Shooting with different lines

Gordy - some thoughts on amount of line shot vs amount of line carried - Jason did a study of various lines and found that, in general, there is a greater difference between

the diameter of the head portion and the diameter of the running line as you increase line weight. This translates to being able to shoot less percentage of line carried in

Yes.....many lines have the same diameter and grain wt. per foot for their running lines so that the ONLY difference is in the wt. of the forward taper and belly.....so that would have to be the case, intuitively. Good, though, to have seen his hard data to confirm.

Also, one must consider that the rough, "formula" of going up one fly line designation for each 5' to 6' of fly line carried out of the rod tip only works until you get into overhang......because of the thin diameter and relatively less mass per foot of that running line. With that in mind, it holds for most of the long belly distance lines way out to the carrying of 50' of line or a bit more.

With respect to what point to release the line when shooting, the line/loop should straighten just as the line reaches the

maximum distance in the cast. If it straightens any sooner the line will tumble. In order for it to straighten after that point the line would have to have been stopped short (possibly

on purpose as with a check haul, or unintentionally by stepping on or tangling the line) resulting in the line kicking over or a less than delicate presentation. The caster may

choose to do these things for purposes of presentation. It would also be possible for a caster to change the point at which they release line for shooting in order to change

the presentation. I've found that releasing line just prior to the stop when making an underpowered curve cast is an effective way to underpower the cast.

It's getting late for me (dawn patrol for tarpon early this am)....so I'll have to sleep on that one.