 2 IPS (Inches Per Second)
Fast Intermediate: 2 - 3 IPS (Inches Per Second)
Type 3 Sink Rate: 3 - 4 IPS (Inches Per Second)
Type 4 Sink Rate: 4 - 5 IPS (Inches Per Second)
Type 5 Sink Rate: 5 - 6 IPS (Inches Per Second)
Type 6 Sink Rate: 6 - 7 IPS (Inches Per Second)
Type 7 Sink Rate: 7 - 8 IPS (Inches Per Second)
Type 9 Sink Rate: 9+ IPS (Inches Per Second)

average rating 5.0 out of 5
Based on 7 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    7 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 2 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 1 Star
    0 Reviews
100% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
Customer photos and videos
7 Reviews
Reviewed by Thorbjørn S.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Best general fly line for Zambezi tigerfish

Getting bulkier flies down deep fast, and for them to stay deep, has proved a challenge to me when targeting tigerfish, especially in colder water conditions. Lower to higher temperature range adds to the complexity in choice of one general line; coating and core. I contacted Cortland for advice and Scott suggested this line as the best option. It is. After having fished the Upper Zambezi hard during long days for a couple of weeks, I will not go without this fast sinker for tigers. It gets everything down deep faster than anything I have used before. One is soon fishing right on or over the bottom with this one. It still needs stretching now and then, but it is as good as it gets. Delivery is powerful, fast and one easily covers good distance with heavy flies and wire-leaders. The short sink 9 head makes it a breeze back-casting from the boat close to a shoreline full of high vegetation, and the pale shooting line is an easy marker for when to let go of the double-haul. The best default tigerline around IMO. Thank you for this line, Cortland - and for the advice, Scott.

Loading...
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Jack C.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Love the fast sink rate!

Love the fast sink rate to get my fly down for Puget Sound coho salmon from a boat!

Loading...
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Darryl Y.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Super Sinker

Fastest sinking line on the market. Absolutely the way to go for lake trout.

Loading...
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Juan O.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Great line!

As always, quality of Cortland products is above and beyond!

Loading...
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Steven B.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Nushagak Kings

Line casted awesome 11WT Scott Meridian or Helios 2 10 WT Laid out a big ast no problems. Will be looking at Cortland lines from here on. Here are the reels of choice.

Loading...
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Terry D.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Shad/Striper slayer

Get down to the fish, strips and casts with ease. Hammered the shad first day out of the box on Upper Roanoke. Did the same on stripers the next day on Lower Roanoke. My new favorite depth charge.

Loading...
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Eric K.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Great Company+Great Line=Happy Adventurer

This is a fantastic line. Sinks fast!!!

Loading...
Was this helpful?

Penetrate the Depths with Speed and Control | Cortland Line

Use this text to share information about your brand with your customers. Describe a product, share announcements, or welcome customers to your store.

January 15th, 2026

When the giants of the deep are holding tight to the bottom in swift currents or plunging into the abyss of a deep lake, standard sinking lines simply won't cut it. You need a line that dives rapidly, cuts through the water column, and keeps your fly in the strike zone longer. The Specialty Series Compact Sink Type 9 is engineered for these exact scenarios. It stands as the world's most versatile sinking line, designed to perform flawlessly across all temperature conditions, giving you the upper hand whether you are chasing stripers in a rip or dredging for lake trout in the heat of summer. This line is built for the serious angler who understands that depth control is the most critical factor in presentation. It eliminates the frustration of waiting for a line to settle, allowing you to get down to the fish immediately and stay there throughout the retrieve.

Rapid Descent, Precision Handling

The engine of this line is its aggressive 28-foot Type 9 sinking head. With a sink rate of 8 to 9 inches per second (IPS), this head is designed to plummet. It drags large, buoyant flies down quickly, bypassing the unproductive upper water columns to reach the predators lurking below. Whether you are battling strong tidal currents or trying to reach a ledge in 30 feet of water, this head ensures your presentation gets where it needs to be.

Unique to this design is a 12-foot step integrated into the taper. This feature is a game-changer for handling and casting. It smoothes out the transition between the heavy head and the running line, aiding significantly in double hauling. You get a smoother, more powerful cast with less "hinging," allowing you to punch heavy flies into the wind with authority. Paired with an intermediate running line, you maintain a direct, straight-line connection to your fly without the slack caused by floating running lines.

Versatility and Durability Redefined

The Compact Sink Type 9 is engineered for durability, featuring a monofilament core built for powerful species like musky, pike, and striped bass. Its adaptable design remains slick and supple in both cool spring waters (50°F–70°F) and tropical heat. Equipped with our Shooting Technology (ST) coating and Heat-Tempered Surface Treatment, the line boasts an ultra-smooth finish that reduces friction and resists dirt for effortless casting. Dual Welded Loops ensure fast, reliable rigging for trophy fish. The 12-foot step design enhances handling and double-haul precision, while the Type 9 head sinks at 8–9 inches per second—perfect for deep-water targets. An intermediate running line provides a direct connection for superior strike detection. This 100-foot, weight-forward sinking line is a versatile choice for freshwater and saltwater, ideal for everything from bass and trout to salmon, steelhead, and false albacore.

Explore Premium Fly Fishing Gear at Cortland Line

At Cortland Line Company, we share your passion for fly fishing. We specialize in high-performance fly lines for both freshwater and saltwater, alongside a full range of leaders, tippets, rods, and reels. With over 100 years of experience, we take pride in designing and manufacturing the world’s finest fly lines and braided fishing lines. As angling techniques evolve, we remain dedicated to developing innovative technologies that enhance your time on the water. Every line we sell is made in the USA at our premier facility in Cortland, New York. As industry pioneers, many of our technologies continue to set the standard for modern fly line development. If you have questions about our elite fly lines or any other gear, please reach out—we love talking shop. We look forward to seeing you out on the water.