Newbie Question re: Fly line weight

[Vi King]

On my last trip to Canada, I got hooked on fly fishing for pike (suing a buddies overmatched 5-weight). Since then I have been honing my fly casting skills on bass and panfish near Chicago, waiting for my next trip up North. I now have a nice 9-weight set up for pike fishing, but have a question about line weight. I am looking to pick up a pike/musky taper line, and was going to order the 9-weight, but a fishing buddy said I'd be better with the 10 weight line that would load better for throwing big flies. 9 weight or 10 weight or other advise greatly appreciated.

[David Churbuck]

Go with the ten weight. I always fish up a line from my rod's rating. There are purists who will tell you to fish a 9 line on a 9 weight, but I like to get a lot of loading on my backcasts so I don't spend all day falsecasting.

[BillMichelinie]

10 weight is easier for beginning casters. After you gain proficiency, you will be able to handle the 9 with the same loading of the rod because you will be able to handle more line outside of the rod tip. Has nothing to do with being a purist and everything to do with practice.

[Quicksilver]

I was going to respond a few days ago but Davids' post pretty much wrapped up my thoughts. I have found that when I fit a floating line on a rod I almost always go one line weight heavier than is called for. I think if one is going to be casting from a platform, like the bow deck of a boat, maybe going with a heavier line might not be as important. Wading up to your waist in water trying to throw a clouser or big fly 70', one weight heavier is the way to go. Best bet of course is the empirical method, just go to the shop where you get your stuff and ask to cast both.

[docofthebay]

Some rods dont need to be overweighted such as the loomis GlX...

[CharlieP]

Vi King,

I have cast some rods that perform well with their assigned weight and others that work better lining up one size. IMHO, the best way to find out what works best on your rod is to cast both line weights. Borrow a line from a buddy or go to a reputable fly shop and they should have demo versions.

Just my two cennts.

Charlie

[Capt.ChrisLembo]

I usually go up a line weight since flatsfishing REQUIRES 1 or 2 false casts at the most.

1) Very fast Shikari 10' custom 8 wt with Monic Skyline 9 wt.
2) Rio Bonefish floating line on same rod... no need to overweight.
3) Tarpon 12 wt. Rio intermediate clear FL 12 wt & cut off 6 feet of head to better turn over larger flies.

I have combo's that work best with the rods rated line and have cut the head shorter. Once you get the head out of the tip and are into the shooting/belly section the line will cast nicely.

This same principal is acheived by the heavier weight on the overweighted line.


I would try a few rod/line combinations until you find what feels good for you. It may cost you a little....and then the manufacturer will change their lines just when you get it right.

Check out Loop's website for some very good casting info.