Living at latitude 8, I’ve been told that I should use tropical fly line on all of my reels. I’ve heard that the softness/subtleness of regular line won’t cast as well in hotter climates.
But, it sure does get hot in Virginia (where I’m from) and I’ve never had problems with line going through the ferrules.
Thanks,
Dave
khoa-sok;
Nor I here in South Central Tennessee. I do have SA SharkSkin line on both my ZXL Sage 3 wt. and Z Axis Sage 5 wt… Love 'em! Some say that they are noisy going through the guides but I’m usually so keyed in on where I want the cast to go that I don’t even hear it!
The ‘core’ is stiffer on tropical lines. It does help. These lines were developed for hot water and still stay proper.
South Louisiana counts as tropics.
No special line required here.
Thanks for all of your speedy replies.
What I’m thinking about is getting a 3 wt outfit to catch some of the more unique creek/river fish here in Thailand. It would be fun on a light rod. Any suggestions for a relatively inexpensive outfit would be appreciated too.
They are not special, they are just designed for the tropics. I suppose you could fish with just about anything.
It’s my understanding that tropical lines are bit stiffer. Hmm, I don’t see a tropical 3 wt, so I reckon I should try the normal stuff. 
Thanks,
Dave
I have fished “Northern” lines in “Southern” waters and found that they do become like spaghetti. I tropical line will cast better. I think anything will work, buty some better than others. Use what you have and when it comes time to replace look for a tropical line. They are available at the same price so why not!
jed
If it works, why worry about it? You should be able to tell if a line is getting too soft and sticky.
The bad thing I found when using normal stuff in extreme hot climate is it knots up much easily than a tropical line or vice versa. Can be a problem when making long casts but if you are staying within 30 feets then you be fine.
Thanks buddy… the temperature here is always between 85 and 95 degrees, so not too extreme.
Why would you “rather be in Ohio than WV?” If I could have found work in WV, I might not have moved to the other side of the planet.
For an inexpensive 3 wt I would try BassPro White River models.
TFO tends to be too soft
Cabelas just feel like they couldn’t make up their mind
Scientific Anglers are stiff not fast
Reddingtons are okay
Everything else seems to cost twice as much.
Thanks Bob, I took a look at the Bass Pro Shop’s rods and there are about three that appeal to me. The prices are certainly nice.
There’s a Bass Pro Shop in my hometown of Hampton, Va too.
Thanks,
Dave
They don’t roll their own blanks. They have rods from medium to lightning fast.
Redington rods are, as a rule, fast. The exception is the Crosswater series. You find TFO rods too soft? What do you use? IMO, TFO claims their rods are progressive or moderate fast, while they are actually fast and very fast.
Be sure to get a 4 piece travel rod… so much easier to deal with.
We’re also all waiting for a fishing report… with pictures.
LOL
Aloha,
Stan
Hi Stan,
Yep, I’m only buying four-piece rods from now on. I’ve got a couple of two-piece rods and they’re such a pain to travel anywhere with.
I did some fishing with one of my 8 wt Orvis outfits the other day and caught two small Tarpons! They were the only Tarpons I’ve ever caught… wow, they sure do love to leap! Silly me, I didn’t have a camera with me. 
I also did some fishing in a small pond and caught a nice Tilapia. I had to get the nymph through the smaller fish on the surface to get to the bigger ones down below. Once the fly reached about three feet, it was in the realm of the over-a-pounders… nice fish.
Mahalo,
Dave
I used a standard Clouser line in the bahamas 1.5 yr ago and worked just fine. It was a bit more limp than normal, fly line that is.
Thanks jkilroy!
It seems like the verdict is unanimous: regular line works.
Thanks to all who replied.
TFO Lefty Kreh Professional Model 7’6" 3wt.
Just like a buggy whip.
I can second this. I have the 8’6" 2 wt and its whippy as heck. But thats how I like light rods, so…