Scientific Anglers Magnitude Textured Infinity Salt Full Clear Fly Line
Kirk Deeter
November 13, 2024
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We’ve established that you can get plenty of performance from a fly line that costs around $100. You can spend even less, but for saltwater fishing, if you’re going on that special trip, you don’t want to play around. Let’s assume $100 is the standard for a really good, reliable saltwater line.
This full clear floater costs $179.95.
So, the question you have to ask yourself is, what about the product is worth the extra 80 bucks? In other words, is the line worth almost twice what you’d pay for a perfectly functional saltwater line from another brand?
The answer is yes, and no, depending on what kind of an angler you are, and where you’re headed fishing.
The cost-to-value upgrade boils down to three basic factors: 1) How does the line cast? Do I like the taper and coating; is it slick and does it shoot? 2) Does it last? Is it durable and does it repel grit, gunk and resist cracking? 3) Is there a stealth advantage with a clear tip or full clear line? Do I think it makes a difference to the fish?
Scientific Anglers has definitely put all of its technology eggs in one basket with this line. It’s the flagship that showcases all the bells and whistles you can put into a fly line. I fished this 8-weight line extensively in Mexico, and also in the Carolina Low Country, and here’s how I feel about the three factors.
Casting performance: Hands down the slickest, best shooting line I’ve cast. I’m not normally a fan of the textured line (don’t like the sound), but in this case, I appreciated the feedback. It’s a half-size heavy, which it should be, to work best with the rods I fished (Orvis Helios, Scott Sector, T&T Sextant). The taper lends itself to making long, accurate casts with reasonably sized flies (not a full chicken). If you can haul, and if you can shoot line, you will feel and appreciate this fly line. If you’re still working on those things, it’s overkill.
Durability: I’ve not usually been a fan of textured lines because they gather gunk and grit (because I’m too lazy to clean them properly), but this line has proven to be durable and resistant to crud. It stays clean, and perhaps because it’s so expensive, I do take time to thoroughly rinse it after every day on the salt. So, I’ll vouch for the durability, but if you’re the type of angler who doesn’t bother to clean your line, or put a cover on your reel when you transport, you’re wasting your money, because the line doesn’t clean itself.
Approach: Stealth matters to some fish in some fishing situations, and not so much for others. I definitely appreciate the full clear, or at least think it cannot hurt, on crystal clear bonefish flats. On the muddier redfish flats of the Southeast, I don’t think it matters at all. So, you decide if you want to pay for that. I will say that this line lasts and casts a lot better than other clear lines I’ve tested over the years–there have been many, and all with faults. This one seems to have “arrived.”
The price isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a great product offering for the serious saltwater angler.
Pros
Easy to cast, forms tight loops and shoots–the best-casting clear line I’ve ever fished.
Works great on fast-action saltwater rods.
Clear tip offers stealth and allows the angler to focus on delivery and fishing.
Durability seems to live up to the billing.
Cons
If you like to see your line as you cast and present to fish, this one is clear.
Alphabet soup product name–you’ll have to write it down to remember.
Full clear is overkill in some saltwater situations.
Textured lines still gather grit if you don’t diligently clean/rinse.
$180 is a ton of money for a fly line. But I still say investing in a line will do more to help your cast than investing in a rod that costs considerably more, especially if you don’t know how to get the most of the rod.
Let’s be honest. If you’re a beginner or intermediate who’s still working on casting and presentation, this line is too much for you. On the other hand, if you are an expert, you’re comfortable double-hauling and shooting loads of line, if you relish the challenge of chasing picky, spooky fish–this line will augment your overall game and it’s worth the extra dough.
- Price: $179.95
- Size/Type: Weight-forward 8-weight, floating
- Taper design: Extended head length for accuracy at distance
- Total length: 100 feet
- Running line: 60 feet
- Head: 49 feet
- Line coating: DuraCoat leverages advanced dual-polymer design to optimize line stiffness, abrasion resistance, and slickness. Enhanced with EST+ slickness additive for unmatched durability, smoother shooting and eco-friendly performance
- Weight standards: Half-size heavy to turn over large flies on windy days
- Warranty information: Customer Support
From Scientific Anglers: 3 years in development, 16 Iterations of material packages, 8 different variations of slickness formulas and 2500 hours of field testing.
“If your Scientific Anglers fly line is damaged, it’s best to contact their customer service directly. They can assess the situation and determine if a replacement is warranted.”
Like so many other products in fly fishing, this line offers tangible advantages to the type of angler who is skilled enough to appreciate them, and is a bit overcooked for those who are not far enough along on the learning curve to take full advantage. That’s not saying others can’t grow into it, and you’re certainly not going to hurt your cause with all the features this line offers: textured coating, clear appearance, durability etc. (And SA will no doubt sell plenty of $180 lines to people who can’t really tell the difference between this one and another that costs about half as much.)
That said, I think this is the best-casting fully clear fly line I’ve fished with. It seems to be plenty durable with rudimentary rinsing and care. And I like the full clear line when fishing to spooky bonefish or permit. For redfish or albies, small roosters, etc., I don’t know that clear makes much difference, but it doesn’t hurt.
This does strike me as a warm water line, it isn’t overly malleable, which is good, but I think for stripers or other species in colder water you’d want to go with one of SA’s Amplitude lines.
Does your thousand-dollar saltwater fly rod “deserve” a $180 line? Deserve might be strong, but yeah, match this line with a beautifully crafted fast action line–and more importantly, a well-honed cast–and you’re playing at the top of the game.
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