floating linje for the beach

[scissorbill]

O.K.
I've got a versi-tip for rivers, a 1/2 dozen lines for the lakes but I want to get in to beach fishing.
My versi-tip casts well but as pointed out in another of my queiries does not cast as well as a pure (designated) line (though it's probably mostly me I'm rusty.
I've talked to several knowledgable fishers who suggest a floating line and although I have a few, is there a line out there someone would reccommend?
I've got a salt reel waiting for some backing and ................

[Troutman Clay]

Rio gold is what i just picked up and i love casting it, about 75 bucks tho.....

[TieFlier]

I have heard many good things about rio gold. I have cast it once while helping another fly fisher learn to roll cast. I really liked the line. Haven't picked one up for myself yet but I might in the next little while.

[SalaR]

I have to weigh in here and mention what I see and use. The fact is I use many lines for fishing off the beaches and typically will use a floating line for both Pink and Coho Salmon.However,over the past few seasons I have watched so many fly fishers struggle off the beaches with distance and agility that I decided to use shooting lines(Beulah Elixir 245 Grain line and clear Poly Tip with about 9' of small diameter leader material) to help casters reach their goal more efficiently and get more fish. The simple truth is "these lines simply rock!" If you want to be able to pick up your line and cast 80' without false casting then this is the way to go. The bonus is these lines are actually designed as a spey casting line so for you river fishers these will open up a whole new era of fishability. However,these will not manage very fast sinking tips and major big flies...they manage fast sinking poly tips and moderate flies with ease...
There are several other manufacturers that have lines similar to these like Vision ,out of Finland,...but all these lines are not cheap and are hard to get..so do your homework. Beach fishers have a special need when the winds do come up, we recommend to have at least a good quality #6 thru #8
C

[btree]

Ok, so what line would you recommend for casting a large coho pattern that may be several inches long - say a herring or big needle fish pattern with or without a fast sink or very fast sink tip? Or are we now venturing into the land of two handed surf rods and specialized lines?

So far I find that for up to ~size 1 patterns with smallish bead or dumbell eyes, that a #9 line on that #8 rod goes really well with mono leaders up to ~15' but I dont like it with a poly tip and I have yet to find a need for a poly tip off the beach any way. Perhaps I might just have to try out that Elixer you speak of, but I'm still loving the #9 so I might just stick with that for another few years.

I was also pondering the effectiveness of that skandi floater I just got with a two hander off the beach for big flies and also for acheiving the distances often required during coho season. I've messed around a bit with overhead casting with my current 2 hander, but I dont have the timing figured out - perhaps that "tamar" might fit the bill better? or would a surf rod be more appropriate...

If not the "tamar" then what two hander would you recommend to cover the bases for primarily winter steelheading and a bit of beach coho and a bit of river chinook action with primarily a skandi set up (snowbee 7/8 for drys and long leader weighted patterns, and also perhaps an elixer for using tips)

[Troutman Clay]

Btree
When I was fishing I used alomost solely on the beach ( exept when topwater fishing) a Cortland Hover line called, the Ghost tip I believe, and it has 33 foot sinking tip that sinks at 1ips that was perfect for me, casts really well, even in 20 kph winds and 4 foot swells on the beach. It elimated the need for heavily weighted flies with the use of the hover and a fluorocarbon leader.

I dont do much steelhead fishing, but for beach fishing I was extremely happy with it's preformance and not having to tie with beads and dumbells. I know some patterns need the weight but I modified most of my weighted patterns and that enabled me to cast easier.

Just my 2cents

[btree]

Sounds good to me there Troutman. I have some poly tips and have been neglecting them. Perhaps its time to try out the 15' clear one that I think sinks at around 1 to 1.5 ips.

Usually I try not to use much weight on my beach flies, but for steelhead it's necessary.

I'm more concerned with trying to cast a needlefish or herring pattern that, while not weighted, will be bulky and large. I've yet to be really satisfied with my casting results with with I have mentioned above despite becoming relatively proficient with hauling over the last year or so.

I see in the fishing mags people posing with nice coho on 3-5" bucktail type flies on a regular looking flyrod. Just wondering if they are doing anything special to get them out 80+ feet, or if they are just dragging the fly behind the boat...

[Troutman Clay]

Well i can get about a 60-65 foot cast with my hover tip, it has a really good sized head on it, and with a double haul i can shoot it out in about 4 false casts. As far a big patterns go, you could always go with a longer rod and a rocket tip, you'd load that sucker up and throw er way out there.

I was with a guy who was casting 4 inch bucktails on a 10' footer with no problems past 50-60 feet. And dragging a fly behind the boat is also a second way to get em when all else fails

[TieFlier]

I've done a similar thing to what btree by overlining an 8wt RPLXi with an older SA line. It shoots quite well but I'm sure there are better lines out there for this purpose. I am just not a fan of having to go and try them all out before I find the one that works the best for me. For now I'll probably stick with what I have until I see something i know is better. I landed my first pink in salt water on the fly this weekend with this set-up. The school was holding 70' from where I was standing and I was able to hit this distance with relative ease and above all speed. They were moving down the beach and I managed to get a quick long cast to the school before it disappeared.