Scientific Anglers SONAR Titan Tropical/Jungle Clear Tip Fly Line

I know I’ve been a stickler for “true-to-standard” weighted lines. I think over-weighted lines only confuse matters and build a false sense of confidence for weak casters.

But in certain saltwater situations, I take all that back.  

When you chase big fish in the ocean, the flies you use can look like half a chicken on a hook. That’s also often true in the jungle. So, when you start playing around with specialty lines and fast-action saltwater fly rods, all the “standards” basically go out the window. 

When you see a 50-pound roosterfish pop up in the Sea of Cortez, for example, you want to pick up the line, load it, shoot it and hope for the best. And more often than not, that shot must travel 50-60 feet or more. The coating on this line definitely enhances its shoot-ability.

The Scientific Anglers SONAR Titan Tropical/Jungle Clear Tip (intermediate sinking tip) fly line is made specifically for these situations. This line is billed as a whopping two sizes heavy right on the box. But when you cast large flies, when you want to pick up the line and load the rod with only a backcast, when you want to shoot most of the line to get your distance (typically without false casting at all), you need a line this heavy, with as much weight concentrated in the head as possible.

In the right hands, this becomes an “intuitive” casting line for large saltwater (or jungle) fish. In other words, you’re not thinking about the mechanics of the cast, you’re focused on the fish. It’s made for hot weather, so it isn’t that malleable by design. It’s also quite durable, assuming you rinse it in fresh water after every fishing day.

For roosterfish, the intermediate sinking tip, which sinks 1.25 inches per second in salt water, is key. The full floating version of this line would be good for dorado, skipjacks and other fish that will nail poppers and crease flies off the surface.

This is too much line, too heavy, too much splash, for inshore fishing, even casting at big bull redfish. And don’t try it in cold water. There are better lines for those situations. But for warm water, big flies, big fish and making long, quick shots, this is a trusty go-to fly line.

You can form tight, wind-busting loops without worrying about tailing loops, and shoot line (so long as you’re not standing on it) with ease. I wouldn’t chase roosterfish with anything that wasn’t over-weighted like this unique fly line.