Best Running Line?

[AndyK]

I’ve been planning to add some Spey shooting heads to my lines and have been wondering about the best running line to use. I have had some recent experience with the Airflo ridge running lines and the Frog Hair Gamma Shooting Lines. I have no problem with either line. Both lines cast well. The Airflo comes with a loop; I had to make a loop for the Gamma line.

However, there are some new lines on the market, specifically the Airflo Miracle Braid and the SA Sharkskin shooting line. The Sharkskin is pre-looped; I don’t know if the Miracle Braid comes with a loop.

What is the best running line? Who has experience with these lines?

[MikeT]

I use the Miracle Braid on two of my spey reels.
It doesn't come pre-looped, but loops are easy to make using the same process as you'd use putting a loop in braided mono. Simple, easy, and no bulky joint to catch in the guides.

I've used it for two seasons and like it a lot. No memory. Shoots really well. The surface of the line is not slick, so it's easy to grab and hold on or strip without line slipping through your fingers.

[KillerDave]

I use Miracle Braid on my Spey Rod and really like it. It's best feature is it has no memory (coils) but enough stiffness to handle well.

I have not used a Sharkskin shooting line, but have a Sharkshin WF fly line and it makes a lot of noise going through the guides. The noise bugs me.

Hope this helps.

[Skater]

Air-Flo Ridge running line or Rio Slick Shooter

[Ladyangler]

Hey guys, another good running line is Rio's XS Floating Coldwater series in 30m. This line works well in both the heat and coldwater conditions. I use this with all the Skagit style lines. The big advantage is that it floats creating less line drag while swinging in the traditional method. Since I don't fish with indicators I really don't have a clue how this line would work using this application.

LA

[sothereiwas]

I use the Ridge 30lb in the winter and Amnesia 25lb in the summer. I have used Miracle Braid in the past. It probably the most sensative, and mends well, but it will not win any distance contests.

[surfnfish]

I’ve been planning to add some Spey shooting heads to my lines and have been wondering about the best running line to use. I have had some recent experience with the Airflo ridge running lines and the Frog Hair Gamma Shooting Lines. I have no problem with either line. Both lines cast well. The Airflo comes with a loop; I had to make a loop for the Gamma line.

However, there are some new lines on the market, specifically the Airflo Miracle Braid and the SA Sharkskin shooting line. The Sharkskin is pre-looped; I don’t know if the Miracle Braid comes with a loop.

What is the best running line? Who has experience with these lines?

I use the Airflo ridge myself, and it works well.

Read an article that the Sharkskin shooting line will literally cut grooves into your fingers by the end of a days casting....

[Steelie Mike]

My primary choice is the Airflo Ridge then Miracle Braid. I forgot how much I like the Miracle Braid until Slow and Low lent me a stick to use. Both shoot well. Amnesia is ok if you have soft fingers that can handle the thin diameter of the line, and do not mind stetching you line before using it. SA has another shooter besides the crapskin that I thought was ok, but I do not remember the name of it off hand. I want to play with some of the RIO and Guideline products.

[Bighorn12]

I have limited experience with the Airflo Ridge running line, but have been very impressed so far. It is easy to handle and shoots well. My :twocents:. I went with the 20lb., which is probably fine, but may have been better off going with the 30lb. I tried the slick shooter, but felt the Airflo was easier to handle.

[cphatts]

My top priority in selecting running lines is fishing performance as oppossed to casting distance. In most situations maintaing good line control becomes difficult beyond 80 feet, so it really doesn't do me much good to have a line that will shoot to the moon. I have tried the mono lines such as Varavias find them too thin for my liking. I currently use 30lb Ridgeline and am pleased with it overall. However, my next line will probably be the Guidline GL shooter. It is very similar to Ridgeline but I found it to tangles less often. The good part is most shooting lines are relatively cheap so you can experiment without breaking the bank.

[SSPey]

summer: airflo ridge 30 lb
winter: monic yellow

skagit/scandi heads under 500 grains: airflo ridge 20 lb

I also find mono too much trouble to grip with cold and lazy gorilla hands. Varivas is my favorite among them, being hollow and buoyant and a little fatter for gripping, but for me is still too slick to hold easily, and also prone to kinking. If fishing a lighter skagit head (under 500 grains) where it helps to have a less resistant running line, I'll step down to 20 lb Airflo.

one of the fundamentals of spey casting is to have a loose grip on the rod. Mono running lines demand a tighter grip than is natural for me.

[Slow and Low]

Miracle braid for me. If you go with rigdeline get the heaviest stuff versus the 20#. The 20# tangles.

[JGS]

Monic performs as well as anything, but once it starts to wear, it is a true pain in the arse. Varivas and the SA Mono are both great along with the Airflo Ridge 20 and 30. The newer Rio running line is somewhat improved over the last version.

[Zugbug66]

I use and like the miracle braid the best. I have also used amnesia over the last season, but I think the miracle braid out performs it, especially in cold water. I picked it up at NW Flyfishing Outfitters and they took the time to pre loop it for me. And as for it not winning any distance contests, I can definately cast farther with it than i can fish effectively.
wayne

[Nick6547]

I haven't used miracle braid or sharkskin running lines, but I used to use braided mono in the old days (The 1980's - can that be called the old days?). I stopped after I got a pretty serious injury caused by 80' of loose running line being pulled out by a running fish that hit the fly really close in. It cut my index finger right to the bone. The stuff used to cut grooves in rod rings, so it's not really surprising that it also does it to flesh.

I use mostly the thicker Cortland line these days, as it handles well, occasionally amnesia. They both cast far enough.

N.