I tend to use a 9' tapered leader (12lb) with 2-3' of tippet.

Yes a tapered leader is probably your best bet though when I first started saltwater fly fishing which is how I got into fly fishing in general I used a pretty simple setup of 3ft of stiff 30lb mono two feet of 20lb stiff mono and a couple feet of 12-16lb tippet. Only the tippet was replaced as needed.

If you have any chance of running into snook be sure and err on the heavier side for the last tippet section and preferably using florocarbon since it is more abrasion resistant.

If you know that knot then use it. I use loop to loop on most of my personal stuff. You will find a lot of the tapered leaders come with the loop already. Same with many fly lines.

I would be interested in knowing what line you fish on the 807? I've never found a line that i felt fit this rod. I've got one in pristine condition but rarely use it because of the line issue. -p-

Always nice when the rod arrives and meets your expectations. I think you will be happy with your choice of reel.

For line I like to use a full intermediate for saltwater but to learn how to fly cast you will probably want to start with a floating line.

I offered this info on another post recently but will mention it again- the Sci Angler Mastery Headstart lines are a begginer line but happen to be a good quality line.

Most of the Mastery series are $70 but you can get the Headstart from LLBean for $40 with free shipping. The bean stock number is TA249576. I have four or five of these lines and use them for all my freshwater fishing for largemouths and other warmwater fish.

This line has a pretty agressive WF taper and will deal with the wind along the coast. A similar taper would be the Clouser taper.

You might also want to consider Cabelas Prestiege Plus Saltwater Flyline. The color is not as bright (sand) as the Chartruese Headstart line. I have never used one but the price is reasonable at $40 too (Item: IK-318418 ). Go with the 7wt.

That FF 837 was also sold as an FL-7 as a Woodstream-Fenwick rod. Great blank with average cosmetics. It is the one I have instead of an FF-807. You got a great buy though!

Pave, After buying one FF837 recently I decided to buy a second, an FL-7 model. The FF837 measures out at exactly 8'3", while the FL-7 is a shade over an inch longer. The 837 is in great shape, but the FL-7 was rough and needed a little work. I decided to send it to Rich Margiotta to re-do it. I'll post photos when I get it back.
And I would agree, average cosmetics. They're the "bell bottoms and leisure suit" fly rods, but what a great casting rod!

1498 is too big and heavy. 1495 or 14951/2 would work fine, that is what I use on my 807. A 1495 will hold an 8wt and a lot of backing.
Keith

A Pflueger Medalist 1495 1/2 would be a good size for your rod,but I wouldn't know how it would handle salt.