SalmoG. you make a good point however i think we can assume that regardless of the effectivness of gear fishing those of us here having this debate want to swing... If i wanna gear fish i am gonna gear fish, i life drifting a pink worm with a casting rod but i don't mix fly fishing and gear fishing..

I don't see anything grasefull incasting sink tips whether on a long or short belly it's all junk casting as far as I am concerned. therefore i find it easier to cast one with the massive head and less energy of a windcutter, I know guys who throw 15 feet of lc13 with their xlt's but it doesn't look like fun Just like stripping in 50 feet of line ever cast in the summer isn't fun..
however i am all for individuality to to each his own. for me it's the simplicity of the WC in winter and a long belly or DT in the summer after the first of May I refuse to use sink tips...