tropical floating flylines #7-#10

[Quicksilver]

I will be making a flyfishing trip targeting Bonefish in Andros next month. What is the opinion of the cyber community on the best tropical floating flyline?

[BobG]

I know a lot of guys aren't going to agree. But, on my past five bonefish trips I've used the same Orvis Wonderline. I usually fish an 8wt rod on bones, and overline by one. So, I'm throwing a 9wt Wonderline.
I'm not wild about this line for stripers, and larger flies. It seems to have an exagerated belly. But on bonefish, and smaller flies I find it throws excellent, and handles well in warm water.
I've experimented with a few other lines, b/c Wonderlines don't seem to have a very good reputation, so I keep trying to find a reason to dislike the line. But it's a pretty good tropical line IMHO. So much so, I carry it as a backup.

[Quicksilver]

Thanks BobG! Welcome back to the States. In the last year or two I have heard great things about the SA Mastery AST and Orvis Wonderlines. If the Wonderline work on the flats then all the better, I will get a two for one! (A line that works here and down south).

[Loopy]

I used to prefer Mastery Bonefish taper. I especially liked the slickness of the surface. I actively disliked the wonderline blue as well as the blue that SA switched to. I couldn't see them in the water.

I just bought some Rio bonefish taper. It has a very slick surface. I can't report on its fishability for a month. ;)

[ChuckD]

but haven't tried the Rio but I think they(Rio) have been making the best new lines (for stripers anyway) lately. I would call a shop and ask for feedback too(i.e. Nat or Derek at 1st Light 978-526-4477)

[jjonas]

I have been using the Rio Bonefish taper. Seems good to me but I only use it once a year. I do like it slightly better then the SA bonefish line but would be happy with that as well.

[peanuts]

So far I've tried the wonderline, Cortland Lazer Tropic and mastery Bonefish taper in the sand colour,now discontinued although you can get hold of them but discounted. Of the 3 I much prefer the Mastery slick finish casts like a dream and hard wearing.

[Smcdermott]

Anyone have any experience with the Airflow lines. I picked up a couple of last years (sand colored) models at one of the shows on the cheap. I love their striper lines and they had a more compact head which I tend to like for firing of quick casts in the wind. I am wondering if I should pick up an SA line just in case since I have heard good things about them and they have a longer head which I hear allows for a more delicate presentation. My logic now was with the shorter head I could just open my loop if its calm instead of changing lines.

Sean

[Quicksilver]

Thank you all! I owned a SA Mastery Bonefish line and liked the finish. Unfortunitely the line was not heavy enough to load the rod I was using so I never really got to use it. I am so with all of you who mention that you only use the tropical line once a year. I hope I can hit a show before I leave. I guess I will do a search on the Worcester Show tonight. Peanuts thanks for your post. It's great when an angler says, I have used x, y, and z and..... Thanks again sportsfans!

[Loopy]

I can't imagine why Mastery bonefish taper wouldn't load your rod properly. I have found them to cast pretty true but as I said the blue color is hard for me to see. I have used them in 7, 8 and 9 wt and the tarpon taper which is basically identical in a 10 wt. Otherwise they are a very easy casting line and they land as soft as any. Perhaps you should be overlining by one weight. In bonefishing this is often appropriate as you often need quick but short casts.

[Quicksilver]

I'm not saying SA is at fault. I purchased an eight weight line for use with an eight weight rod. I should have cast the line before I bought it. In the time since the purchase I have found that for me overlining the way to go when using floating lines.

[Dpollipo]

Actually, I prefer the SA Mastery Bonefish and Tarpon Tapers. I overline my Sage RPLXs by one line weight. But if you fish in the tropics only once a year and want a line that you can use just about anywhere and at any time, try the SA Mastery Bass Bug taper. I had one on my 8 weight outfit in the Bahamas for a week last year and it performed well, loading fast for close work and at distance as well. It's not a line for delicate casting but I used 10 to 12 foot leaders and that was good enough for some fine fishing.

I used that same line for largemouth in Ohio lakes and for stripers and bass in Rhode Island. If I had to have only one 8 or 9 weight forward floating line, that would be it.

[Quicksilver]

Rhode Island, yeah I've been there! Thanks for the input. At this point I think I will go with the Orvis Wonderline or SA tropical line.