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These lines were tested head to head in 40F degree water as many pike anglers fish in cold waters in the spring and fall seasons.
Cortland Precision Big Fly Pike Taper
This has been my regular line for some time, so its not a big suprise that I achieved my best distances with it. Casting styles may cause differing results for other anglers.
This is a 90' line with a very short front taper. Essentially a "fat head" line with less running line relative to the belly and taper. The back taper is VERY long on this line.This line is well suited for shooting big heavy flies into the wind. You just get it moving and let 'er rip.
I rarely have temperature related issues with this line, and it seems relatively good as far as tangling.
Another feature of this line is its color change which is supposed to indicate the best area to pick up the line.
Here is the company write up and technical specs.
Precision Big Fly - Pike Floating (90')
Designated to throw large, wind resistant pike flies like bunny leaches
with ease. Big Fly utilizes Cortland's Rocket 2 taper with a dramatically
shortened front taper to turn over large flies with ease. A color change
from red to mint green indicates the maximum pick-up point for more efficient
casting.
Sizes: WF 8 - 10
Type: Floating
Taper: Rocket 2
Color: Blood Red / Mint
Core: Nylon Braid
3m Scientific Angler Mastery Series
Among my guests when I'm guiding, this is probably the line of choice. This a more conventional line than the Cortland line with its shorter tapers and bigger belly section with consistant diameter. The main advantage of this taper is better control as you can cast with plenty of line out and drop the fly where you want it. This line also has good cold water characteristics.
Here is the company info.
Wt----tip----front taper----belly-----rear taper-----running line-----head length
9------0.5------5-----------26---------4---------------55-------------35
Pike/Muskie
Specialty Taper
Applications:
* Designed to deliver mega flies long distances with extra accuracy
and control
* Low memory for cool pike waters
Taper characteristics:
* Large tip diameter and short front taper provide the power to deliver
huge pike flies into the wind
* Short head minimizes false casting
* Overall taper design enhances the ability to control the fly, resulting
in longer and more accurate casts with less effort
* High-floating for easier pickups
Core:
* Braided multifilament nylon with optimum air entrapment for minimum memory, maximum floatation
Coating:
* Specially formulated 3M PVC integrated with patented AST – Advanced
Shooting Technology
* Formulated to float higher for easier pickups
* Supple coating minimizes memory in cold water
AirFlo Tru Cast
The suprise of the test, I think this will be one of my new favourite lines. I threw this one in to have some representation from the "budget" lines, but this is certainly a high performance line. While not species specific, it performs in a similiar fashion to the Scientific Angler line and easily turned those big flies over. It has a similiar taper, but is a slighly shorter line at 82'. My casts were slightly shorter than with the other two lines, but having never casted this line before, that was expected.
All in all, I strongly recommend these lines.
I found that this line actually had the best cold water response of all three lines!
TAPER LENGTH TIP FRONT BELLY REAR RUNNING
WF 82FT 1FT 8FT 24FT 2FT 47FT
Whether your new to the sport or just getting back into it, Tru Cast
is the perfect line to help you on your journey.
With many of the features found in our premium lines, Tru Cast is available
in Floating, Clear Intermediate and Fast sinking at an entry level price.
TAPER Easy cast head
CORE Floating - Braided multifilament nylon/Intermediate & Sinking
- Mono core
COATING Polyfuse
RECOMMENDED
POLYLEADER
Trout | Light Trout