Rio Elite Flats Pro StealthTip
In Stock • Bozeman, MT
- Built with RIO's exceptionally slick, durable SlickCast coating
- Low-stretch DirectCore for hard, solid strip sets
- High floating running line that will not sink and impede the cast
- Easy annealing, low-memory core that lays perfectly straight on the water
Description
The Stealth Tip version is essentially a floating line with a really short, clear 6-foot intermediate tip for the ultimate in stealth: the fly rides just under the surface with no visible sinking-line profile to spook wary fish, while the rest of the line stays on top for easy pickup.
A mid-length head and an extended back taper let the line carry well at distance while still loading the rod on a single backcast for a fast, close-range shot — the kind of split-second cast a permit or a moving school of bonefish demands. RIO's ConnectCore Plus low-stretch core transfers strip-set energy directly to the hook for a solid connection on hard-mouthed saltwater species, SlickCast coating stays hard and slick even on a scorching boat deck for long, easy-shooting casts all day, and the SureFire tri-color system marks the tip, loading point, and running line so an angler always knows how much line is out.
Features
• 6ft Clear Intermediate Tip — Just the last 6 feet sinks slowly, for the ultimate stealth presentation.
• Mid-Length Head, Long Back Taper — Loads fast for close shots, carries well for longer casts into wind.
• ConnectCore Plus Low-Stretch — Roughly 30% less stretch than a standard core for solid strip-sets on hard-mouthed flats species.
• SlickCast Coating — Stays hard and slick in tropical heat; reduces friction for longer, easier casts.
• SureFire Tri-Color System — Marks the tip, loading sweet spot, and running line for a precise casting reference.
• Half-Size-Heavy Build — Turns over crab and shrimp patterns and punches into wind without an overly delicate taper.
• Saltwater-Grade Core Strength — 30lb (6-7 wt) to 60lb (10-12 wt), built to handle big, hard-fighting fish.
• Welded Loops, Front and Rear — Fast, secure connections to backing and leader.
Rod Pairing
| Rod Action | Pairing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Action | Excellent | Pairs well with modern saltwater rods and provides quick loading, high line speed, and control in the wind. |
| Medium-Fast Action | Very Good | Loads easily and maintains the smooth loops and controlled presentation this taper is designed to deliver. |
| Medium Action | Use Caution | The heavier-than-standard grain weight may overload softer rods, particularly when carrying more of the head. |
Size Guide
| Line Weight | Head Length | Head Weight | Grain Weight (30') | Species / Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WF6F | 48 ft | 265 gr | 185 gr | Technical bonefish, smaller flats species, and calm conditions |
| WF7F | 49 ft | 305 gr | 210 gr | Technical bonefish, light redfish, sea trout, sheepshead |
| WF8F | 49 ft | 335 gr | 240 gr | All-around bonefish, redfish, triggerfish, and light permit fishing, peacock bass, golden dorado |
| WF9F | 50 ft | 400 gr | 280 gr | Permit, large bonefish, juvenile tarpon, triggerfish, snook, peacock bass, golden dorado |
| WF10F | 50 ft | 475 gr | 330 gr | Permit, juvenile tarpon, bull redfish, roosterfish, trevally, cuda, bumphead parrotfish |
| WF11F | 50 ft | 545 gr | 380 gr | Tarpon, roosterfish, GT |
| WF12F | 50 ft | 590 gr | 430 gr | Tarpon, GT, offshore |
FAQ
What are the parts of a fly line and what does each section do?
A weight-forward fly line has five sections: Running Line: The thin, level back section that shoots through guides. SlickCast's low friction keeps it moving on long shots and quick pickups off the water. Rear Taper: The transition from running line to belly. The Flats Pro's extended back taper lets an angler carry more line in the air for distance and pick up a long line to recast without stripping everything back in first. Belly (Head): The thickest section, and the reason this taper is called "mid-length" — long enough to carry line at range, short enough to load the rod on a single backcast for a quick shot. Front Taper: The transition from belly to tip. Built at half a line size heavy, it turns over crab and shrimp patterns and punches into wind without becoming a delicate, presentation-only taper. Tip: The final 6 feet — a clear intermediate section that sinks slowly. The rest of the line floats, so only the fly and leader ride just under the surface.
How does the Stealth Tip compare to the other Flats Pro sink rates?
RIO builds the Elite Flats Pro in four configurations on the same taper and core: Floating — the standard all-purpose flats line, fishing shallow water and sight-casting to fish cruising near the surface. Float/6ft StealthTip (reviewed here) — essentially a floating line with a very short, 6-foot clear intermediate tip, for the ultimate in stealth: the fly rides just under the surface without any visible sinking-line profile spooking fish in skinny water. Float/15ft Clear Tip — a floating line with a longer 15-foot clear intermediate tip, for working slightly deeper or presenting flies more subtly to pressured fish. Full Intermediate — the entire line sinks slowly, keeping the fly in the strike zone through wind, chop, and current; better suited to faster presentations to tarpon and snook, or working drop-offs at the edges of flats.
What is ConnectCore Plus and why does it matter on the flats?
ConnectCore Plus is RIO's low-stretch core technology, stretching roughly 30% less than a standard fly line core. Flats species like permit and bonefish often have hard mouths and spook at the slightest hesitation, so a low-stretch core matters twice over: it transfers strip-set energy straight to the hook point instead of absorbing it, and it gives a more direct, sensitive connection for feeling subtle takes at distance.
What is SlickCast and how does it hold up in tropical heat?
SlickCast is RIO's proprietary coating, built to be the slickest and most durable finish the company has measured. On the flats specifically, it's engineered to stay hard and slick even on a scorching boat deck rather than turning soft and sticky — a real problem with lower-quality coatings in direct tropical sun. That translates to less friction through the guides for longer, easier casts, plus better resistance to abrasion from coral, sand, and repeated casting.
What is the SureFire tri-color system?
SureFire is a three-color marking system built into the line to give a visual casting reference. The first color marks the tip, the second marks the belly's optimal loading point, and the third marks the running line. On the flats, where a guide is often calling out distance to a moving fish in real time, being able to glance down and see exactly how much head is out — rather than guessing — helps an angler load the rod consistently and get the fly out fast.
