Best Lines for Boost Beach 7wt

[Uncle Stu]

Recently I got a good deal on a 7wt Echo Boost Beach for the surf here in Cali, casting two-hand overhead. I happened to already have an 8wt Airflo Sniper line that works OK on it but I'm curious what other folks are using and what's good or not good. Echo says to use about 265gr head, but I'm sure my Sniper line is over 300gr. What do you guys use? 

 

(attached--a surf perch I got on the new rod.)

Edited January 8 by Uncle Stu

[Ftyer]

A 7 weight two hand rod, rated at 265 grains? That doesn’t add up to me one bit. I have a couple of 7 weight two hand rods and they’re at least in the 420 grain plus ballpark. My 13’3” Redington throws 510 very well. 
 

I fish on the bottom, and use a running line with level T14 or T17 heads, for whatever it’s worth. 

[Mike Oliver]

It does not add up but these are not spey casting rods. 265 g for OH should be on the money

[Ftyer]

4 hours ago, Mike Oliver said:

It does not add up but these are not spey casting rods. 265 g for OH should be on the money

I exclusively overheard cast all of my two hand rods, that’s all I do with them actually. 

[Uncle Stu]

4 hours ago, Ftyer said:

A 7 weight two hand rod, rated at 265 grains? That doesn’t add up to me one bit. I have a couple of 7 weight two hand rods and they’re at least in the 420 grain plus ballpark. My 13’3” Redington throws 510 very well. 
 

I fish on the bottom, and use a running line with level T14 or T17 heads, for whatever it’s worth. 

 

yeah, Echo says these are rated like one handers, but I use grain weight anyway because AFTMA ratings are not useful any more. Thanks for your input on the T11/T14 -- you are not the first to mention this. I have used looped-on heads for years on my other rod, but lately I prefer the smooth joint of an integrated line, for fishing that last 30' of the retrieve. 

 

[Ftyer]

32 mins ago, Uncle Stu said:

 

yeah, Echo says these are rated like one handers, but I use grain weight anyway because AFTMA ratings are not useful any more. Thanks for your input on the T11/T14 -- you are not the first to mention this. I have used looped-on heads for years on my other rod, but lately I prefer the smooth joint of an integrated line, for fishing that last 30' of the retrieve. 

 

I definitely get that preference. For my system, my hangpoint is always behind my head (by maybe 6”) so it doesn’t bother me on the casting. It’s a little annoying on the retrieve if I need to get it close to me, but maybe RIO makes an Outbound Short in the grain weight you like. I want to say they have a 30’ head…or maybe it’s SA’s version of the OBS that does. 

[surfrat59]

An 8wt Airflo sniper is around 300gn so close to Echo's recommended line wt, if you like the way it casts why not. If you want to add sink tips maybe something 50gns lighter. Roll up the sniper head and weigh it, then you'll be better informed on another line purchase. A few new lines can quickly add up to the price of a decent rod these days !

[Uncle Stu]

3 hours ago, surfrat59 said:

An 8wt Airflo sniper is around 300gn so close to Echo's recommended line wt, if you like the way it casts why not. If you want to add sink tips maybe something 50gns lighter. Roll up the sniper head and weigh it, then you'll be better informed on another line purchase. A few new lines can quickly add up to the price of a decent rod these days !

Airflo says their 40+ Sniper 8wt weighs 330gr. Agree that lines are pricey--two new ones would equal what I paid for the rod. My line does work, but I'm curious as to what works for other folks with this rod. SA makes a sinking Surf Sonar line with a short head and intermediate running line that looks like a winner at 300gr. 

[Stonefish]

Stu,

I’m not a two handed guy, but have you looked at the Airflo 40+ lines?

If the new ones are the same as the old ones, everything except the intermediate version comes with a intermediate running line.

It comes with a 35’ head and they offer it in sink 3, 5 and 7. The 7 wt is 280g.

They weren’t list on the Airflo USA site the last time I looked but they are on the global site if you are interested in the specs.

Mayfly can order them for you.

SF

 

[Mike Oliver]

17 hours ago, Ftyer said:

I exclusively overheard cast all of my two hand rods, that’s all I do with them actually. 

That’s fine but this rod as Uncle is saying has been rated by Echo with single hand lines. As they put the grain ratings  to that helps us get the right lines for them.

Overhead  casting with rods with spey fly line ratings often cast better with less grains than in the rating inscribed onto the rod. Apologies if you already know this.

Mike

[Uncle Stu]

1 hour ago, Stonefish said:

Stu,

I’m not a two handed guy, but have you looked at the Airflo 40+ lines?

 

SF--yes, it's 3 - 5 yr old, but the line I'm using now is the Sniper 40+ and it's actually working fine. I'd love to try the SA Sonar Surf, it has a shorter head and intermediate line as well. The other contender (of course) is the famous Rio Outbound Short. 

 

 

[Killiefish]

I don't have that rod, but I do have a short-ish (11'3") 7wt switch rod rated single hand that throws 265g to 330g overhead pretty well.  The best lines I've found for it were a RIO OBS in 7wt (265g) or a Wulff Ambush in 7wt with an 8.5 ft tip of T-8 - so ~28.5ft and ~333g.  Any single hand weight forward line weighing in at 300g +/- 30g should be on the money.  Echo/Airflo also makes a line specifically for that rod and it is 265g.  I'd expect it would be dialed in for normal sized flies.  Expensive but that line can sometimes be found for 50% of retail.  I think they make it in intermediate as well as floating.  For sinking presentations just use T-10 - around 28.5ft should just about do it.  Airflo used to make T-10 custom cut heads/tips available in 30ft lengths with very nice, very compact, loops on both ends. They were around $35-40.  Perfect for use with 40lb mono or thin coldwater intermediate running lines.  Because you are not using a heavy super powerful rod or really heavy payloads, I'd think 40lb Big Game mono, or a remnant 6-7wt intermediate running line will work o.k. for the surf perch game. 

Edited January 9 by Killiefish

[Uncle Stu]

thanks Killie, good input. I'm still using the Ross Reach for salmon and striper but it tires me out after a couple hours and catching surf perch is more fun on a lighter stick. So far the Echo has been good to me, after a few outings. 

[gman1253]

Echo makes fines rods for most folks... tough to find on the east coast though. 

 

I usually throw 265 to 275 on my 7's (one handed only)... One line that is very nice is the SA Mastery Grand Slam in a 9wt (around 270gr) - the Wavelength has been on sale but is noisy thru the guides due to the texture but they do have the Mastery which is smooth.  It's like  a 40ft head.

 

The Wulff 2 tone Saltwater TT line in a 9wt is also very nice. but that's around 288gr with a 30ft head, the 8wt is around 243 gr which I find light for 7 but ok for a 6wt.

 

SA Titan Taper has a 33/34 ft head & is 280gr in the 8wt. Very nice line as well.

 

OBS is a 30ft head around 275gr.

[Uncle Stu]

thanks Gman. Now that I think about it, I do have a Sonar Titan 3D that I could trim since it is way too heavy. I would lose the front taper but I do like a shorter head (like a Skagit) for 2-hand in the surf. Could then add a tip or polyleader to help the loop unroll if needed.