Curious. Best integrated spey line?

S

Stimson

Steelhead
Forum Supporter
Wattaya got? Best casting,longest casting,least coiling. Skagit or scandi. Pros/cons in any direction appreciated.
 
The only integrated head I have is a 200 gr Commando Smooth that I use for single hand on a 5 wt. I really like it. Easy to cast and doesn't coil too bad. The running line is easy to handle. I have never used the SA integrated heads, but would like to check them out. With non-integrated heads, I found the 240 gr SA Skagit easier to cast on my 7 wt (single hand) than the 250 gr Commando.
 
I have an older Beulah Elixir 6/7 integrated line that I love on my Rainshadow 6wt switch rod. I’ve tried to get more but they no longer offer the Elixir (or Tonic) in an integrated line, only as heads.

The Elixir is a scandi line, Tonic is a skagit.

I wish there were more integrated lines out there, but the looped head system seems to be the rule out there these days.
 
I love the Gaelforce Equalizer Switch and Short Spey line for rods under 12 feet. For rods 12 to 13 feet the Gaelforce Equalizer Integrated Shooting Head would be my choice for a true integrated Scandi. Rods in the 13 to 14 foot range, I fish a Gaelforce Equalizer 54 foot Spey line. For rods 15 feet and over I fish the Gaelforce Equalizer 63 or 73 foot lines.
I do like the SA Scandi Lite Integrated and fish one on my 3113 Burkheimer.
I only use integrated Skagits for trout, and I find it hard to beat the OPST Commando Smooth.
 
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SculpinSwinger said:
Gaelforce - switch/short spey 33’ head, running line shoots well, thin and not prone to coiling . I have the 277 grain and only use mono leader. It casts and presents nicely with pretty strong turn over.

Red Shed has them in stock, and my orders have always arrived quickly.
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Out of curiosity what rod are you using the 277 gr version on?
 
SculpinSwinger said:
Bruce and Walker Trout Speycaster
13’ #3
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That’s quite a unique outfit you have there. I’ll bet it’s a blast.

To the OP the SA scandi lites are very smooth as well for SH or DH. I have several shooting heads and one integrated that I think was sent by an online retailer sent by accident because I had ordered just the head version. Regardless I was not disappointed.
 
Stimson, my apologies. I just reacted poorly. You might consider speaking with Steve Godshall, he’s a line guru. Don’t know if he makes integrated lines but he probably has some good suggestions.
 
Apologies accepted Robert. I appreciate your integrity. I am by no means an expert at spey casting. Not even close. Yeah I can chuck line now that I've figured out a few things, but I've mainly experimented with skagit/rage heads and mono running line. Scary how far one can cast with the correct set up.
Just today I recieved SA spey lite skagit and scandi integrated lines in 330gr. Thought I'd start there. I strung up the scandi line and tipped it with 5' of leader and a piece of glo bug yarn on said 11' bamboo rod. On my lawn it was a wrist flick to toss half the line.
 
I like the Rio Mid Head Spey lines. The head lengths comes in at 52/55' for 7 and 8 weight rods. They cast great on my 7130 and 8130; great taper that covers small delicate presentations and has enough grunt to send a fly tied on a heavy wire platform. I love the running line on them, shoots well, floats high, mends like real fly line and doesn't tangle. I need to check if Rio sells just that running line sometime... like it way better than the Airflo ridge I've been running on shooting heads.
 
SculpinSwinger said:
Bruce and Walker Trout Speycaster
13’ #3
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I have that rod, it may be my favorite two-hander to cast and fish.

To the OP, the Gaelforce are nice, although it was common to chop the running line and some of the back taper off of some of the older ones. But I have only used those for 7 and 8wts. I have had great luck with the SA heads mentioned above.
 
Dogsnfish said:
I have that rod, it may be my favorite two-hander to cast and fish.

To the OP, the Gaelforce are nice, although it was common to chop the running line and some of the back taper off of some of the older ones. But I have only used those for 7 and 8wts. I have had great luck with the SA heads mentioned above.
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The ONLY reason to chop the running line and back taper is to add a mono running line, otherwise don't fuck with it. They cast great as an integrated as is.
 
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