Proper Line for New Rod and Reel

[Drdad1955]

Hello, This is my first post so thanks for your help


I just came from the fly fishing expo in Malboro. I am now the proud owner of a 10wt, 9ft, 4pc Elkhorn rod and a Tioga 10 regular arbor reel. I am a relatively medium to fair caster from shore or boat. What do you think about the size backing 20lb vs 30lb and whether to go 200yard vs 225 vs 250yards. my previous rod was and is an 8wt, 9ft, 2pc Orvis Silver Label which I usually fish with a 325 gr Cortland QD saltwater. I have been told that the 325 is possibly a bit much for an 8 wt, but it compensenates for bad casting at times with overload of the 8 wt and helps with a heavy fly. (or so I think?). I was thinking of using the Rio density cold water 400grain with 225yds of backing, but I am open to suggestions. I fish mostly from shore around the cape and occassionally from boat around martha's vineyard for blues, bass and occassionally albies.


Thanks Drdad1955

[Marshrunner]

I've no experience with that particular rod but regularly throw 425 and 450 gr tips on several different Sage models and the fit is good. I'd go with the 30#for backing as 20# is light for big stripers and long runs are not common.

[Ray]

I would go with a 10 weight Cortland 555 Little Tunny Fly Line with 30# Dacron backing on one spool. Then on a second* I would go with an Orvis Depth Charge 400 grain line with 30# Dacron backing. I like both lines mentioned.

* IMO the best aspect of the Tioga reel is the spare spool cost. You can inexpensively outfit the new reel with both lines.

[dlangan]

Yeah, what Ray said on the 555 Little Tunny. Great casting and seems more resistant to twisting and tangling relative to other lines I have used. I love this line!

I have a couple of Rio sink tips and can not recommend them based on my experiences. The running line twists / tangles more frequently than I like (your mileage may vary). I'm trying a 555 this spring. If that doesn't work, well I'll take Ray's advice above.

[Drdad1955]

Thanks for the input. I will look into the 555 little tunny line. Tangling is a small problem with me and it would be nice to think it was my choice of line as opposed to my casting technique. I have used the Cortland 444 325 garin on my 8 wt and liked it so the 555 sounds good. 30lb backing it is

Drdadmd

[bauerman]

I have that rod with the depth charge 400 gr Beginers can load the rod easily and with skill will throw the whole line. The Orvis Depth Charge 400gr shoots great. --127-3-

[Onshore]

I've been using 350gr. and 400gr. lines on several eight weights for a number of years.

[reefdonkey]

First of all the backing. I would go with Thirty or thirty five pound braid because
you NEVER run out of backing that way so why not ? Twenty pound Dacron will also do the trick with any fish you can possibly land on that rod. The rod would actually break before you could apply that much pressure. The problem with twenty pound Dacron is its tendency to fray rather quickly. As for the lines to use I would strongly suggest getting a second spool for your reel and then you could use an intermediate and a full sink. A second spool is almost as good as a complete new outfit in terms of increasing usability. Good luck and happy fishing.