Customer Reviews

Scientific Anglers Sharkskin Ultimate Trout Fly Line

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm an 80+ day per year fly fisherman, and I indulge my passion in both fresh and salt water. Recently I spent a week in Patagonia fishing for brown trout and used the Sharkskin in 4, 5 and 6 weight iterations with great success. Some first impressions:
1) The line loads easily for close in casting and shoots like a dream. On the first day, I found myself overcasting many trout.
2) Because of the lines' pebbled and dimpled constuction, roll casting and take away are enhanced.
3)This dimpling creates what was an initially annoying "zing" sound, much like that of a bow on a violin string. I got used to it, but my guide found it annoying. In addition, while not a factor with trout lines, this textured line could easily burn fingers while fighting a bolting bonefish or an angry tarpon.
4) SA claims this uber priced line will outlast conventional lines by a wide margin. Due to my limited experience, I cannot attest to that claim.

In summary, I contend this line is more than a novelty. It refines the Airflo design concept used in their "tactical ridge line series" - lines I have also fished. If you need the hot new thing and can get used to its singing properties, you'll probably want one, or more!

I purchsed SharkSkin 3wt and tried with my Orvis HLS 7'11" 3WT mid-flex rod in mountain creek in Japan where bush are close, water runs fast, and fish get spooked very easily.

Fly line shoots out fast without slowing down much, so I can easily turn over my 18 feet long leader (5x taper + 7&9x tip) to deliver small fly to spooky trout. Line sits on top of water surface helps making quiter presentation and light pickup helps greatly for mending and rollcast. I have tested it with dry, nymph, and wet. They all worked wonderfully.

For windy situation in river,lake, or coast; I'm going to purchase SharkSkin 5wt after I have my 5wt rod repaired. Looking forward for Salt Water series and shooting line!

Bought the Sharkskin line #6 recently primarily for lake fishing for trout. I was very impressed with the ease at which this line is cast, even into winds. I find it easier than my other lines to throw long accurate casts. (I primarily fish high-end #6 lines, weight forward or triangle taper for my lake fishing) I find my false casting has been reduced and I've had no bother targeting individually rising fish quite accurately with a single cast. It gives the feeling of having a nice weight behind it when you cast it but it's also delicate when it hits the water. There is minimal line memory from this line. It's as good as you'll get in this respect.

Having said all that, the primary drawbacks of the line are as follows (with the risk of being repetitive):
1) The noise it makes as you cast, but you get used to this.
2) The friction burns you may get from the line. This is because of its texture. I was using the line for some wet fly fishing where the flies had to be high in the water. I was stripping/retrieving the line and at the end of an hour and a half I had two friction burns on my index finger that were quite annoying/sore.

Finally, reviews I read about the line prior to purchasing it said it sits high in the water making it easier to lift off the water during casting etc. Sure this may be true but I can't say I found this line any easier than my other lines to lift from the water in preparation for my back cast. In fact I could see several sections of the line sitting below the water...including the tip at times, despite claims to the contrary from the manufacturer.

I think it'd be a stretch to say this line is revolutionary despite marketing hype you might read. However, if you buy this line, you can rest easy that you'll be purchasing a high quality line that's up there with the best. Think of it like that and I doubt you'll be disappointed...but watch out for those friction burns :)

The Sharkskin lines are a clear departure from previous lines on the market. there are two problems to consider with this product, so the bad news is:

1)The surface of the line is textured, resulting in a very fine sandy-feeling surface. This can be a problem, in that the roughened line surface can and will abrade the skin of the fingers during casting and stripping unless finger protection is provided by wearing gloves. In addition, fast-moving fish, such as bonefish can generate enough speed during their initial run that the friction will cause a very painful burn, and even visible injury, to the fingers that guide the clearing line. This is not a minor issue and requires serious adjustments in one's fishing style.

2) The textured surface of the line is noisy, producing a whistling high-pitched sound when casting and shooting line. This reviewer was not bothered by that.

The good news:

1) These lines are distinctively supple. This produces an almost snaky flexibility and the line flows through the guides unusually well.

2) The line stripped out for casting seems significantly less likely to tangle.

3) There is probably less surface tension on the line when floating, so that pick-up of long lines for subsequent casts is easier. On the other hand, this also reduces the effect of "water-loading" for quick additional casts.

4) Durability is excellent.

Bottom Line:
This is a product with contrasting qualities. It casts excellently well but is noisy. This might bother some, but it was not a problem for me. The suppleness of the line was a distinct plus; it facilitates casting and probably together with the surface texture, reduces tangling. The biggest issue is the line burn during stripping and line-clearing. If the angler could adjust to this, the line would be useless for much of saltwater fishing, although for trout fishing, the line-clearing issue is not significant.

Great casting line. Feels a bit heavier than its rating; ie it seem to load the rod more than a comprable line of the same weight. Makes a noise like taffeta rubbing together when moving through the guides. If you can get used to that it is a very good fly line, though quite expensive.