I recently purchase two blanks for personal use from NFC. These blanks will primarily be used for saltwater flats fishing
The first is the F-890-4 (GammaBeta). This 8wt will be targeting bonefish, snook, redfish and whatever others I can cast to.
The second is the F-1290-4 (GammaBeta). This 12wt wiill be used to target tarpon, jacks and ????
I was hoping this group could help me shortcut searching lines that best perform with these two blanks. At this point, I'm just considering WF floating lines. Thanks in advance for any input!

Chris

If fishing tropics use lines designed for that water temp, and while I don't have data on those blanks, I'll bet they are on the high side of their stated weights. Every fly blank I've ever tested has been on the high side, so I would start with up one line weight from the "weights" of the rods. If you think you'll be making long casts, maybe not up one. But if you have any lines in the neighborhood of these blanks ratings, try them. See what weight will work best. Or your fly shop may have lines to try.

Chris,
I had occasion to fish that 8wt last week.
owner had lined it with a #9 RIO OutBound Float, Hover, Intermediate. Was definiately overlined. Blank loaded way too far into the blank.
I would look at the Scientific Angler (SA) Bonefish #8 - maybe the #9. Go to a good fly shop - they usually have samples to test cast.
IMO - the NFC blanks are soft.

Not sure how stiff/soft that rod is.
So - either the SA Tarpon #11 or 12 - or the Wulff Bermuda Triangle #11 or 12. SHORT HEAD.
Herb

I built the F890-4 for the same reason. The CCS numbers I got for the rod are: AA=63 degrees, IP=211.4 gms, IP=3262 grains, and ERN=10.2. This converts to a line head weight of 268 grains. The CCS tutorials will lead you down the path to the ERN and line head weights. Most good lines will give you a head weight and these numbers should get you into the general area. Yes, I agree with Michael, it is over weight. And yes, as Chris stated, 63 degrees is not fast. I also built a Rod Geeks 8 weight and found that to be a good rod for this application. The Rod Geeks blank CCS numbers are: AA = 75°, IP = 178 grams, IP = 2747 grains, ERN = 9.0, Rec'd Line = 225 grains. Much faster and closer to an 8 weight.

If one wants faster actions than the NFC's apparently have then I would look to the Rainshadow RX10's. I don't have CCS numbers for them, but they likely are a lot like the old Eternity 2's which were in the 70+ AA range. I'm sure by now Rainshadow can provide CCS numbers. I have built 5 Eternity 2's for family, all 8's and above, and they are great salt water fly rods.

Ed, thank you . I assume you ran the CCS numbers yourself, or did you obtain from another source?

FYI, if interested all the new Rainshadow blanks (including Fly) have published CCS data directly from manufacturer for comparison. [batsonenterprises.com]

The 8wt is pretty fast to me, but the tip can get overwhelmed. I tried anadro on it and it felt soft. Ended up with HiViz flip 8wt, a +1 line short head. I didn’t have a 9wt grandslam or infinity to test with.

Can’t help you on the 12. Have an 11 waiting on me to order parts

NFC said they were not fast boomers, they make the saltwater series sticks for that. The specs look very much like the early IMX blank specs.

I have a GB 890-4 and have airflo gulf redfish #8 on it and it feels great to me. Hopefully I'll be testing it on some live creatures later this week in LA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/14/2023 10:54AM by Al Jones.

Chris, Yes, they are my measurements. I have another blank that I have not yet built. It's numbers are 61 degrees and 202 grams. Slightly lighter but not by much. Both of these entries are in the CCS database.

To me it really depends on the guides and placement. I have the same 8wt blank with two different guide configurations. The more conventional set up with doublefoot snake guides cast better with the Cortland Liquid Crystal F WF Flats Taper and the unconventional single foot guided one works better with the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam F WF, I have found that the Cortland line will work on a wide range of guide configurations better than most other lines, I am guessing it is the taper and the weight of the line / head.