I'm looking to outfit my newly acquired Garcia 2536T with a WF7 line,
to fish weedy, warm water ponds with poppers (mostly) for Largemouth Bass and various panfish.

What lines make the short list for this usage?
This type of fishing is all new to me ...

I've heard:
SA 'Headstart' WF6F (this line must run heavy? Feels like a 7?)
and
Rio 'Bass'

mentioned by multiple forum members, in passing,
in various posts before.

Any others?
The line's gotta be High-floating with a WF, if not a specialized 'Bass' taper ...

You've got quite a few choices, depending on the price point you can tolerate. My hands-down favorite bass line is the Pat Ehlers Bass Line by Teeny Line Company. I have one in a WF7 and its about as good an all-around bass line as I've used. Bright red on color, the line features a glow-in-the-dark tip. Very handy at night, Really, very handy, especially when you fish before dawn or after dusk. The taper is just about perfect - very radical wf with a longish rear taper that allows good casting distance and control. This line is great to about 70' or so - you can false cast 45 feet of line plus leader easily. Not a bad roll-caster in close to about 30' with the right rod. I use mine on a Garcia and on my Browning 322980. Of course a quick look at the Teeny Professional Series web page suggests maybe this line is no more ... there's still a Pat Elhers bass design but the glow tip seems to be gone. Still, worth looking for for sure!

If you want a much less expensive line I heartily suggest either an Orvis Clearwater WF in 7 or and SA Headstart in 7. Both are very aggressive wf designed that are built to let a new caster "feel" the rod load. They are BB taper with a shorter rear taper and shorter running line at 70'. That's okay because these lines are really designed for fishing inside of 50' Roll casts of more than 25 of line (plus an additional 9' of leader) are challenging as the back taper is abrupt and you cant roll from the running line into the head. That said, these are a very sweet everyday line for under $40. I've got them in sizes from wf4 through wf9 and I've got three and four of some sizes as back-up. I must like them! Note - Orvise closed out the lines at $12 a while back. While that deal is gone, there are probably more than a few for $20 or so on Sierra Trading Post.

You can do a lot worse than a standard WF7 from Cabela's. The Prestige is a very solid performer, though not as radical in taper. Good cross over for smallmouth/heavy trout/light largemouth.

Finally, I actually have an Air Cell II WF white fly line in a measured 7wt on my Garcia 6 1/2' rod. For a decade-old department store line, I'm truly impressed. Under $20 at Meiers, Walmart or similar stores.

Joe C.

That rod should be able to handle anything from a heavy 6 weight to an 8 weight. Maybe even heavier. Start with a line you already have and take it fishing. If you need more beef, get a heavier line. If the line is too heavy, find a lighter one.

The Rio Bass and Rio Clouser lines have a short front taper designed for heavier flies and lures. The Bass line I have measures right on the AFFTA standard. The published specs for the Clousers indicate they are 3/4 of a weight heavy. I think SA and Cortland have specialty bass tapers also.

I agree with Joe about glow in the dark lines. Along with the Pat Ehlers line, I would watch eBay for a 7 or 8 weight Rio LumaLux. The entire line coating glows in the dark. I find it a very useful line between early dusk and pitch dark. Being able to see the line in the air, however dimly, is a great advantage while you are casting. There is also an intermediate glow in the dark fly line left on the Jim Teeny Discontiued/Closeout page of his web site.

Lately I've been fishing size 8 Chernobyl Ants around dusk. I've been tying a small piece of glow in the dark Fun Foam on top of the fly. I can't see the fly glowing on the water - I strike when I hear a splash in the proper direction. But I can easily see the fly gently glowing in the fish's mouth. That way I can remove the fly without turning on a light and ruining my night vision.

Tom

I've got the Classic Intermediate in an 8wt - fabulous line. Excellent for fishing divers and crease flies just under the surface or swinging streamers. I use Rio sinking leaders (7.5' 12lb test) in 2.9 to 8.0 ips sink rate to make a really versatile rig out of one line. A superb tool to have in your kit.

Joe C.

Hi All;

I used an Orvis clearwater wf9 on my Garcia 2406 and it works great. This line is definetly more agresive than a standard wf floating line. Although it's not glow in the dark, the chartreuse color shows up well in the dark. Fly shop closeouts has this line in wf4,wf6,and wf9 for $15.95each. I also purchased a wf6 but have yet to try it.

Joe: I have the Dave Whitlock Teeny bass line in wf8. I have yet to use it on the water but lawn casts well. How do the Whitlock and Ehlers Teeny lines compare?

Waynebh

I don't have any experience with the Whitlock line, so I can't comment on that one. I'm definitely curious, though! I have a Clouser line - it's very fat. It's an 8wt, but it's about the diameter of a 10wt. Very fat and not great in the wind. Not a bad line, all told, but I don't think I'd spend $65 on it again.

Joe C.