8 Weight Advice

[david king]

I just purchased a 8 weight Scott S3s and I had a chance to give it a try yesterday on the River using a borrowed reel. I was using a Cortland Lazerline a 9 foot 1X superstrong leader and a number 2 and 4 Clouser minnows. I was considering using the Rio Clouser line and maybe a Versa Tip setup when my reel gets here. The leader I was using didn’t work very well I needed something thicker. Anybody have any advice as far as lines and leaders or leader formulas for big heavy flies for tailwater stripers.

[Bob Riggins]

For saltwater flats fishing, I use a three section leader on my 8wt when I use a floating line.

[Mike Anderson]

For tailwater Striper I use a 7-10wt Fast action Broomstick/rod, Orvis Wonderline Depth charge 350-500 grain integrated shooting head line.
For a leader I use 3′ of 50# mono joined to my fly line with an Albright knot and a 3′ piece of 20# Fluro attached to the 50# with an another Albright knot. For the 8wt I would strongly recommend the 300 to 350 grain with a 30′ head. It’s the cats meow once you master casting it without stepping on your running line… ::) This advice is only good if you are fishing from a boat or the bank as casting this line while wading is next to impossible.

Mike

[david king]

Thanks for the advice guys! If you were wading Mike what sinking line would you use? I was looking at the

[Mike Anderson]

I have used one multi tip line on a 6wt and I absolutely hated it. It seemed like the hinge point was always in the way.
The best solution for wading and sinking lines would be to invest in an LL Bean plastic stripping basket. The bottom line is you have to keep the running line out of the water if you plan to get much distance with your casts. The norm cast for a line like that is 60+’.

[Carter Simcoe]

DMK I think these guys have allready given you sound advice but I want to talk to Mike for a second.

[Mike Anderson]

Carter I’ve tried a multitude of contraptions, belts, and baskets, and nothing worked as good as just dealing with it on the floor. My boats have decent clutter free casting decks plus I switch from the left to right side of the boat alot and this is a problem with a stationary basket. Not to mention that since I’m on a tight budget my boats are small so deck space comes at a premium. In the summer I just go barefoot and it isn’t as big a problem. But when I’m in wading boots I admit it, I step on my line and I’ve ruined some lines by doing it.

[Carter Simcoe]

well, yeah at this point you wouldn’t find me spending $185 on a line management device either, I’d be making something.

Actually I made a new one for use in my kayak recently.

[Mike Anderson]

You know come to think of it nothing I tried had the fingers and there is something to be said for those. I can defiantly see how they would help manage the loops. Now you got me thinking. Hmmm, might need a little mind altering to figure this one out. I’ll be back later.

[Carter Simcoe]

Yeah dude, the basket itself is okay concept but its really the fingers that make the whole thing work if you ask me.

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