SF FL0802-9 Fly Line Review
Our verdict
The SF FL0802-9 is a WF9F/S5 fly line at $24.99, holding a 4.6 star rating across 280 reviews, a heavier size 9 taper priced at roughly a third of the $69.95 Cortland line while nearly matching its rating and beating the RIO 6-20751 outright.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers rigging a size 9 rod for bigger freshwater or light saltwater targets who want a sink-tip style taper at a fraction of the cost of the other, lighter-weight fly lines in this comparison.
Skip if
You are outfitting a lighter 4 or 5 weight rod, since this is a size 9 taper built for larger rods and heavier fly presentations, not the smaller setups the other lines here are sized for.
- Material Braided with PVC Coating
- Line Weight 9
- Technique Fly
- Size WF9F/S5-100FT-6IPS
- Color Fluorescent Yellow Red
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Priced 25% above the category median ($19.99 across 18 tracked models)
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 280 owner ratings
-
Popularity2.8/5
280 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The SF FL0802-9 is a fly line built in a WF9F/S5 taper, using a braided core with a PVC coating, finished in a fluorescent yellow and red colorway sized as WF9F/S5-100FT-6IPS. At $24.99, it costs a fraction of the $49.99 to $69.95 charged for the other fly lines in this comparison, all of which are built for lighter 4 or 5 weight rods.
The size 9 rating puts this line in a different class from the rest of this set, aimed at larger fish or heavier fly presentations rather than the trout-focused 4 and 5 weight lines listed alongside it. The 6IPS designation in the sizing suggests a tip section built to sink at roughly 6 inches per second, giving it more versatility for getting flies down without a full sinking line.
With 280 reviews at 4.6 stars, this line lands just behind the 4.7 star ratings of the top two lines in this comparison but ahead of the 4.4 stars on the RIO 6-20751. The review count of 280 also sits comfortably in the middle of the pack, ahead of the 230 and 216 reviews on two of the pricier alternatives. No bought-last-month figure is listed for this product.
Pros
- Priced at $24.99, a fraction of the $49.99 to $69.95 charged for the other fly lines in this comparison
- 4.6 star rating across 280 reviews beats the 4.4 stars on the RIO 6-20751
- 280 reviews outpaces the 230 and 216 review counts on two of the pricier alternatives
- Size 9 taper serves larger rods and heavier presentations the other lines in this set are not built for
- Braided core with PVC coating is a straightforward, budget-friendly construction
Cons
- 4.6 stars trails the 4.7 star ratings of the top two fly lines in this comparison
- Size 9 taper is not interchangeable with the 4 or 5 weight setups the other lines here are built for
- No bought-last-month figure is available to confirm current demand
- Fluorescent yellow and red coloring is more visible but less subtle than the natural or green tones on other lines
Specifications
| Material | Braided with PVC Coating |
|---|---|
| Line Weight | 9 |
| Technique | Fly |
| Size | WF9F/S5-100FT-6IPS |
| Color | Fluorescent Yellow Red |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
Performance notes
A WF9F/S5 designation describes a weight-forward, size 9 line with a sinking tip section, built for heavier rods than the 4 or 5 weight lines elsewhere in this comparison. The 6IPS marking in the size listing points to a tip sink rate of roughly 6 inches per second, which lets the fly get down into the water column at the front of the line while the rest of the taper stays on or near the surface. The braided core with a PVC coating is a common, cost-effective build for this style of line. At size 9, this taper is suited to bigger freshwater species or light saltwater work rather than delicate trout presentations, and the bright fluorescent yellow and red coloring makes the floating portion easy to track during a retrieve.
What buyers say
A 4.6 star average across 280 reviews places this line ahead of the RIO 6-20751's 4.4 stars while trailing the 4.7 stars posted by the Cortland and RIO ConnectCore lines in this comparison. The 280 review count is a solid middle-of-the-pack figure, larger than the 230 and 216 reviews on two of the pricier alternatives, which suggests a healthy base of buyer feedback relative to its price point. Without a bought-last-month figure, current sales momentum cannot be confirmed, but the review volume on its own points to consistent, ongoing purchases over time.
More from SF
Similar fishing gear and tackle to consider
Featured in
Frequently asked questions
What does the WF9F/S5 sizing mean?
WF9F/S5 indicates a weight-forward, size 9 line with a sinking tip section, distinct from the floating 4 and 5 weight lines elsewhere in this comparison. The size 9 rating means it is built for heavier rods and larger fly presentations.
Can this line be used on a lighter fly rod?
This is a size 9 taper, so it is matched to a size 9 fly rod rather than the 4 or 5 weight rods the other lines in this comparison are built for. Using it on a much lighter rod would not load the rod correctly for casting.
How does the rating compare to pricier fly lines?
At 4.6 stars across 280 reviews, this line trails the 4.7 star ratings of the Cortland and RIO ConnectCore lines by a narrow margin while costing $24.99 versus their $69.95 and $99.99 price points, making it a strong value option in its size class.