best uk floating saltwater fly line ?

[dorsetdarren]

hi im a new swff and after being messed around for 3 mths (2 wks they promised) by fishtec waiting for the new 40+ i finaly had enough. can anyone suggest a good floating 8 wt salt line to match a 8wt loomis glx crosscurrent.i dont mind importing if i have to.is snowbee xs coldwater any good ? should i look at rio or cortland

[saltydawg]

Just my tuppence worth Dawg

For UK I think you will get much more use out of an intermediate line or a ghost tip. Personally I like a clear intermediate.

One of the most popular is the 444SL Clear Intermediate or Ghost Tip.

This might help. www.ukswff.co.uk/review1.htm

[Gonzo]

I'll second the Dawg there.

But to answer your question - for a WF floating line - I use either the S.A Mastery saltwater line or a Cortland Lazer 444 (NOT the tropical versions). Both are just fine for the U.K

[jrt]

Darren, most 'Cold Saltwater' tapers have a severe short taper to carry very large flies but I'm un convinced these are needed in the UK. I have used a few of these lines from SA, Airflo etc but have been more than happy with a regular Snowbee XS WF floater this season.
Any decent WF line will do. If it has a very thin or long tip then cut it back. Others love the Cortland 444SL in floater and Ghost-Tip. If its very windy, choppy or fishing surf switch to an standard WF Inter. I personally dislike the 40+/integrated head lines, more disadvantages than advantages. I use WF8 for flies upto 1/0 and a WF9 if I'm using larger/heavier flies.

Cheers

JRT

[MJB]

I had the Snowbee XS coldwater floater and it's an ok line, but switched to the Cortland 444sl which is better IMO. Like the others I would favour a 'ghost-tip' or intermediate.

[dorsetdarren]

thanks for the response guys ,ok a 444 sink tip looks like the one . i will ues a 8 wt , would this double up as an ok pike line ? if so what size fly would it turn over, would it handle a pike bunny ? also 444sl does not state saltwater use ,will it last ?

[jrt]

Darren

If you are throwing large pike patterns on a 8wt rod you would be better off overlining the rod with a 9wt line. The heavier line will help carry the larger flies.

[MrCrabtree]

I'm new to the salt as well, but was reccomended the Rio Mainstream saltwater line. At £29 its cheaper than some, and it really does shoot well & copes with the wind. Its one I can happily recommend.

[kevzim]

I think i read something last month about Cortland releasing a "Pike Taper" 444... might be well worth investigating, but I have mislaid the mag with the ad in!
Anyone got any detail?

[dorsetdarren]

i am also thinking of a home made shooting head line with an intermediate head attached to rio braided monofil running line. is this recomended ? are thay difficult to make and balance to suit my rod? any one out there use this system ? how do you get on with it , any major disadvantages ? cheers for the responses they are really helpful

[jrt]

Darren, stick to full WF lines for sw stuff. Unless you are fishing deep water for pollock etc. Casting SH in anything other than tail wind is a pain and you have little line control. If you have the stuff to make SH's already then give them a go, otherwise buy a standard WF inter. Just my view.

[Gonzo]

dorsetdarren said:

i am also thinking of a home made shooting head line with an intermediate head attached to rio braided monofil running line. is this recomended ?

Braided mono is about the least likely running line to tangle on you, but it still will and quite often too. It also traps sand particles, within itself, and this can cut your fingers as your retrieve the line over them.

[freefall]

I use a Cortland 444 SL 8# which I bought on e-bay for £20.00.

Best line I have cast with my rod and the coating doesn't seem to go off after a bit of use.

[Allrounder]

dorsetdarren said:

i am also thinking of a home made shooting head line with an intermediate head attached to rio braided monofil running line. is this recomended ? are thay difficult to make and balance to suit my rod? any one out there use this system ? how do you get on with it , any major disadvantages ? cheers for the responses they are really helpful

I'm pretty new to SWFF so I'm still very much on a learning curve like you!

I use intermediate and ultra fast sink shooting heads made from cheap mill end lines with braided mono as the running line and I can honestly say that I have had no more tangles with braided mono than I do with the ultra thin running line on the Snowbee XS floater line I use for my reservoir fishing.

I think the secret is to look after your running line.

After every couple of trips or when it starts to tangle, simply remove your line from your reel onto a line winder then remove all the kinks before placing it back on your reel.

Works for me!

Allrounder ;D