Overlining Rods?

[Tabasco-Joe]

Let me start off by defining overlining. I use this term when using heavier weight line than the mfg rating for the rod.
There are two reasons I sometimes do this.
The first is to change the rod action to my preference.
The second is when fishing small streams with short rods where there is less room for the backcast. By using, say a 5 or 6 weight line on a 4 weight rod I can load up the rod with less line.

Anyone else using this technique?

 

[Tfhough]

It is very common. This can be a very interesting and useful thread to investigate into the weeds, with a lot of good information you can actually use. While you are at it, you may want to look into the "Common Cents" system and see what line weight your rod is really meant to throw, not what the company labeled it. Rods and reels are sexy, but the real secret to fly fishing is understanding the lines.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Yes I use a 7w on my 5w rhododendron covered ditch fishing rod. Awesome for casting within 20 feet but completely falls on its face farther than that.

 

[tomgamber]

it is an interesting topic we have discussed many times. probably not as much as breakfast but I didn't look.

Search results for query: overlining

www.paflyfish.com

 

[Tabasco-Joe]

it is an interesting topic we have discussed many times. probably not as much as breakfast but I didn't look.

Search results for query: overlining

www.paflyfish.com

You are probably right. Good chance someone has discussed breakfast in the past ten years.

 

[Bamboozle]

None of the rods I use for trout need or benefit from over-lining so I don't bother.

 

[Swattie87]

All my Brookie rods are over lined at least one weight. Sometimes two.

I actually underline some of my larger rods sometimes, to make longer casts on bigger water. Most commonly it’s my 8’6 5wt and fishing dries. If I’m fishing Sulphurs or anything smaller, I’ll fish that rod with 4 weight line.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

If you're swapping lines without putting them back in the box they came in, or on a spare and marked spool, label the line with a Sharpie as Flip Pallot recommended.

 

[dryflyguy]

I fish a 5 weight line on my 5 and 4 weight rods.
Basically to cut down on the amount of lines I need.
But am also fine with that setup on both rod weights

 

[TimMurphy]

Let me start off by defining overlining. I use this term when using heavier weight line than the mfg rating for the rod.
There are two reasons I sometimes do this.
The first is to change the rod action to my preference.
The second is when fishing small streams with short rods where there is less room for the backcast. By using, say a 5 or 6 weight line on a 4 weight rod I can load up the rod with less line.

Anyone else using this technique?

Dear Tabasco Joe,

Use a cheap level line of the correct weight and there is no need to overline to make a 25' cast.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