Fly line for surf fishing?

Mike Diakiwsky

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May 29, 2012, 9:40:25 AM5/29/12

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Hey All - I'm hoping the TPFR community can give me some advice. I recently got my hands on a 9-wt. rod and I'm looking for an appropriate fly line. I intend to fish the surf (east coast) with this outfit. I doubt I'll be using it in a boat (deeper water) very often, if at all. My folks go to Cape Cod every once in awhile and I'd like to take the rod along and see what I could hook into (stripers/blues?) Also, I make a typical trip to the beach every year with friends (anywhere between Delaware and South Carolina) and I'd like to take the rod along so I don't have to just sit on the beach and drink all day... although that's not bad either. I have no idea what I'd hook into, I just found a hell of a price on a 9-wt. and I figured it would handle a nice range of saltwater activity.

Do you think any of these sale Orvis lines are suitable? I'll basically be chucking baitfish patterns all the time. This coastal stuff is totally new to me, so please let me know if I should size up and consider a 10-wt. line. Thanks in advance for any input. And if none of these lines are suitable, just let me know. Just trying to save a buck, if possible.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=94HG
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=94HL
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=9L9T

Matt Geiman

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May 29, 2012, 3:23:34 PM5/29/12

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From my little experience in surf fishing you'll want at least a full intermediate line, and possibly a full sinking for deeper/rougher water. You should not use anything with a floating section because it will be tossed around by the waves.

As far as up-lining. I've found it to be kind of a personal preference based on how you cast. It also depends on the action of the rod, and size of flies. For example, I like to up line my 8 weight Helios(very fast action) when I'm casting big bass bugs. If you can, I'd recomend test casting some lines with a clouser tied on before buying one.

Brad Gentner

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May 29, 2012, 5:27:04 PM5/29/12

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I love my Rio Outbound. Intermediate. Super heavy weight forward. One false cast and I can shoot nearly the whole line out there.

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Jeff Silvan

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May 31, 2012, 9:39:07 AM5/31/12

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I don't really know about the fishing conditions in Delaware and SC, but while living on the Cape, I only used a floating line or very slow sinking intermediate when fishing from shore. It's tough to say which to buy if you'll only buy one, because it'll heavily depend on where on the Cape you're fishing since the conditions vary so greatly. You aren't often getting into deep water when surf fishing, so there will be two main scenarios. The stripers and bluefish will be breaking at the surface and you'll toss a surface fly, or they'll be near the top of the water column and you'll throw a clouser, sand eel, etc. It'll be weighted and it'll be easy to get down to the right depth anyway. Of course, there will always be exceptions, but in my experience, that covers you in 95% of the shore situations I fished.

Scientific Anglers does make a great saltwater specific line in floating, sinking, and intermediate. It's called the Mastery Saltwater Striped Bass Taper Fly Line. It'll be good for fishing the bulky flies you usually deal with for stripers. I'd also recommend the Orvis "Saltwater All-Rounder WonderLine" (a floating line) which is on sale right now for $23, but they don't have 9-wt available.

On Tuesday, May 29, 2012 9:40:25 AM UTC-4, Mike Diakiwsky wrote:

Mike Diakiwsky

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Jun 1, 2012, 10:31:06 AM6/1/12

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Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'm heading to the shore later this month, and I can't wait to wet the line. Your opinions are a huge help.

Richard Farino

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Jun 1, 2012, 12:55:42 PM6/1/12

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I didn’t get to chime in here. Considering I’ve spent a lot of my time in NY surf fishing, there are a few things you should know:

- The type of surf you’re fishing will dictate the lines. If it’s a heavier surf or with enough wave action to affect your fly line, you’ll need a fast sinking fly line. As the waves kick back along the shoreline, you want the sinking portion to cut THROUGH the waves as you strip your fly back to shore. A floating line or even an intermediate line will be affected by wave action and will pile it all back on your feet as you try to strip.

- Bring a stripping basket. This is a must. If you can’t find one, make one with a wash tub and 2 tie-down bungee cords – you can get these cheaply from the hardware store.

- Depending on how and where you’re fishing, know the tides. Most stripers and bluefish bite well (and hard) on a moving tide, but if you show up on a tidal grass flat somewhere to fish shrimp patterns to stripers patrolling during a flood tide and the tide is going out, you’ll have to wait another 12 hours until it’s high again. This is also important so you don’t walk out on a rock jetty or island during low tide and get stuck as the tide comes back in.

- Know the area, and know your limitations. Safety first! If you’re fishing at night, bring a flashlight or headlamp!

- Wearing studded bottoms. Whether it’s studded rubber, or studded felt, or even big jetty cleats, make sure you have them. Surf and shoreline rocks are slippery.

- Bring a pair of good pliers instead of a cheap pair of nippers. Trying to get a popper out of the mouth of a 10lb. Mr. Yelloweyes (bluefish) is not a task made for your fingers unless you want to lose one. It also serves as a nipper, debarber, fly trimmer and won’t rust after 1 trip.

- Bug dope & sunblock (or Buffs and sun-protective clothing and sunblock combined) – wear them.

- Sunglasses – obvious, but people forget.

Gotta run – if I forget anything I’ll write more.

R

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street 2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314