False Albacore - Lines, Leaders?

[David Churbuck]

Tom,
What are your preferred set-ups in terms of lines and leaders for albies?
Thanks
DC

[Tom G.]

Tom,
What are your preferred set-ups in terms of lines and leaders for albies?
Thanks
DC

David, I have taken false albacore on floating, intermediate, and sinking lines, as well as shooting heads and combinations of each. They all can have their day. When possible, I like to have the visual thrill of having the fish attack my offering at or near the surface, so my first choice is a clear intermediate sinking line. There are several advantages to fishing this type of line. Its diameter is thinner than that of a floating line so it will handle better in windy conditions. Intermediate lines also fish just under the surface "clutter" and wave action, giving you good control over your fly. Because they stay close to the surface, intermediates are much easier to pick up and cast than a faster-sinking line.

My second line of choice would be a sinking line. When fishing from a boat, if fish are not showing or when fishing offshore rips, I start by searching deep with a fast-sinking line. Rather than a full-sinking line, I prefer a line with a fast sinking-head of about 30 to 38 feet, followed by a thin running line.

Thanks for the question,

Tom

[PhilDKreal]

Tom: do you have preferred leader lengths and tippet strengths for the different line setups you use?

[Tom G.]

Phil, with the clear intermediate fly lines you don't need a long leader, 7 to 9 feet should be fine. On sinking line I'll go shorter, about 4 feet and fish a weighted fly so that the fly and line are at the same debth. When I fished monofilament I used 12 & 15 pound tippets, now I fish strictly fluorocarbon for false albacore in 16 to 20 pound range. Good fishing.


Tom Gilmore