I have a 3/4wt rod, 7'. I have 4wt line on it and I like it alot. I was wondering if I put 3wt on another spool, would it not cast as far? I would like to use it for bluegills and trout.
Mary
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I have a 3/4wt rod, 7'. I have 4wt line on it and I like it alot. I was wondering if I put 3wt on another spool, would it not cast as far? I would like to use it for bluegills and trout.
Mary
Greater line weight does help for stronger wind but does not mean that it will cast farther than a lower line weight. It is easier to cast a 5wt. in stronger wind than a 3wt. for instance but both should be able to cast equal distance with little or no wind force. If your rod is rated for a 3/4wt. then it should cast either of those lines equally well. Some folks like the greater line weight of the two line rating so that the rod loads faster. By the same token but against the manufacturer's rod rating, some folks like to use one line weight higher than what the rating is for the rod so that the rod will load the line even faster for a faster cast but it also can overstress the rod and to me is not a good idea. It is best to use the manufacturer's line ratings on the rod rather than risk damage to the rod. Lines come in types. For instance, a WF type is a weight forward and helps with casting larger flies and may respond better in stronger wind since the weight of the line is forward in the tip section. A DT type or double taper helps with casting lighter flies like dry flies and is used for quieter presentations for spooky fish but would be a poor choice in strong wind since the weight of the line is in the midsection (tapered at the both ends). A L type or level line has its weight equally distributed throughout the line or leveled and is supposed to be an all purpose line but in reality has deficiencies for both of the above line types, being neither able to handle large flies or able to present lighter flies quietly. But the level line can be used where neither of those deficiencies are important (medium to small flies for less spooky fish). At least this is my take and experience on standard line types and they all have their place and purpose. There are also specialized types beyond the standard types, like Bass Bug Taper, Steelhead Taper, Pike Taper, Saltwater Taper, Bonefish Taper, Tarpon Taper, Redfish Taper, etc.
Then there are shooting heads, intermediate lines, sinking lines, sink tips, and so on. I don't want to get into the subsurface lines. Like the different floating lines and types, they all have their place for different situations, purposes, and preferences.
I went out yesterday and caught some gills on small bug. If I use 3 wt, is there less "spash"? I can get some RIO trout DT floating for $30. I just don't know if it is worth it for the fish I fish for. I only trout fish 3-4 times a year. I fish for bluegill/crappie 2-3 times a week.
Thanks for info.
Mary
Yeah, it's a lighter line so there will be less splash. It's like casting a 1/32 oz jig versus a 1/16 oz jig (although the weight differences are probably not that great.)Quote:
Originally Posted by bluegillfisher
Rio makes great lines, but if the 4wt works well, why change?
will you have an appreciable less splash? probably not. Your 4wt line is only driving your cast further. An old secret to extending your cast and/or fully loading the rod was to put on the next heaviest line weight. Plus it allows for heavier flies.Quote:
I have a 3/4wt rod, 7'. I have 4wt line on it and I like it alot. I was wondering if I put 3wt on another spool, would it not cast as far? I would like to use it for bluegills and trout.
Mary
Less splash, yes, but negligible (Not significant or important enough to be worth considering; trifling). If the fish were not spooked by the line I was using and I was catching fish, I would not fret about getting or need another line unless I just wanted a backup line to the one I had and it was good deal. I would stick with the 4wt. line unless the fish are noticeably affected by the 4wt. line I was using.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluegillfisher
Either a 3wt. or 4wt. line should cast equally well on the rod you are using and the 4wt. line will not cast farther than the 3wt. line or vice versa (unless wind force is a factor so the 4wt. line would perform marginally better) even though the 4wt. line will load the rod faster and allow for a faster cast (line delivery). I would not recommend using any line higher than the manufacturer's line rating on the rod as this might damage the rod.
Thanks guy, I'll wait on getting new line.
Mary
Don't worry about the "splash" from the line its how well you present the fly and leader.
This topic has me excited about finally getting my new reel and 4 wt line this Tuesday (I hope). Will be putting it on my new 4 wt rod and giving it all a try. Been fishing 6 and 8 wt's.
i use cheeep flyrods (eagle claw mostly) i use 8,9,10,and 11 WT DT-F on these rods.
the heavy line really loads up the 6.5 and 7 foot rods and gives great line speed.
i fish chicot lake and it has a lot of timber ,so you have to roll cast,no double hauls there.
i haven't had a problem spooking fish with the heavy line ,of course chinks and gills are not trout.
