Floating or Intermediate
 

In the previous thread i started i asked what some good floating lines were since i was looking for a setup on my 7wt. But what do most of you guys use for fishing the surf or in in bays, Floating lines or Intermediate? I've used an intermediate on my 9wt for a couple years wich i do like using. But i also like the ease of picking a floater off the water. So what do you guys use and prefer?

I use an intermidate line for most of my fishing which is on the Flats of Monomoy. FishHawk

I prefer to use a floater so I can manipulate the line and present the fly to the fish in as natural a state as possible. I can also keep the surf from controlling the line thru mending whereas with an intermediate its strip like cazy to keep control of the fly. I do use an intermediate early and late in the year when the fish are feeding really deep, but even then I would rather fish the floater with some lead core or T-14 in the leader to sink the fly faster. Just my $.02. Ron

Buy a cheaper reel and get 2 spools instead of 1 and never debate "floating or intermediate" ever again. ;)

They both their uses. And if you ever get on a boat or kayak you're really going to want a fast sinking line too.

I always carry at least 2 spools. From shore I typically go armed with a floating line and an intermediate, from the boat I usually load up a fast sink on my spare spool as well as my intermediate. Use loop to loop connections for backing and flylines and you can tweak your line selection prior to a trip in about 5 minutes. I've had flylines munched by blues and props on several occasions, with two spools you'll also have some redundency.

Skip, If you are fishing in any kind of current from shore a floater is the only way to go imo. Once your line sinks below the surface you have zero control over what it does. If you need to get deeper looping on sections of lead core and /or adding split-shot should be all you will ever need from shore. A multi tip line is another option. I have the airflo wich is a floating running line with 4 interchangable 12' tips that are loop to loop, and go from floating to fast sink and you would swear you are casting a full line. Your flies are on the way

How about line weight on the floaters. Should i go up a weight in my line? Or will a 9wt floater be fine on my 9 wt rod? With the intermediate i use i'm a weight higher and it feels nice. Not sure on the feel of the floating line though. Is it about the same?

I don't pay much attention to what the rod says. I go with what works. Some people will say if you "overline" a rod you are trying to make up for a flaw in your casting stroke. When my 8wt throws a 10 or 11 like a rocket I am ok with my flaws. Some rods work great with different size lines and some dont you have to experiment. I have floaters from 8 to 12 if you ever want to try some different size lines let me know.

Yeah i'm not the greatest caster in the world so i like to feel the rod load with a heavier line. I have couple cheap lines i picked up that just dont feel right when matching the rod to line weight. I'm going to try the 9 wt Airflo cloldwater on my 7wt to start. If that feels nice i'll get a floater for my 9wt also. Guess I just have to experiment a little.

I have a couple rods in the 8-10 weight group that I use different reels on with lines up to 11 weight. I sometimes thrown the 11 weight line from an 8 weight. It all depends on the conditions as to what combo I set up. All reels have floating or multi tip lines.

I know what you say when you refer to "They" stating that upping the line (I don't consider it overlining) is done to compinsate form casting flaws of inability. So be it. I have seen guys with perfect loops do just that. cast perfect loops without bending the rod with anything other than a fish. I know I catch fish and I think that there is just as much importance on the way a rod "puts it to" a fish as he way it casts. I was lucky enough to see and participate in a demonstratin on fly line casting. Using only the upper half of a 6 foot spinning rod, running the line through the gfuides and leaving the reel on the ground, I was able to through a 6 weight line all the way across the back yard. I was casting at least 50 feet. All technique. Using the length as an extention of the rod, I could see and feel the line. I also put the fly reel on a 6 foot spining rod and the whole line could be thrown.

I don't put ANY weight on a rods rating as stamped. I throw a line on and try it. I will usually try up to three lines up. and in a few cases I have gone down.

I have a 4 peice Loomis GL3 t\in an 8 weight that I love to fishish with an 8 weight intermediate line. It is all how it feels to ME. I know it will feel to you!

Grab all your rods and try different lines. If you don't have the lines available. I am sure your local fly shop will allow you to use one of they're loaded demo reels.

As for the origional question... I prefer floating. I hat using a stripping basket and only really use them on the rocks.. I carry sinking heads and split shot if I need the depth.

Thanks for allowing me to ramble.

I here ya about the rod putting it to the fish, thats what I love about my stick, the rods got the B#&#s to whip big fish quickly, IMO its the only rod out there truly designed with surf fishing in mind. Can't wait to put a 12wt on it this year to "flick" some 12" menhaden flies out there.:btu:

I also use a floater most of the time for Bluefin that are surface feeding when on a boat. If you blow the cast or don't get bit they are easier to pick up and recast.

I use a Floating line most of the time. I sometimes use a intermediate tip on a multi-tip line. I have used split shot on my leader if I want a little depth. I hate striping baskets.

I use an intermediate for my go-to line while wading. Occasionally I use a floater or full-sinking line for specific applications, but the intermediate is my workhorse.
With poppers or sliders, Just start your retrieve as soon as the fly hits the surface. It will work those surface flies just fine.
If you need to get down a little deeper, just give it some time to sink before you start stripping.
The intermediate will also throw better in the wind and while tossing larger flies. It is more dense, and provides less wind resistance.
I believe that the first saltwater line you should buy if you are going to be fishing from shore or waders is an intermediate. Then, you can diversify if you find the need. If you are going to be fishing shallow flats a lot, you may get a floater. If you will be fishing deep rips, get a full-sinking line.

There was a time when rods were listed with 2 or 3 different line weights,though manufactorers don't do this any more(Albright just started to do so),most rods will throw heavier or lighter lines.In the eyes of the rod sellers it pays to tell people you need different weight rods for every fish or condition you encounter.:hs: