Textured fly lines suck

[yella]

Yesterday I went fishing and the water was really cold - I used a textured line and when I got home I had a gash in my finger from the line - I didnt feel it in the cold... So the first reason that textured lines suck is that they cut into your hands. And wearing gloves that stay wet in the cold water also isnt a good option.

Secondly I hate the noise it makes while casting and retrieving. I like to be really stealthy when fishing, then you get this rubbing noise and vibration while retrieving, which kind of spoils it.

So I wont be buying a textured line again, and I will be wearing a plaster on my finger if I take my textured line out again.

At least the fishing in the vaal rocked. Caught 7 nice smallmouths in a short space of time in the afternoon, in pretty clear water.

[Andre]

This has been a criticism of some tectured lines since they were introduced, although I have never had these problems with the Sci anglers shark skin. The sound doesn't worry me, as I make very short casts, but what I do like, is that the line floats very high on the water, and there is less disturbance on lift off. Plus absolutely no memory. The shark skin line has the "scales" facing backwards, so when the line runs out, from a cast or from a fish taking line, it cant cut anyway, due to the line running "with the grain" if you understand what I mean. The only way it could possible cut into your finger, would be on the retrieve, and I still don't really know how this would happen unless you are retrieving lots of line very quickly. Still, its one of the best performing lines I have ever fished with, in fact sometimes it over performs in that you have to stop the line in mid fly, due to it over shooting, resulting in a disastrous dump cast presentation.

[yella]

In the cold water the fish are very skittish - so you need long casts to get to them. It does cast far but the extra couple of feet you gain Im not completely sure is worth the annoyance.

I will check what you say about floating high - didnt notice anything special about that, but if it does float higher it is an advantage. And on lift off - that for sure is an advantage, but havent noticed that either yet.

I like the SA lines, mastery etc, but this is my first textured line from them Im fishing regularly.

[Andre]

In cold water, the fish should be more active, or particularly trout. Distance from the fish has nothing to do with the fish being skittish, unless you are right on top of them, but two rod lengths away, makes no difference to being a full fly line away, as its all about technique. Also, line lift off is a function of technique as well, and the high float properties of the shark skin line enable this. The further the cast the more disturbance of line pick up, so what is better, a long cast so as to not spook fish, only to be disturbed anyway by a messy pickup? Better to fish closer where presentation can be better managed, as well as line pickup.... best of both worlds. Remember... long cast lose fish. Remember also, the fly line functionality is more important to the fishing application, than the rod, so as you would buy a rod according to its fishing suitability, more so would you choose your line according to its suitability to the application.

[Gerrit Viljoen]

Eish another gem from Mr know it all!

[yella]

In cold water, the fish should be more active, or particularly trout. Distance from the fish has nothing to do with the fish being skittish, unless you are right on top of them, but two rod lengths away, makes no difference to being a full fly line away, as its all about technique. Also, line lift off is a function of technique as well, and the high float properties of the shark skin line enable this. The further the cast the more disturbance of line pick up, so what is better, a long cast so as to not spook fish, only to be disturbed anyway by a messy pickup? Better to fish closer where presentation can be better managed, as well as line pickup.... best of both worlds. Remember... long cast lose fish. Remember also, the fly line functionality is more important to the fishing application, than the rod, so as you would buy a rod according to its fishing suitability, more so would you choose your line according to its suitability to the application.

Andre I dont think you have nymphed a lot for yellowfish in winter on rivers - all you said is contrary to nearly everything used to catch smallmouths, smallscales and largescales in winter. Being able to throw decent casts without too much disturbance is key for me to catching these fish in winter. Since good casts will end up with a dead drift towards you the pick up thing is moot too.

[core fly]

I use sharkskin on my 3wt and besides the sound its awesome in every other way.
However,I have fished the Bothaville area in winter (Yella i believe thats where you fish too).Without a boat the winter channels are quite long line from best standing casting position,and yes,i can definately see how the textured lines wont be a great advantage at those spots in winter.Must say,if I had to choose a line for that water,in winter it would probably be the airflo super-dri..cats and sits very well and is also a tad thinner than lines of the same rating.

[core fly]

if I may add and maybe hijack the thread slightly..
To me it seems,and more so beginners, tend to think that the new line or rod for that matter is gonna make you cast 20m further..In all honesty,if you get an extra 5m from a beter quality line than you did you should be happy.

Then like Andre says,look at stuff that matters in a line..Colour preference,floatability and how it feels for you.
Fly fishing is much like golf,new equipment is just a placebo effect to true talent else golfers would be playing rounds waaaay lower than guys in the 60S playing with wooden head woods and blades for irons,but they not.

[Umhlangarox]

Yesterday I went fishing and the water was really cold - I used a textured line and when I got home I had a gash in my finger from the line - I didnt feel it in the cold... So the first reason that textured lines suck is that they cut into your hands. And wearing gloves that stay wet in the cold water also isnt a good option.

Secondly I hate the noise it makes while casting and retrieving. I like to be really stealthy when fishing, then you get this rubbing noise and vibration while retrieving, which kind of spoils it.

So I wont be buying a textured line again, and I will be wearing a plaster on my finger if I take my textured line out again.

At least the fishing in the vaal rocked. Caught 7 nice smallmouths in a short space of time in the afternoon, in pretty clear water.

You don't need gloves, a tiny finger lappie that covers your finger will suffice, I have been fishing a textured line for a few years now and this solves the problem.

I understand the noise might bug some, personally it doesn't bother me at all. From a stealth perspective, you won't be spooking any fish with that sound. It might sound loud to you but if someone stands a short distance away they won't hear anything.

IMHO I am yet to find a line that rides as high in the water, has zero memory and casts nearly as well as the textured line, so for me there is no better. But i can imagine its not for everyone, maybe give it a couple more goes before you right it off. . . . .

[Gerrit Viljoen]

Yesterday I went fishing and the water was really cold - I used a textured line and when I got home I had a gash in my finger from the line - I didnt feel it in the cold... So the first reason that textured lines suck is that they cut into your hands. And wearing gloves that stay wet in the cold water also isnt a good option.

Secondly I hate the noise it makes while casting and retrieving. I like to be really stealthy when fishing, then you get this rubbing noise and vibration while retrieving, which kind of spoils it.

So I wont be buying a textured line again, and I will be wearing a plaster on my finger if I take my textured line out again.

At least the fishing in the vaal rocked. Caught 7 nice smallmouths in a short space of time in the afternoon, in pretty clear water.

My exact same experience with both the Textured & Sharkskin line. The noise put me off completely and if you're not confident with your setup it will always bother you. :wink: Airflo all the way my china!