Scientific Anglers Sharkskin Fly Fishing Line

[roberts618]

I see that SA has come out with a better mousetrap that is selling for $100.  Has anyone seen, tried or talked to anyone who has used this product.  Sounds almost too good to be true and you know what this means!

[Steve H]

Reports from other boards have been favorable so far. I haven't touched it, yet alone, cast it, so I really can't report anything other than what I have read.

If it works, great but at $100, that seems steep for line.

[jarrod white]

I think a 100.00 for line is pretty steep myself but isnt that true about everything in our sport? One nice wading jacket 500.00 , good waders 500.00, some brands of reels 500.00  I understand having a few nice things available but these items are becoming the norm. fly shops everywhere are full of them.Also a lot of these things come from over seas , im sure!!!!

[RSiegmann]

Got this line in a 4wt for Christmas ... I haven't had a chance to wet it on the river, but it does cast a pretty line over the backyard ... I am hoping to fish it this weekend ... I can follow up with a firsthand report afterwards ...

[Gofisher]

Main complaint I've heard about this line is the sound. I haven't cast one, but they say it sounds like it is sawing through your guides. $100 is a little high, but it is supposed to last up to 3 times longer than a standard line. It is supoosed to shoot extremelt well. RS, I'll be waiting for a report from you. 

[MikeA]

I cast it and liked some things about it.  It casts great and no memory in cold weather was a big plus. The noise really don't bother me but IMO where there is that much noise there mighta be wear on the guides. Zach used it the weekend we fished the Cumby and the line cut his finger till it bled. Sharkskin migh just be the perfect name for it.

I'd like to use it for a few months.

[RSiegmann]

There's a definite "texture" to the line itself ... and I also have my own concernes about wear and tear on the guides ... though to be honest, if that happens, I might be able to use it as an excuse to pick up another rod 

[MikeA]

I like the way you think.

[bd]

I cast the line briefly at a flyshop.  It cast pretty well, but I would have liked more time to do a side-by-side comparison with some other lines to truly form an opinion.  The line was textured, but not so abrasive that I'd expect it to damage a rod's guides.  On the other hand, I wouldn't expect it to cut a finger, either.  Must've been a case of soft city-boy hands.   

I've heard two complaints about the line:  (1) Some say it slings some water - maybe not as much as a furled leader, but enough to notice.  I didn't cast the line on water so I don't know.  (2)  The most common complaint is the noise.  There was definitely a noise, though not as bad as I expected after hearing people describe it.  It sounded kind of like a fat chick walking in nylon pants.   

bd

[Steve H]

If a fat chick walks in nylon pants in woods near the stream, do the fish hear it?

 

[dleo6446]

yes they do, specially if they are related to Grumpy!

as far as line wearing the guides.  Sure it will.  I have seen guides on rods as new as the BIIx and a SLT with worn guides, especially the tip top, and most of that comes from unclean lines with abrasions that can cause ruts in guides.  My only concern would be guide wear from a line that is designed with a surface that is uneven or irregular.  If you have a rod that you fish a lot and catch fish on a lot, you may even be able to see some wear in the tip top on that rod.

I don't  know about the noise that it creates, heck I don't hear it thunder sometimes so noise wouldn't be a concern for me, I clean my liines after most trips to the river and fish so many different rods that I doubt I would see wear on my guides. 

But the the questions arises, if normal lines are creating wear to guides anyway, than is the Sharkskin apt to create more just because of the way it is made?

[grumpy]

If a fat chick walks in nylon pants in woods near the stream, do the fish hear it?

 

fat bottomed girls make the rockin world go round $100, you should see the folks balking at a $60 line that will last them 3 times longer than it will last me
I'm not opposed to trying one should someone give me one in a 4 weight

Grumpy

Grumpy

[Glenn Hawkins]

I yard casted the 5wt recently.  The line moved well thru the guides like lightening and it casted great.  But,  I'm not sure that I could live with the noise generated from this line.  The price is a bit high to me.  If it last longer than standard lines I guess I could justify the cost.

[RSiegmann]

Ok ... here's my report from this mornings cast about ... The line noise isn't too horrible to me ... and it does  shoot and cast quite nicely ... I know the design of the line is supposed to make it sit higher in the water and therefore mend easily ... but I didn't notice too much of a difference between it and any other floating line ... is it worth 50% more than another line, I don't think I can honestly say that ... if it lasts 3 times as long ... well than maybe it might be worth the extra $$$ ... I wouldn't go running out to get a line for yourself ... but it was a nice gift from the wife ...

[Rockyraccoon]

I'm planning on trying some on my personal reels.

I'd like to see just how durable it is before I put $100 lines on my boat rods. IF it is a lot more durable then it might be worth it seeing how boat lines take a beating, get stepped on, caught on rocks, under boats etc.