I haven't tried the wet tip express line, but the 8 wt TFO Pro is a good rod. I like the Pro series rods and the TFO warranty is good too.
Rex
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I haven't tried the wet tip express line, but the 8 wt TFO Pro is a good rod. I like the Pro series rods and the TFO warranty is good too.
Rex
Bob,
I use a 300 grain streamer Streamer Express often on my 8wt rods, a Sage RPLX, Sage FLI, and Redington Saltwater model. Also a 30 foot T11 shooting head (330 grains), a 27 foot LC 13 shooting head (351 grains), and several fast sinking 10wt shooting heads (280 grains). When I started casting shooting heads and integrated head lines I found that I was most comfortable with 280 - 300 grain lines on my 8wts. With more experience I could handle heavier lines.
If you look at the manufacturers specifications for integrated head lines like the Wet Tip Express, Streamer Express, Rio Outbound, Teeny T or TS series, Orvis Depth Charge, Airflo Depthfinder, etc. you will find that they list recommended rod weights to match the line to. Typically you will see lines from 250 to 350 grains recommended to match an 8wt rod.
S.A. recommends that 300 gr Wet Tip Express or Streamer Express to match with an 8 or 9 wt rod or a 250 gr line to match with a 7 or 8 wt rod.
My experience and observation is that most anglers can handle 300 grain line on just about any 8wt rod if they have basic casting skills. At 350 grains, more developed casting skills are helpful. At 250 grains, the line will cast well, but may be a bit light to optimally deliver the large flies usually used for Striper fishing.
I know about a half dozen anglers that have the TFO Pro 8wt. All but one uses a 300 grain line. The other one uses a 350 grain line.
Not to get off subject of the TFO's but, I recently bought an orvis silver label intermediate shooting head. The head is rated for an 8wt but it is 38' so actually the first 30' of it is a standard weight of a typical 8wt head like you would find on a WF floating line. The extra 8' make it weigh as much as a 10wt WF head would be. It makes sense on paper and will load an 8wt well, but it is hard for me to carry that much line in the air. I can do it but it is more false casting than I care to do and some serious hauling. I can handle about 35' comfortably it's interesting how a couple of feet make such a difference. If I cut it to 35' it would be around a 9wt afraid to take out the scissors but I might just have to go for it. I actuall fish it like a normal line and make 20' cast with the end of the head partially still on the reel and it works that way as well. The heads are all over ebay for about $18..not to confuse but if you bought a 12wt head and cut off 8ft you would have a 30' 10wt head that would work really well on an 8wt. I have an LC-13 head and ended up cutting it back to about 24' (312gr) until if felt comfortable on my 8wt but it's short and the casts run out of gas, the head unrolls to quick and drops to the ground quicker than it should. Still works though and is very useable. The T-11 would get me at that weight but would be 28' so I might have to pick one up. These lead head sink like stones so just be ready to start stripping . 300gr would be perfect..
Janus
Great thread with some good info. I'm seriously looking at 8 wgts as well, the application being the mid stretch of the Delaware river. Big water & winds, and it will have to be able to handle clouser minnows. The opportunities are incredible with the kayak, and TFOs are on my short list for sure.
I have the 9' 8wt. TFO Pro and the 10' 8 wt. TFO Pro.
I also have the Sage Z-Axis 9' 8 wt.
I use the 10' rod for high stick nymphing egg patterns and beads for steelhead and big rainbows.
I use the 9' rods for swinging big articulated weighted streamers for big rainbows.
I use the 9' 8 wt. TFO Pro with a 10' Type III sink tip for swinging streamers.
I use the 9' 8 wt. Z-Axis with a 15' Type VI sink tip for deeper swinging.
I like the TFO Pro's a lot but I would not be able to cast some of the heavier lines discussed with my 8 wt. I would stay under 300 grains with a bit shorter tip with the TFO Pro. If you need a heavier line, I recommend a stiffer rod than the Pro. Remember, you've got to lift the line out of the water to cast it. A long tip makes it difficult with a more flexible rod. You may need to roll cast the line to the surface and then make your pickup. I hope you can cast some of these combos on the water to decide.
Bigfin56:
Outside of price, what differences do you see between your TFO Pro 8 wt and your Sage Z-Axis 8 wt?
Is one a stiffer rod than the other ?
The Z-Axis is stiffer in the middle third of the rod, has a faster tip and is faster overall. It's also a lot lighter in the hand. I like it quite a bit for my heavier sink tips.
I am not a fast rod guy at all. In the lighter line weights (3-5 or even 6) and with floating lines, I prefer medium action rods. But for swinging big flies with a sink tip I like a faster rod. I'll keep all three strung up if i'm in a boat. When I beach the boat, I'll grab the one that fits the water best.