Floating or Intermediate

[Skip N]

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.

[Fly Aquidneck]

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.

[SAXATILUS]

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.

[Basser]

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.