Sas 1308

[danimal]

Read the post & threads below about the Scott rods---very interesting--also worrysome--seeing as to the fact that I just purchased a 1308. This rod will be used mostly in soft water,winter & spring on MICH. rivers. I plan on fishing it with RIO poly leaders and weighted flies for the most part. What wt XLT line would anyone recommend for this application? Casts will be in the 50-80 ft. range mainly. Also is there real cause for concern about blowing up this stick using a floating line only? I can see just about any fast rod not making it through the day if it is overlined enough , plus long tips pulled out of fast rips. By the way--- I cast in the traditional methods---not overhead. Thanks in advance

[danimal]

Are you refering to the XLT or the rod--that I won't find much use for on michigan waters. I was thinking about using the 7/8wt XLT on the 1308---hoping to use it as more of a finnesse rod --I mostly fish a 14ft.9wt.st.croix with a 10/11 mastery spey line--softer rod with a lot of backbone ---the rod loads deep with that line. Ilikeit........

[JDJones]

According to Way Yin's XLT line recommendation chart that is posted on The Fly Shop's website, The ARC 1308 takes an 8/9 line. The SAS,being a faster rod, may need an even heavier line. Since Way was one of the developers of those lines and is also on Scott's Pro Staff, he knows their rods well. I would seek his recommendations. He can be reached at Speycaster@bigfoot.com

JD

[NrthFrk16]

Stay away from the XLT on that rod...I threw a longer belly line on the 1308 SAS and the rod blewup the first time I truly loaded the rod...plus if you are fishing under 90' you never fully utilize the belly on the XLT and thus it isnt neccasary....

[Ol Rich]

If you want to cast an XLT line put a 8/9 on your St. Croix 14'. It is a delightful combination for 50' to 100' casts.

Rich

[danimal]

Well I got a return e-mail from Mr. Yin. Very straight forward & likable chap I would say, he says the 8/9 xlt will work wonders on that rod-(says the rod will take tips too). Also said that I wouldn't be disappointed with a delta. But I had a friend order me a xlt7/8 before hand, he is on the SA staff--stating that as heavy as that line tends to be that a 7/8 would probably load the rod just fine. WELLLLLLLLLLL I put that line on a reel--then I cut the first 17ft. off:eyecrazy: . Don't really know why I picked that point--other than looking at the taper it looked like a good starting place As I stated earlier most of my casts are 50-80ft.. I placed a 14ft. leader & a #7 shot at the tippet knot, then I went out to play in the snow --so to speak--I realize I have to get on a river to give it a workout in order to know its actual potential.But I was surprised that I could layout 70 plus ft. after just a few double speys. Ya have to short stroke this rod---faster than I thought it would be. I also doubt that this combo will work in even a moderate wind, but we will have to see. Is anyone else currently fishing this stick? What line are you using--I don't overhead cast so it has to be a line I can double-single -& snake roll with, plus I don't like to strip line either! Thanks

[JDJones]

The trick to making the XLT line work is "the shotgun lift" that Derick Brown talks about. Also a long extended stroke back cast bringing your upper arm back until you feel your shoulder blade digging into your back. The sort stroke under hand style will not work with this line.

[Dana]

Hi JD!

I think you're right on the money with extreme distances with the XLT or any other extended belly line. In order to use the underhand style you do need to modify your casting stroke, particulary your back cast. However, for fishing distances the underhand actually works quite well with such lines, though timing and application of power need to be exact--the traditional long line casting styles leave you more room for error than the underhand when it comes to extended belly lines.