The previous topic “Over Lining” had many varying opinions including the virtues of true to weight fly lines.
In an effort to round out the discussion (targeted under a new title for those that may query) lets review available true to weight lines. Of course further discussion can be beneficial also.
Has anyone tried the TAC Balance Taper fly lines?
Any other favorites?
Interesting
I just ordered an 8 wt to try.
Thanks for sharing! I will check out. In the past, i have ordered one weight under to get closer to AFFTA standards since the rods i throw tend to like more true-to-weight lines
Cortland tarpon/backcountry taper (same line under 10wt they call backcountry) in both clear and colored or the all purpose xp underlined by 2 are the main lines I fish all true to weight but more aggressive than a bonefish taper.
Thanks. I’ve ordered a 7WT Line to try.
I have an 8wt TAC balance taper that I throw on my 9wt hardy marksman Z.
Great line. Definitely one of my favorites. Super soft presentation but very accurate and easy to throw the whole fly line in 3 false casts.
I use it mainly for snook around docks where most of my shots are close and have to be very soft and accurate.
Which they made a 6wt so I could put one on my 7wt marksman z
If you guys are still interested? After ordering the 8wt BT from the Angling Company I thought I recognized the box🙄. I have, literally a library of fly lines and sometimes I forget what I have. So I cancelled the order because I had a new 7wt that I never tried. Long story short, I’ve fished it on my 7 wt Sector, 8-9’ leader 40,25,15 30# bite throwing small eyed #4 clousers and baitfish patterns. Picking up 30-40’ delivering to 60’ is pretty doable as are shorter 30-40 deliveries. Get 60’ in the air is pretty good with one or two false casts (subject to conditions). With a little work I’m sure 70’ in the air is doable if one desires. Overall I’d say it’s definitely a line that suits both “painting the groves”, covering a lot of ground with 90+ footers and lands soft enough for sight fishing flats on more weary creatures😎. JMHO
I should report:
I purchased the Balanced Taper line for my 11wt Sawgrass 1 piece rod.
Much easier to cast than the SA Tarpon Taper I had on it. I do think some of this may be due to my technique, or lack there of. I can be jerky, instead of a smooth load. With the heavy Tarpon Taper line, I think I was overloading the rod.
I may buy a spool of 9wt and try it.
I tend like true to weight lines, but the problem is, as mentioned in their description, is there really isn’t a standard amongst rod builders. Fast to one mnf maybe xfast to another while being modfast to another. All requiring different lines.
So as consumers we’re the ones left footing the bill, with having to pair lines to rods for our desired technique. Not an issue if lines were $20 but at $100 a pop, it adds up quick.
Rant over., Back to lines.
I personally like Cortland lines. I’ve used the All purpose quite a bit and it does well at distance but is not a quick shooter. It takes a few extra false cast to get it going.
I’m also using the bonefish taper, which I really like, and I’ve got the Redfish taper on another, although it’s half size heavy it does well. Picks up, loads fast and from 30-70’ it’s on the mark with minimal false casts.
Additional comment on above post. Of all the lines I’ve tried the 7wt BT has yet to tangle. I’ve used as line management, my deck/cockpit, spike mat, bucket, CM perimeter spikes. No tangles. I was out yesterday, smoking hot day when I realized “I’ve been using this line/rod combo for weeks. No tangles none that I can remember anyway”. Just thought I’d share 
Late to the party here, but I’m a big fan of Nate’s TAC lines. I practice with a lot of long-belly lines, so I appreciate what he’s done with the longer head to support carry. I also think he’s on-target with aligning the head weights to modern rod tapers.
I’ve got a WF7F and a WF10F, and both are getting a little ragged after a couple years of fairly regular use. Despite having access to loads of other lines (and a shelf full of them, like many of us), I’ll be replacing both lines. I’m a fan.
Interesting take on the fly lines. I luckily have experimented and have a ton of fly lines in different weights and models, with specs for most of them, so it’s very easy for me to play around with different lines on my rods and be able to see what grain weights and tapers work well with them. Interesting thing is there are some rods I find to be picky with what line works well on them, and other rods that seem to work very well no matter what line I put on.
The Tailwater Outfitters “Tailwater Taper” is true to grain weight by AFFTA standards. It’s available in 7-9wt.
Have you used it @Brandon ?
Yeah I’ve thrown the 7 and 8.
Lands soft and loads a rod well. I like redfishing with it.
I’ll try an 8
I picked up at @Brandon suggestion
Glad I could help!
I was fortunate enough to get out today with @Smackdaddy53 on the Texas coast. I threw my 7wt sextant all day with that line almost forgot how enjoyable of a setup it is.
We caught a couple and I missed a few more. Mac was nice to me despite some poor angling at times! And it definitely wasn’t the setup!
Disregard
