trackerz
New Angler
- Total Posts : 45
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2009/02/24 10:16:35
- Status: offline
3 wt Fly Line ?
I have a 7' 3 wt that I picked up overseas a few years ago sitting in the rod tube. I want to set it up for bluegill fishing in the local ponds. Need some suggestions for a line to stick on it without busting the bank. Casts will not be overly long. I usually throw a mini popper with a small weighted spider off the dropper.
|
go-n-fishn
Avid Angler
- Total Posts : 225
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2002/01/14 12:18:16
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/18 09:11:01
(permalink)
Cabela's has a Prestige WF & DT 2-10 wt. for $29.99. You may want to go to a 4wt. line it will load the rod better. A 3wt for fishing ponds might be a hand full especially on a windy day. My choice would be a double taper then when one end wears out you just turn it around and use the other end. The line makers like to push weight forwards -- sells more lines that way.
There will be days when fishing is better than ones optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home. **Roderick Haig-Brown
|
KJH807
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 4863
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/11/26 19:16:17
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/18 09:20:34
(permalink)
|
Cold
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 7358
- Reward points: 0
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/18 10:05:10
(permalink)
I've got an AirFlo Ridge line for my 7'-9" 3 wt. Once you get about 10-15' of line out, it handles beautifully. For longer casts, it lifts off the water smoothly and flies through the guides. I have it tipped with a furled leader and 5X tippet and its ideal for trout & bluegill. No, its not too good casting straight into a gusty wind, but if you can show my the moderate-fast 3 wt setup that can cast 40+ feet into strong wind and lay down silently...well...I might have to add another setup to the arsenal.  In short: casts into the wind are not what a 3 wt should have to do. 
|
casts_by_fly
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 671
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2000/10/18 14:07:26
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/18 12:48:46
(permalink)
if it is just for bluegills in the ponds, then I'd pick up a cheap WF4 and cut the tip back by about 4'. You'll only be using the front 10-20' at any given time and the extra weight will help load the rod and turn over the flies. Any cheap line will do duty for gills, so go to the local fly shop and see what they have in a discount bin.
Thanks
Rick
|
eyeofhorus
Avid Angler
- Total Posts : 189
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/03/20 13:46:10
- Location: Waterford, Pa
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/18 13:02:15
(permalink)
I agree with casts, go with a stiffer 4 wt. I would go with a cortland or sci angler 4 wt. Rio lines tend to get alittle soft in warmer weather. Trim a foot off the front and see how it casts the biggest fly you would use. Then cut the line back more if need be. -Jay
post edited by eyeofhorus - 2009/05/18 13:03:04
|
trackerz
New Angler
- Total Posts : 45
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2009/02/24 10:16:35
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/18 13:34:11
(permalink)
Can you explain whay I would cut of around 4' of the line?
|
Cold
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 7358
- Reward points: 0
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/18 14:10:18
(permalink)
6" to a foot, they were saying. I think its to improve the working taper for short casts.
|
eyeofhorus
Avid Angler
- Total Posts : 189
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/03/20 13:46:10
- Location: Waterford, Pa
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/19 11:01:25
(permalink)
Right, if you cut off some of the thinner front taper of the 4wt. line it will give the taper over all a shorter, more aggresive head, which is what you want for casting wind resistant flies, like poppers, with smaller lines wts., like a 3 or 4 wt. Of coarse, everything depends on the fly line taper to begin with. Some companies make bass lines with short, heavy front ends but they start out with at 6 or 7 wt. line so if you want to use a 3 or 4 wt. rod and line you'll need to do some experimenting and trim up the line.
-J
|
casts_by_fly
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 671
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2000/10/18 14:07:26
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/19 15:39:55
(permalink)
No, I was saying 4', aka 48".
Most lines have a thin level section for the first foot before the start into the taper. For the most part, 1' of level plus another 10' of taper until you hit the belly. If you trim 4' it will put you just in front of the belly with a little of the taper.
Of course before you cut it, cast it with the flies you plan to fish. If it doesn't turn them over (assuming the leader is stiff enough) then trim a foot. Try again.
Thanks
Rick
|
duncsdad
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 515
- Reward points: 0
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/20 07:03:04
(permalink)
Casts,
Are you back in the US?
How's Rachel and Roxy?
Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion
|
casts_by_fly
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 671
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2000/10/18 14:07:26
- Status: offline
RE: 3 wt Fly Line ?
2009/05/20 13:54:02
(permalink)
No, still over here. Rachel is in the US at the moment because her mom went into the hospital (she is doing better now). I won't be back in the US for a few more years. Next trip home is September for a wedding, then again in October for the same.
Roxy is good. She gets her runs out in the field and chases birds and hares. She's gotten a lot steadier in the blind when we're looking for pigeons. Now I need the fields to be cut so we have some areas to shoot over.
Thanks
Rick
|