You're using an 11wt on those rods? The line's got to cost triple what the rod costs! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter
i buy my line on ebay ,that 11 weight cost me twenty two bucks + shipping it is an orvis line,.,i use DT so i get two lines.Quote:
Originally Posted by deathb4disco
i am useing the 11 weight on an eagle claw featherweight seven foot rod,and it works well.
i have been fly fishing for 50 yrs. now and through trial and error found that this over weight line works great for roll casting in timber .
although i must admit that the 11 weight is about all the rod can handle it does work great for me.
deathb4desco
i have paid more for line then i have for a rod,but i have found that a good line can make a cheeeep rod perform.
I agree completely. I overline some of my rods, too. Like you say, it works really well for short casts and roll casts.Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter
$22 is an incredible price for an 11wt Orvis line. (It's a good price for any line.) Did you get it from an ebay store or just a private seller?
i looked the 11wt up on my ebay account,i was wrong .my winning bid 14.99 +5.00 shipping. the line is orvis generation 3 DTF 11 WT.
you are right it was a good deal,the deals are there on ebay ,you just have to spend the time and effort to find them and watch the bidding.
i bought two rolls of orvis 10 WT_DT_F, last year for 22 bucks +shipping that was an even better deal.
it is best to set up a pay pail account,a lot of sellers won't take payments unless you have one.
death b4 disco
i sorry i forgot it was a bid to a seller,the ebay stores prices are what you would pay at a fly shop in most cases,to high for me.
Where do you guys come up with this stuff.....I owned a small outfitter service and was a fly fishing guide/instructor for years....you can either downsize or up size one line weight either way....a 6wt rod will be efficient with either a 5 wt line or a 7 wt line depending on what your trying to achieve. Outside of that range you began to compromise the integrity of the rods taper and your casting will be flat and yes you will pro ably splash the water. A good 9ft 6 weight rod is idea for pan fish and small bass....a 7 wt for heavier bass and cover. And your right...a good line can make a cheap rod perform as long as your leader is right,
well i have been fly fishing for 51 yrs.,as i do not use high dollar rods(eagle claw feather-lite series 6.5 & 7 foot,a rod that cost around $25).i have found with the cheaper rods loading up these rods with heavy line makes them cast much better.Quote:
Originally Posted by vhouston2
i do not do much creek fishing most of my fly fishing is done under timber,in lakes here in louisiana,and roll casting is the norm.
i too have guided and can understand your question (where do we get this stuff) trial and error over 50+ yrs of fly fishing timbered lakes.
right now i have have five rods in my boat with line weight running from an 8WT-DT-F through 11WT-DT-F,on 6.5 and seven foot rods.
as for splash i can lay an 11 WT down without splash, i am fishing gills and chinks not brook trout.take a look at some the fish pictures i have posted, i did not scare those fish to death with that heavy line i caught 'em.
thanks for your post and i hope i have made some sense .
I typically don't upline or downline that much. It just depends on how big a fly I'm using and how far I'll be casting. I think you should just do what works for you. I've read about how the Italians underline their rods substantially (like putting a 1wt line on a 5wt rod.) It works for them.
shooter, WELL SAID, WELL SPOKEN.
Roll casting up in timber, especially cypress, is a skill set that very few master. You just gave a great class on fishing in timber, and some want to argue your technique rather than contemplating how a proven system is set-up. "You can lead a horse to water", but you can't teach it to fish.
boatstall
Shooter, I knew when I posted that reply it would be taken out of context......yes roll casting in general is a specialized style of fly casting and over sized lines would be the norm rather than the exception (I'm no stranger to fly fishing for bass in heavy timber and brush)....I was trying to help the average guy out there just beginning to fly fish for pan fish, trout, or other freshwater species where up sizing or downsizing would not be advisable when learning to cast effectively or correctly which can take some fishermen years to find their rhythm. There are no hard fast rules when it comes to fly fishing and alot of it boils down to specific conditions and personal style. For example: drift fishing from a boat often calls for full flex rods with drastically undersized or over sized lines to aid in mending the line behind the fly to achieve dead drift depending on current; or a dedicated streamer fisherman who might prefer a fast action cannon with an over sized line to punch those big flys thru the wind. There are rods on the market (and yes they are usually expensive) that are so well designed that even a complete novice could roll cast with relative ease or launch a big dry or popper 40 or 50ft. Wasn't trying to step on toes guys and I'm sure you fly fisherman down in Louisiana are great innovative fly casters.....I simply wanted to help the new guys......so I'll stick by my guns on my original statement.
vhouston2
no offence taken man,it is obvious you know fly fishing,there are not a lot of people that fly fish like i do ,and it is not for everyone.
i do love catching big chinks and gills on my six weights this time of year,when water levels are low and clear,the fish do get spookie. a six weight and a 4lb tippet is the norm.
thanks for your post and please keep sharing your info and experience with us
it is obvious we share a passion for flyfishing.
gators can't climb trees