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[fishgutz63]

just wanted to know the pros and cons of overlining/underlining (eg) putting a 6wt line on a 5wt rod or 6wt rod with 5wt line.thanxs

[Rp3Flyfisher]

Don't underline your rod, it won't cast well at all!!

The advantage of overlining a rod is that it will help with casting, but be careful of what kind of rod you overline as some of them are not meant to be overlined.

Rick

[mbowers]

Overline
Pro - easy to start cast (loads with less line), more accurate at short distance, easier for beginner
Cons - less delicate presentation, distance is limited

Underline
Pro - carry more line in the air for distance, more delicate presentation
Cons - tough to get cast started (need water haul, shoot on front and back casts), less accurate at short distance, tougher for beginner

I think distance casters will use a 5wt line on an 8wt blank if allowed in the competition.  For fishing purposes I rarely go more than 2 line weights over and 1 line weight under.

[distanc3]

Overline
Pro - easy to start cast (loads with less line), more accurate at short distance, easier for beginner
Cons - less delicate presentation, distance is limited

Underline
Pro - carry more line in the air for distance, more delicate presentation
Cons - tough to get cast started (need water haul, shoot on front and back casts), less accurate at short distance, tougher for beginner

I think distance casters will use a 5wt line on an 8wt blank if allowed in the competition.  For fishing purposes I rarely go more than 2 line weights over and 1 line weight under.

Thanks, will keep that in mind when i hunt for my fly setup

[abito]

i go by grain wt more then anything nowadays as each rod in the same wt can be different.

[skaha]

--line taper, rod action, casting style..all affect the cast
--if buying off the rack I would go with the line wt. as recommended by the manufacturer.

--specialty fly shop... important to let the staff know ( they will likely ask anyways) what you're going to use the set up for,
--the how, where, what you intend to fish for can help them to fine tune your outfit.

--the shop will have demo equipment available so you should be able to cast the rod and experiment if you wish..based on their recommendations as a starting point, thus you will get a feeling of what works for you.

--best advice... casting lessons.. beginner or pro, they always help.
--our fly club is renting an indoor soccer field so we can play in comfort
--get a friend to video your cast... this can be very humbling, when you see what others see!!!!!

[RalphH]

Most single handed rods these days are designed to fish the common longer belly WF lines that are featured as the TOL lines by Rio SA Cortland etc. The AFTMA standard is based on the 1st 30 feet of the line and that means with a longer head the rod casts more grains than it's nominal rating.

With such rods it makes sense to go up a line weight with shorter heads such as some Saltwater and other specialty lines, shooting heads and some of the less expensive (but still very good) lines that are on the market. The later class of lines are marketed for less expereinced casters who may not be able to get the 35 to  40 feet of head on a TOL line off the tip of the rod.

Underlining is seldom done but can help cope with wind or get a more delicate presentation when fishing dries and emergers in selective situations.

[Sandman]

I would agree with Ralph and Bowers as to the pros and cons, (whens and wheres), to over or under load the rod.  Remember that the line weight suggested on the blank is based on average conditions with the most common line type.  It is impossible for the manufacturer to peg who is going to pick up the rod, which line they will load it with and under what conditions are they going to use it.  There are times when you are going to want to go heavier and time when you will need to go lighter.