Here's a pic of one of my mates with a kob estimat

[Mango]

Hi Trout that is some good info thank

 

[StuckOnDaRocks]

Ok, my original deal fell through with Wildfly.co.za. Apparently their supplier - Xplore upped their prices without giving notification. As such, they couldn't fulfill my order. So, i went out and just bought some stuff anyway.

This is what i got, it's in my storeroom now, it's official. I have one thing that i am not happy about though:

Rod: Stealth SR9089 2 Piece
Reel: Shakespeare ALB7/9
Leader: Pioneer Invisible Florocarbon
Line: Cortland Fairplay WF8I

The thing i am not happy about is the line. On the box it says floating, but there is a sticker on it which say: Intermediate. So, am not sure what's what. Also, it's an 8weight rather than a 9. Does anyone know how much of a difference this will make?

Other than that, i got a couple clousers and am ready to go....Can't wait!!

 

[Tr0ut]

Hi Dean. There is nothing wrong with Stealth rods. I've use them in the past and they are good. Cortland fairplay is a budget line and in this case you get what you paid for. I would take the line back especially if there is a discrepency. Cortland intermediates are normally light blue and their floaters are fluoro green. So this is one way of telling. Either way I'd go swop it for Cortland 444SL...a much better line for R100 more. I had a big kob fray a budget line on a sandbank....so it may be better to get a saltwater line. Freshwater lines (fairplay, 444) will not last in the salt. Cortland make a saltwater line I think its called 444SL. If anything I would spend money on my line. If you use one line weight less than is recommended by the manufacturer this tends to speed up the cast. One weight up and your cast will slow down. So there is nothing wrong with using a line weight up and down but you will increase or decrease the speed of the cast. I'd rather stick to the recommended weight though. Manufacturers design their blanks according to a line weight. I haven't had good experiences with Shakespeare reels. After a while the drag deteroirates. Cheers, Mic

 

[StuckOnDaRocks]

Thanks Mic. Will take the line back. They only had two other lines, bot of which were R500, R200 more than the one i have. One was a tarpin and i cannot remember the other line. The Cortland is light blue, but has a trout on the box, and so i guess it is a freshwater line...i agree i should go with a saltwater line. Salesman should have pointed that out.

The shakespeare looks a lot better than the xplore. I opened it up and the drag system looked better than the xplore. It was also cheaper. Seeing that i won't be fishing that much with it, i'll stick to this reel. If the drag ever goes i'll have to use the plam method.

I bought a couple clousers to go with it...

Back to the shop for me...

 

[Tr0ut]

Hi Dean. That line is definately an intermediate and intended for freshwater. Its up to you, maybe stick with it and change it in 2-3 years time. Also alot of saltwater lines nowdays are the shooting head type (All the weight is in the front section of the line). The primary aim of this line if for distance not presentation. If you are a beginner they can be dificult to cast. You need good timming to cast them efficiently. So ideally you need a weight forward taper intended for saltwater. These lines are taper from a very thin diamter at the base to a thicker diameter 3/4 of the way through the line, back to a thin diameter at the front. They are easier to cast and are more forgiving. An excellent choice for the beginner. With this line you get sufficient distance together with good presentation. I'm sure the line you have is a weight forward...so its up to you. Mic

 

[StuckOnDaRocks]

Hmmm...interesting. This line is a weight forawrd line, rather than a shooting head. I have emailed a lady at Wildfly who wanted to know what i bought. She said all the stuff I got is great, but she's advised that they have had a lot of complaints and returns regards to this line. Therefore, they no longer stock it. As such, i think i will definately get a better line. I'll get the 9w which is what i wanted in the first place, and i will get a weight forward taper.

One thing i am really happy about is my fly rod. It's a lot more whippy than the Xplore. The xplore seemed quite stiff. The whippy rod will be nice when i use it to practice in the dam and i am sure will give a much more fun fight. I guess the whippy rod, will make it a touch easier to cast as well, as the action can be slower??? If i have interpreted your email last week correctly.

Oh, and with the invisible pioneer flouocarbon line, these fish aren't gonna see it coming until it's way to late!!

I think when i target the grunter, i might just lob the cast with a prawn on instead of a fly...and then i will feel the fight on new stuff... We always catch grunter, it's a gaurentee. Then i will spend part of the day with a fly targeting elf and kob. I can't wait. I might as well resign and go today, i'm doing bugger all work anyway!!

