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Unmatched Line Weights Vs Rod Weight


BredMan

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Do any of you toss a lighter or a heavier weighted line on a specific weighted rod? Example: 4wt rod with either a 3wt or 5wt line. I haven't deviated with anything other than my 5wt rod that works real well with a 6wt line but not as well with 5wt line. Just bought a couple 4wt rods and reels w/extra spools and wondered if I should experiment with a lighter line or heavier line on them. I don't know if there would be any advantage and that's why I am asking. I'm cheap and the price of line is outrageous these days so I don't want to waste the $$ on something that doesn't work. Just trying to get some ideas on what others do.

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I have found that the Orvis lines are a little lighter in my opinion than they are rated. For example on a 5 wt clearwater rod, the 5wt wf orvis line does not seem to load the rod as well as it should, so I have over lined all my Orvis rods with one line class rating higher than the rod weight. The rods load much better and I can easily cast 25 to 30 ft further.

If you do change lines, I would never go lower in line weight because the rod will not load

A Little Rain Won't Hurt Them Fish.....They're Already Wet!!

Visit my website at..

Ozark Trout Runners

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I use the extra spools to have a sinking line but that is more for my 5 wts and larger. I also have a few spools with a shooting line on them.

A Little Rain Won't Hurt Them Fish.....They're Already Wet!!

Visit my website at..

Ozark Trout Runners

gallery4a082cb0bdef6.jpg

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I agree with the crazy guy up there.

I'm fishing a 9wt Rio Outbound on an 8wt TFO. I throw some larger flies for stripers and I feel I am able to cast them farther.

If you're going to be casting heavy rigs, I'd bump my line up. If you're going to be casting single dry flies or something to the liking, I'd keep it the same and just fish a DT line.

"Its clearly Bree time baby!"

Member: 2009 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed Czech Republic. 7th Place Team

Member: 2010 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed Slovakia. 4th Place Team

Member: 2010 U.S. Youth Fly-Fishing Team. Competed The America Cup. 4th Place Team

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I usually use my 8'6" 4wt Sage with both WF3 and WF5 line (don't have any 4wt line). Also have a 6wt Sage Launch that I throw with the WF5, I have 6wt line that came with it but don't have a spare spool to put it on. My favorite rod used to be a Browning 8' 3wt until I started fishing mostly at night and it would only cast with the WF3.

I will see which one throws best Friday night on Taney with ice on it.:cold:

F2F

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Sometimes it takes awhile find a line that really sings on a particular rod. If your assortment of lines is small, take your rod over to a reputable fly shop and cast some of their demo lines till you find what works for you. Cheers.

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Do any of you toss a lighter or a heavier weighted line on a specific weighted rod? Example: 4wt rod with either a 3wt or 5wt line. I haven't deviated with anything other than my 5wt rod that works real well with a 6wt line but not as well with 5wt line. Just bought a couple 4wt rods and reels w/extra spools and wondered if I should experiment with a lighter line or heavier line on them. I don't know if there would be any advantage and that's why I am asking. I'm cheap and the price of line is outrageous these days so I don't want to waste the $$ on something that doesn't work. Just trying to get some ideas on what others do.

When I bought my 5wt TFO two years ago the Sage representative (long story) recommended that I use 6wt line and I've never changed it out, it jusy worked with the rod and how I fish.

- Charlie

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My main rod is an old sage RPL II 9' 3wt and I have always used a 4wt line on it. This line upsizing was done at the recommendation of the owner at K & K in KC where I bought it. I have always loved this outfit.

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