saltwater line

BeeDub · 08-30-00, 09:49 AM

I am about to order an Okuma Sierra 8/9 reel from Worldwaters and need some advice on correct line choice. I will order an extra spool, so I am looking for 1st and 2nd choice recommendations for lines to use while fishing the Apalachicola area and Keys.

Can I get by for less than $50-60 per line?

Sink rate? DT or WF? etc.

Thanks, folks.

bbell · 08-30-00, 10:10 AM

Buy a Scientific Angler's Bonefish taper intermediate clear line (sometimes called a slime line). I use this line for nearly all of my saltwater fishing and it even works fairly well with poppers (the intermediate sink rate isn't too fast).

I would recommend that you use a sinking line in saltwater because wave action, wind, and floating grass can severely impair your control of a floating line. The clear color of the intermediate lines is a big plus for spooky fish. These lines aren't cheap, but they are worth it.

For a second line, get a floating line in a fairly subdued color for use with poppers or bass flies. Again, the floating bonefish tapers are good, but you might want to get a line that is designed for bass bugs and poppers (Scientific Anglers makes one).

Chris England · 08-30-00, 11:45 AM

Remember what I said about cold water and tropic lines... memory. You may decide to use that line in 40 degree lake water for Stripers.

-- tight lines

BeeDub · 08-30-00, 11:51 AM

Yep, Chris. I saved the info you sent!

bbell · 08-30-00, 12:13 PM

If memory will be a problem...
I have used the Striper/Bluefish line from Scientific Anglers, which is made for coldwater fishing. It handles pretty well in Florida's heat, but it does tend to tangle a little more than most lines. I also found the coating to be pretty weak, although they may have improved upon that.
It is mostly a distance casting line and doesn't really allow as much accuracy as a Bonefish Taper might, but it is perfect for throwing a long line in the surf or out on Lanier.
If memory is a problem, stretch your line by hand before each use. I strip out a fishable distance of line and stretch it by stepping on it (no shoes, though) and pulling the line up on either side, straightening ten feet of line at a time. Another good method (especially when wading with a buddy) is to have him hold the end of the line while you walk away, feeding line from the reel. When you get to the distance of your maximum cast, tighten up on the line and continue moving away while your buddy stands still. As the line stretches, stop and hold it in place for five or ten seconds and the memory will be gone. I don't know if this works in really cold weather but it is worth a try. It works wonders with a slimeline and allows you to get the most out of your cast.

[This message has been edited by bbell (edited 08-30-2000).]

The Ole Man · 08-30-00, 10:18 PM

BeeDubbin
I've been going on the cheap lately-so has GreglSmith. We bought some of those close out lines at $14.95 from Anglers Pro Shop. Reportedly, they are Airflow lines that had a some kind of quality problem. They are repackaged in Anglers Pro Shop bags and marked "Made in UK". Bill Hayes owns Anglerspro. He is a member of the FFF Flycasting Instructor Advisory Board and a 5 time IGFA flyrod world record holder. The ad for the lines says they orig sold for $45/55. I bought a WF7I intermediate sink, saltwater line and a WF4F. I don't see anything seriously wrong with them. One did have a little rough spot back at the end of the line about a foot from where you tie on to the backing. One had a little flat spot about an inch in from the forward end that appeared that the weave in the core had missed a thread or two-I cut that off, as well as a foot off the back of the one with the rough spot. There could be something else show up as far as the life of the coating-but you may want to try some of these. I figured $35.90 for two lines including s/h was worth a gamble. The coating on these lines is difinitely diff from what we normally see. Airflow uses a polymer coating with 5, 7 and 10 yr no crack guarantees for 3 price levels. I did read where the polymer coating and the type core found in the Airflows will not allow a grip by a nail knot very well and should use some other type of leader connection. Anglers Pro includes loop material and shrink tubing with these lines. Just FYI

SWF · 08-31-00, 01:30 PM

Try Cortlands 444 Ghost Tip.

SWF

The Professor · 09-01-00, 09:20 PM

T.O.M.-
Those lines from Airflo were/are the subject of some serious dispute. Alledgely, they were not supposed to have been released on the market due to faults in the durability of the coatings. They looked fine out of the box but the coatings deteriorated fairly rapidly. The lines behaved well until the coatings gave out. So beware!

Airflo's current products are supposed to be amongst the finest. But those lines reputed to be made by AirFlo aren't the same stuff marketed nowdays by AirFlo.

As for the cold water/warm water debate, if you are going to be using it where you said, you will want to use a warm water line. Memory won't be a problem.

------------------
Neal Gilchrist
hnealg@bellsouth.net

The Professor · 09-01-00, 09:20 PM

T.O.M.-
Those lines from Airflo were/are the subject of some serious dispute. Alledgely, they were not supposed to have been released on the market due to faults in the durability of the coatings. They looked fine out of the box but the coatings deteriorated fairly rapidly. The lines behaved well until the coatings gave out. So beware!

Airflo's current products are supposed to be amongst the finest. But those lines reputed to be made by AirFlo aren't the same stuff marketed nowdays by AirFlo.

