Swim Fly Lines

It’s common that fly lines are designed to match fly rods—either a specific fly rod or a fly rod type. If super-stiff fly rods rise in popularity, for instance, then you make 2X-heavy fly lines to help load those rods. It’s not often that it happens the other way around, but according to Mike Schultz, that’s exactly what happened with G.Loomis NRX+ SF rods. Schultzy already had a favorite set of lines that could handle almost any freshwater situation where you want to swim big, articulated swimming flies, and trigger strikes from smallmouth bass: “The SA Sonar Titan series of fly lines from intermediate to sinking delivers swim flies with ease in a variety of situations and conditions,” said Schultz. “The 33.5-foot head designs have been the foundation of our Upper Midwest smallmouth programs for years.”

There are 22 freshwater lines in the Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan lineup, but Schultz has four favorites for smallmouth bass and the NRX+ SF rod. 

From late September to early May, the Sonar Titan Full Intermediate allows him to stay connected to the fly, when “feel” is most important. He switches to the Sonar Titan Tropical Clear Tip in low water in the summer because it’s built for the heat. “The full intermediate is not necessary, as we are not tracking the fly great distances,” says Schultz. “Instead, we’re  picking apart small, high-percentage areas. He switches to Sonar Titan Triple Density Int/ Sink 2 / Sink 3 or the Sonar Titan Triple Density Hover Sink 2 / Sink 4 in holes over 6 feet deep, or just to keep flies like Blane’s Crafty Changer or Schultz’s Fluttercraft Changer down in the strike zone while using a two-handed retrieve.

Use the 240-grain line with the 7-weight NRX+ SF, and 280-grain lines with the 8-weight.