8wt line help

Just got a new 8wt rod and reel (Redington CPX and Lamson Velocity) and am looking for a line. The problem is the variety of fish I want to target with this setup, which is Carp, Musky/Pike, and Steelhead. Each species seems to have their own nuances and line requirements that are very different from each other. From what I gather, Pike/Musky require a very front heavy, short front taper line for turning over massive, wind resistant flies. Steelhead require a heavy line with a large rear taper for long distance mending and handling. Carp require a heavy line that lands softly so you can cast big flies without spooking them.

Is there a line that will do all of these things reasonably well or am I dreaming? Currently thinking SA GPX (love the mastery textured lines), but really could use some advice here.

Also, for those that know this rod, how heavy a line am I looking at here?

I'm all over the place with my 8, too. Salt, bass, trout, pike. I was using an SA bass bug line and it did well everywhere. Just switched to a Rio pike/musky and I think I liked the bass bug line better.

But I'm not a gear head and haven't been up to speed on current products in a loooong time. I'm sure snapt will steer you to a Rio. Someone else will say sharkskin or some shit. Doesn't seem to be much love for Airflo around here.

Speaking of snapt, I wonder how many folks think his screen name is pronounced "snapped". I bet quite a few.

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Originally Posted by Underoos

I'm all over the place with my 8, too. Salt, bass, trout, pike. I was using an SA bass bug line and it did well everywhere. Just switched to a Rio pike/musky and I think I liked the bass bug line better.

But I'm not a gear head and haven't been up to speed on current products in a loooong time. I'm sure snapt will steer you to a Rio. Someone else will say sharkskin or some shit. Doesn't seem to be much love for Airflo around here.

Speaking of snapt, I wonder how many folks think his screen name is pronounced "snapped". I bet quite a few.

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I'm sure he'll tell me to get a Rio as well. I've had a few and like how they fish, I've found the SA textured lines (never tried Sharkskin) to float, mend, and shoot through guides much better and overall have a much more supple feel and coil up less. Plus I love going to the park and throwing line on the grass and I've found the SA textured lines hold up to this much better. A couple grass sessions pretty much kills the slickness on Rio's and they cast noticeably worse after. Yes I know clean them and dress them, but it's one step I've found I don't need to do near as often with the SA textured lines. I do like how much information Rio publishes about their lines though. SA doesn't even come close here. Not much love for Airflo from me because they are harder to find around here.

what kind of steelhead fishing are you going to be doing? winter? summer? nymphing? swinging?

you could have three different lines just for steelhead, much less for pike/carp/etc.

might be worth getting two specialized lines that work great for their intended targets versus one line that works okay (maybe) for two to three different species/fly sizes/etc.

The SA Mastery Steelhead line is probably my favorite all-time line. It should work fine for carp also....carp flies aren't generally bigger than steelhead flies.

For pike/musky id probably just get whatever bassbug line was on sale provided it had a relatively short head and thin running line. I don't think you'd be thrilled using a steelhead line for pike or vice-versa.

Every mag I've ever met has called me snapped.

That's a tough one, steelhead taper by anyone would be great for steelhead obviously and probably work just fine for carp. GPX would work fine for both but not at all for most musky flies.

For big flies its hard to beat an OutBound Short. Really haven't cast any aggressive taper that's as user friendly as that for both turnover and distance.

Honestly you probably need 2 lines to cover those. Might have a demo of something, pm me.

CPX is a solid stick for the Job though

I could see how single hander or non fisher could get that from your user name.

Before I went to a two hander for steelhead, I found myself in a similar situation. I ended up going with an SA GPX for steel and carp then a, believe it or not, Courtland 333 Bass/Big Fly. A buddy who is a Pike chasing freak talked me into trying that line. So glad I did, especially for $34. Same specs as the RIO outbound short.

So I would want the Outbound Short over the Pike/Musky line for Pike/Musky?

