Wondering what line you use on the Winston BIIX for 7wt when fishing for Smallmouth Bass … what line do you find throws these bugs and yet does not overpower the rod.
A lot of 7wt rods really require 'overlining" before they work optimally and are pleasant to use, the Sage Xi2 for instance (in my opinion) … the BIIX rods do not seem to require this overlining and sometimes work poorly if overlined much.
I have a Rio “Clouser” 7wt line and wonder if it would work well on the BIIX 9ft 7wt rod ??? Anbody know?
A lot of 7wt rods really require 'overlining" before they work optimally and are pleasant to use…
I find, … when I’m casting distance with a 7wt, I’ll UNDERline one sometimes to not OVERload the rod. Weird eh, … I guess we all have different styles and preferences.
I cast BIG flies, … mices, #4-#6 muddlers, Woolies etc, … so I figure these CAN’T be smaller than the flies you’ll use for smallies.
Normaly, … I’ll use the line designated on the rod and adjust the leader to throw bombs or turn over big dries.
I cannot recommend the Triangle Taper line for tossing big bugs…that just isn’t its forte. Any bassbug or pike line for your rod weight should do a decent job.
Dealer suggested the Clouser would be a little too heavy for the BIIX and instead suggested the SA “XXD” line, which, he described as some what of an “elongated bass bug taper” that is not as radially heavy as the Closer.
I have that rod in 6 and 8 weights and use Rio Clouser lines in the rated weights to throw typical big bass flies. The combination works well and I agree with David D, there is no need to over-line these rods at all.
[This message has been edited by David Higley (edited 22 July 2005).]
From my short experience the B2X is a rod not fitted for the fast arm swingers (tip action) as previously mentioned. I might be crazy but the Winston B2x reminds me very much of the Sage DS2 series. They both feel the same when casting. And I overline my DS2 by one weight on floaters …not sink tip or sinking. I have only lawn casted the B2x …I had a hard time with it…felt heavy…and I did not like the lightweight graphite reel seat, prefer a solid reel seat w/ two lockijng rings…the test reel (tibors) always had play in them. Just my .01 worth
As others have stated, the BIIx seems to be rated correctly for its line weight. Mine didn’t mind the S.A. GPX but for some reason seemed over loaded with the correct weight Rio Grand.
The GPX and Rio Selective Trout work quite well on the 6 weight BIIx I use for smallies and streamers but also dry fly fishing in big water or in windy conditions.
As for the S.A. XXD being pushed on you… I find it very similiar to the S.A. GPX.
The difference being a longer head for carrying more line when false casting, a very thin running line for shooting through the guides better and a greater overall length.
The running line is the biggest problem I have with it. It is so thin it doesn’t seem to float well, it hovers IN the water instead.
Why he would recommend it for your uses is beyond me. From my personal experience with the mentioned lines I would opt for the GPX or Selective Trout instead.
I haven’t fished or cast that rod, but will make recommendations based on multiple opinions posted saying that it is not suited to overlining.
I am a fan of the XXD line, but don’t think of it as an ideal line for larger flies, due to its long front taper. It casts like a dream, and mends and roll casts well for me. I am looking into purchasing a 7wt myself for similar purposes and have decided on Cortland’s PRECISION STILLWATER TROUT FLOATING line. It has a shorter front taper and is front weighted to shoot well. If you like, you could even get it in a 6.5, 7, or 7.5 weight, as they make all three in that line. Here’s a link [url=http://www.thefullcreel.com/files/index.php?id=207:b0051]http://www.thefullcreel.com/files/index.php?id=207[/url:b0051] (if you ask that retailer, he can get the odd sizes for you)
I was considering a totally different rod, the ECHO 7wt, but it sounds like line matching would be about the same for the two rods.
For a 6 or 7 wt., casting big bugs for smallies, I’d go with Cortland’s WF7F Rocket Taper. It was made for just that kind of fishing. I’m a light tackle nut but when I go on my two or three trips for steelhead every fall it’s what I use and it casts great.
P.S. Not to rain on your parade, but for smallies I can’t see going that heavy. I can see it for largemouths in weedy, snag-infested waters where they generaly hang out; but the smallies I catch here in Maine generally fight it out in rocky, clearwater lakes, and I’ve taken many up to 4 pounds with my 1 wt. casting #10,#12 and#14 wet flies. What a blast!!
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
7 weights are trout rods?Damn,and i thought 4 weights were large.I have to agree try the rio grand or the sa gpx lines.Heard a older man say one time that he compared flyrod weights to conventional rod actions,3 weight equals a ultralite,4 weight -light,5 weight-medlight,so on so forth.So that would make a 7 weight comparable to a med-hvy rod,guess you can look at it that way,i’d never use a med-hvy baitcast rod for smallmouths,maybe largemouths in heavy cover but thats another story!
I’m not endorsing overlining 7 weight rods as Holschlag does, but it’s something to think about.
He also expresses (elsewhere) the opinion that the old bass bug taper hasn’t been improved on much in recent years – for throwing bass poppers and the like.
I recently bought Tim Holschlag’s book, and it’s excellent. It’s self-published, and he sent the book out before he received my check and it got to me promptly – a nice touch.
In my opinion, the quality of the book did not suffer from the self-publishing process.
Reading his book made me realize I’ve underestimated smallmouth fishing – apologies in advance to smallie enthusiasts.
Based on what a lot of you have suggested, think I will go with a Rio Selective Trout in 7wt … I DO Believe in Overlining, when necessary, however, the Winston BIIX does not need overlining so I’ll stick with 7wt lines for a 7wt rod.
Make sense to you folks?
Ken