Q:

I have a custom built St. Croix 7 weight (SCII blank). My brother recommended overlining with an 8 weight bass bug taper when I lived in Texas. How can I use this line in the salt? It casts poorly, too short. I now have new 7 weight forward line that I was going to sink-tip.

A:

Hi Tim,

I'm back to answer some of your questions.

First, there is nothing wrong with a blank built by St. Croix, but the 7-weight you own will never be my choice for throwing into the surf. It's not only the wrong weight, you have the wrong line. Dave your pennies and buy a good 9-weight that will help you fight Mr. Wind, your greatest adversary.

When the wind is down, the 7-weight should be just fine, but do not overline. Let me explain: there are few occasions when overlining is called for. Overlining is acceptable only when the target is within the so-called magic "30-feet" of fisher to fish. When I fish the Salt, I sometimes underline especially if the wind is up. That simply means that if I have a 7-weight rod, I typically cast a 6-weight line -- please understand that I am talking about casting an Intermediate line, not a Floater. It's easy to differentiate between WF-7F and WF-7I. The intermediate offers the advantage of offering less drag and, because it gets below the surface, it avoids wave action.

Right now, there is a great deal available from Feathercraft. Cortland has made the decision to drop the line despite the fact it is one of the best lines I've ever thrown in the salt. It is an integrated shooter/running line called the Cortland 444SL XRL. The head and belly extend about 40-feet, but the remainder, otherwise know as the running line is exposed woven mono, hence the XRL designation. The exposed running line extends the range of the cast since it possess all of the attributes of a true shooter.

If you decide to try the line, mark the point where the head meets the running line so that you can see it during the retrieve. Since you can take all or part of the head back to the reel, finding a spot on the line to begin the roll cast isn't at all difficult. Having found it, mark it! You do know, of course, that a roll cast is necessary to resurface the line; unless resurfaced, the standard cast is impossible. My roll cast is made from the 3/4 position as opposed to the classic overhead. I find it more comfortable and more effective because I can take the rod back further. You can't go wrong following Lefty's advice.

Why this line never gained the popularity it deserves, I will never understand. However, as long a few remain available, its your gain and the other fishers' loss. Go to http://feathercraft.com and hit the box called Steve's closeouts and specials ... when you hit the fly lines you will see the Intermediate XRLs listed for $30.00. For your 7-weight select a 7-weight XRL. Suggest you hurry before they are all gone.

Overlining serves no purpose at all ... unless you are lazy and/or have a good reason to not to watch your backcast...

Best of luck,

Doug

PS. In my view, the mini-tips are not a good solution in the surf. When you need a sink-tip you are far better off buying a really good one ... Check out Scientific Anglers Mastery series.

PPS. I did a series on the Shooters -- otherwise know as shooting heads. Check it out.