I don't have much time with the Pike/Musky to be honest. Though at our sales meeting we stole a dog's squeaky 12" squirrel toy and were turning it over nicely with the Pike/Musky. OBS would be a tad more versatile for other fishing, I know guys who swing and streamer fish with a sinking polyleader on the end.

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Originally Posted by Underoos

Just switched to a Rio pike/musky and I think I liked the bass bug line better.

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Yesterday I used this line for it's intended purpose and I was quite pleased. Imagine that.

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Originally Posted by Dickeymotto

Just got a new 8wt rod and reel (Redington CPX and Lamson Velocity) and am looking for a line. The problem is the variety of fish I want to target with this setup, which is Carp, Musky/Pike, and Steelhead. Each species seems to have their own nuances and line requirements that are very different from each other. From what I gather, Pike/Musky require a very front heavy, short front taper line for turning over massive, wind resistant flies. Steelhead require a heavy line with a large rear taper for long distance mending and handling. Carp require a heavy line that lands softly so you can cast big flies without spooking them.

Is there a line that will do all of these things reasonably well or am I dreaming? Currently thinking SA GPX (love the mastery textured lines), but really could use some advice here.
Also, for those that know this rod, how heavy a line am I looking at here?

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#8line = #8rod generally works....
Some of SA's lines will be very soft, some=middle of the road, and like most brands..there are stiffer lines.
Try some RIOs too, they make some nice lines. The different brand's lines ARE often different in casting feel, so just like a car, try them out when possible.
A specialized line will make things happen a little easier...often it will make a BIG difference between a successful trip or not....often it's just a crutch to an insignificant result, instead of relying one's casting skills, you often lose a little of the "other" traits you sold for the crutch...

If one is going to have fun fishing for Steelhead, why would you waste your time casting for Carp???, or Pike, or Muskies? They're completely different types of critters, and people usually have fun with one or the other(s).

Picking lines is a lot easier when you physically go and cast the lines. I'm not dissing any of your overblowing the difference in the lines...just think that you, and a lot of other fledgling flycasters read into the marketing too much..and would have far fewer questions if you got out and tried em'.

"If one is going to have fun fishing for Steelhead, why would you waste your time casting for Carp???, or Pike, or Muskies? They're completely different types of critters, and people usually have fun with one or the other(s)."

What the fuck? You are saying I should limit my fishing to one species?

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Originally Posted by teleee

"If one is going to have fun fishing for Steelhead, why would you waste your time casting for Carp???, or Pike, or Muskies? They're completely different types of critters, and people usually have fun with one or the other(s)."

What the fuck? You are saying I should limit my fishing to one species?

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"SHOULD", no....but up here in little ol' Maine the majority of trout(actually char family) are brookies and are appetizers for Pike and Muskie, which are invading the same waters ever so slowly... There are a LOT of brooks/streams connecting here & there AND a lot of illegal, invasive introduction of Pike & Muskie from over the border or from caught fish. Lots of poaching(fish/moose/deer/bear) as well that's not stopped. We're talking about an economically deficient state....
That's where I'm coming from. If the OP is asking for responses...there's no way I know what his situation is...
Brooktrout and Landlocked Salmon are the two biggest gamefish in Maine. Browns and Rainbows are stocked in just a few rivers/streams. If the states stocked Pike or Muskie in the pristine, blue-ribbon trout streams out there....a division would develop...believe me. They cannot exist together....one is predator, one is dinner.
The Pike up north, in Labrador are few in number in the brooktrout watersystems...in comparison to those in Maine where they've moved in.... Hope Dickeymotto just read it to not feel he has to buy a specific line for every type of fish...

$.01

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Originally Posted by Underoos

Speaking of snapt, I wonder how many folks think his screen name is pronounced "snapped". I bet quite a few.

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Originally Posted by 2FUNKY

I could see how single hander or non fisher could get that from your user name.
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I never put the 2 and 2 together til it was brought up here!