So goes the addiction

[Coastrider]

Well, i have picked me up an 8wt sage launch so i can fish salmon without stressing my 6wt anymore. thing is , now i need a reel and line. I will be fishing pinks,coho, chinook and chum. We fish from Nanoose to Nile and the big/little Q. Had no luck reaching the coho off the shore last year but dont have the $ to get into spey gear. hopefully going to an 8wt, i can get that extra few feet of distance i couldnt get with my 6wt. It'd be great if you guys/girls had some good advise or experience with the launch and what is a good choice of lines.

[josh]

hey coastrider
i had that rod paired with a rio 8 wt versi-tip. i might cost a few more bucks but well worth it, i covers all fish situations. besides you got a smoke'n deal on the rod. enjoy it!

Josh

[Coastrider]

thanks Josh, yes i will be happy thats for sure. Thanks again for the good deal. Ed

[andy.larkin]

Versi-tip's can get you to where you need to be, but may leave your arms tired after a day of chucking 80+ footers on the beach. If distance is your concern, you may want to consider a shooting head/poly leader system. It's cheaper than a versi-tip, and will get you to where the fish are without leaving your arms too sore at the end of the day.

[EricNotTheRed]

For your reel, you might want
To look at the Lamson Konic 3'.5. It goes for a pretty cheap $150.

The bearing and drag are the exact same parts as on Lamson's $650+ ULA series. Fully sealed, maintenance free, and a very smooth drag.

The difference is that the frame on the Konic is die-cast rather than machined. From what I've read, it is still quite durable.

I plan to get one for my next trip.

Note: I have no affiliation with Lamson. I have also not owned this reel. I'm just passing on my research and what I've seen playing with them in the store. YMMV.

[stevil]

I casted my girlfriend's Sage Launch 8wt with a Cortland 8wt, 15 foot intermediate sink tip (forget the model name, but it's sold at Canadian Tire). It was a really good match for the rod, got some great distance, and the sink rate is perfect for the beaches. I also tried a S/A Mastery wet tip, type III 8wt, Cortland 444sl in 7 and 9 weights floaters, and was not very impressed, although the girlfriend favours the S/A line. If I can find time, I have a Snowbee XS 8 weight floater, and a Rio 7 weight nymph line, t-11 and t-8 shooting heads, and a shooting head I made from a 10 weight floating double taper line (all cut to match my 9'6" RPL 8 weight). I may be able to test these out and report back, time and permission allowing.

[stevil]

Went to the park today and played with the Launch. Not really a fan of casting my shooting heads with it. The 7 weight nymph line was pretty fun, but I was really pleased with the Snowbee line on the Launch, the only source of dissapointment was not bringing my RPL and GLoomis 9 weight to really give it a good test.

[SearunSimpson]

I just got back from fly fishing in Hawai'i for bonefish with my 8wt and was able to cast pretty good with a WF line, but with with the winds that could come up, I found that a shooting head system helped a lot on the day that was a little breezy. With a single hand rod and the shooting set up, I could easily punch 60 feet or so in windy conditions. I know this would not have been possible with a standard WF. I fly for coho out here and I know the winds can sometimes pick up just like there.