 

[Tr0ut]

Ya correct it will be easier to learn on a medium/fast than a fast actioned rod, because your timing on the back cast doesn't need to perfect......but a fast actioned rod is more responsive and once mastered is easier to throw a longer line.

 

[StuckOnDaRocks]

Right, i am convinced i want a different line, but here is the problem. They only have the following line available in 9wt intermediate.
Cortland 333pro R500
Greys R399

Neither of these sounds partifulary better than what i have got - Cortland 8wt. Thinking i should just stick with what i got...

 

[Tr0ut]

Both are also freshwater lines

 

[StuckOnDaRocks]

Another shop nearby has Tarpon Tropical Saltwater in 9wt

 

[Tr0ut]

What make is that line? I think its Scientific Anglers if so that a damm good line...you wont regret it

 

[StuckOnDaRocks]

I called them it's by Airflo....opinion?

 

[Poenskop]

Don't get a Tropical Line if you are going to fish non-tropical waters. It will create terrible coils in cold water. Rather get a cold water line. Where are you based? I can have a look at local shop and maybe send you a line?

 

[Tr0ut]

Ahh Airflo lines are good. I extensively us the Airflo DI7, which sinks like a stone. I do have one problem with them. They can be sticky in cold water. Because its a tropical line its intended to be used in warm water conditions. In cold water you could have a problem with the line being sticky (it tangles easily). Saying that you shouldn't have a problem because its an intermediate, which are thicker than the sinking lines (because of bouyancy-the thicker the line the easier it will float and vice versa) and less likely to tangle. It is a good bet and Airflo are the top selling line in Europe....SO.....I'd go BUY IT NOW! 

 

[Tr0ut]

I agree with poenskop. You could have tangle issues as already discussed. Most manufacturers only make triopical lines because this is where they see most anglers fishing. If you shop around you should find a non tropical line....but its always a tradeoff. So you must buy a line to the coditions you'll mostly fish. I know Scientific anglers make the "Striper" series of lines which are intended for colder water...but that line will set you back R600. I still think you'll be OK with the Airflo because of the thicker intermediate. But if you worried buy a cold water line.

 

[StuckOnDaRocks]

Ok, after all this deliberation i think i am going to stick with what i have got. For the following reasons:

1. The line i have is cheap is an 8wt which is not ideal, but then again the rod is an 8/9 and the reel is 7/9.
2. I'm only using it a couple times a year and will wash thoroughly after use to make sure salt doesn't wreck the line
3. it's already on the reel and i will stretch it now and then to remove memory
4. there are so many permutations involved that i'm starting to lose sleep thinking about them
5. i will have an excuse when i don't catch a 10kg kob

I think this is my final decision.

Poenskop - i live in Bryanston. I feel bad about taking your guys time to reply to my silly questions. I really wouldn't want to put you out by going shopping for me...Thanks so much for the offer. If you do happen to go, my budget is R500 max.

 

[Spyker Kruger]

Great catch boys.

Made me think of Dr.bruce bennett that caught a 42,6 kg cob at the cunenne river mouth on a clouser and *10 rod,took him hour and a bit to land the fish.

I am not a great fly boy, but have caught some fish on fly, if you need some more info concerning the grunter contact Carlos on this site he has caught a lot with us at the cunenne .

 

[Chris Shelton]

I have been away fromm Sealine for a while and only just logged in today, and I must say I was really delighted to see you active on Sealine Spyker. Really wonderful to hear that you recovered so well after your horrific accident. After two years since my last trip to Henties, I am longing for the place like you cannot believe! I hope to bump into you next time I visit. We did meet once in the mist at Solitude...a long time ago! Keep well boet!

 

[Poenskop]

There is a flyfishing shop at Coachmans Crossing near St Shithians School entrance. The name is Frontier Fly fishing. They are a bit expensive but they will be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[StuckOnDaRocks]

Yes, I was at Frontier Fly Fishing yesterday. My fiance has her office above it. I bought flies from there, but there line is R800. That's to much for a beginner like me. They did say that the difference between a salwater and freshwater line is so slight as to not really worry about it.

They do offer some brilliant advise though...