As for the cold water/warm water debate, if you are going to be using it where you said, you will want to use a warm water line. Memory won't be a problem.

------------------
Neal Gilchrist
hnealg@bellsouth.net

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08-30-00, 09:49 AM	#1
BeeDub Native Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: happily in Panama City, FL Posts: 609	I am about to order an Okuma Sierra 8/9 reel from Worldwaters and need some advice on correct line choice. I will order an extra spool, so I am looking for 1st and 2nd choice recommendations for lines to use while fishing the Apalachicola area and Keys. Can I get by for less than $50-60 per line? Sink rate? DT or WF? etc. Thanks, folks.

08-30-00, 10:10 AM	#2
bbell Native Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,287	Buy a Scientific Angler's Bonefish taper intermediate clear line (sometimes called a slime line). I use this line for nearly all of my saltwater fishing and it even works fairly well with poppers (the intermediate sink rate isn't too fast). I would recommend that you use a sinking line in saltwater because wave action, wind, and floating grass can severely impair your control of a floating line. The clear color of the intermediate lines is a big plus for spooky fish. These lines aren't cheap, but they are worth it. For a second line, get a floating line in a fairly subdued color for use with poppers or bass flies. Again, the floating bonefish tapers are good, but you might want to get a line that is designed for bass bugs and poppers (Scientific Anglers makes one).

08-30-00, 11:45 AM	#3
Chris England Native Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 922	Remember what I said about cold water and tropic lines... memory. You may decide to use that line in 40 degree lake water for Stripers. -- tight lines

08-30-00, 11:51 AM	#4
BeeDub Native Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: happily in Panama City, FL Posts: 609	Yep, Chris. I saved the info you sent!

08-30-00, 12:13 PM	#5
bbell Native Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,287	If memory will be a problem... I have used the Striper/Bluefish line from Scientific Anglers, which is made for coldwater fishing. It handles pretty well in Florida's heat, but it does tend to tangle a little more than most lines. I also found the coating to be pretty weak, although they may have improved upon that. It is mostly a distance casting line and doesn't really allow as much accuracy as a Bonefish Taper might, but it is perfect for throwing a long line in the surf or out on Lanier. If memory is a problem, stretch your line by hand before each use. I strip out a fishable distance of line and stretch it by stepping on it (no shoes, though) and pulling the line up on either side, straightening ten feet of line at a time. Another good method (especially when wading with a buddy) is to have him hold the end of the line while you walk away, feeding line from the reel. When you get to the distance of your maximum cast, tighten up on the line and continue moving away while your buddy stands still. As the line stretches, stop and hold it in place for five or ten seconds and the memory will be gone. I don't know if this works in really cold weather but it is worth a try. It works wonders with a slimeline and allows you to get the most out of your cast. [This message has been edited by bbell (edited 08-30-2000).]

08-30-00, 10:18 PM	#6
The Ole Man Chief Financial Officer, Past Director, Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: NW Georgia Posts: 8,004	BeeDubbin I've been going on the cheap lately-so has GreglSmith. We bought some of those close out lines at $14.95 from Anglers Pro Shop. Reportedly, they are Airflow lines that had a some kind of quality problem. They are repackaged in Anglers Pro Shop bags and marked "Made in UK". Bill Hayes owns Anglerspro. He is a member of the FFF Flycasting Instructor Advisory Board and a 5 time IGFA flyrod world record holder. The ad for the lines says they orig sold for $45/55. I bought a WF7I intermediate sink, saltwater line and a WF4F. I don't see anything seriously wrong with them. One did have a little rough spot back at the end of the line about a foot from where you tie on to the backing. One had a little flat spot about an inch in from the forward end that appeared that the weave in the core had missed a thread or two-I cut that off, as well as a foot off the back of the one with the rough spot. There could be something else show up as far as the life of the coating-but you may want to try some of these. I figured $35.90 for two lines including s/h was worth a gamble. The coating on these lines is difinitely diff from what we normally see. Airflow uses a polymer coating with 5, 7 and 10 yr no crack guarantees for 3 price levels. I did read where the polymer coating and the type core found in the Airflows will not allow a grip by a nail knot very well and should use some other type of leader connection. Anglers Pro includes loop material and shrink tubing with these lines. Just FYI

08-31-00, 01:30 PM	#7
SWF Native Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Lilburn Ga USA Posts: 247	Try Cortlands 444 Ghost Tip. SWF

09-01-00, 09:20 PM	#8
The Professor Native Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Lawrenceville Posts: 320	T.O.M.- Those lines from Airflo were/are the subject of some serious dispute. Alledgely, they were not supposed to have been released on the market due to faults in the durability of the coatings. They looked fine out of the box but the coatings deteriorated fairly rapidly. The lines behaved well until the coatings gave out. So beware! Airflo's current products are supposed to be amongst the finest. But those lines reputed to be made by AirFlo aren't the same stuff marketed nowdays by AirFlo. As for the cold water/warm water debate, if you are going to be using it where you said, you will want to use a warm water line. Memory won't be a problem. ------------------ Neal Gilchrist hnealg@bellsouth.net