Hooked4life DTX 13 ft Classic

The DTX 13' Classic 8 wt. is a short rod with a very broad fishing range, both in terms of distance and the lines it will handle. The light feel is great for low fatigue fishing, but it can fool people into thinking a line isn't right for the rod. As has been mentioned elsewhere here, look at what the line is doing. If it's flying out there with minimum effort, then it's right for the rod. The light feel is a bonus, but if you want to load up the rod to increase the feel, well the rod can handle that too.

The following tables list all of the lines that will work well on the rod, with any caveats or adjustments noted. Some of the lines are outside of its weight range yet still work well. See the Fishing Notes for how I like to work with this rod.

Important: I have only recommended lines that I have actually cast and fished. If your line isn't here, yet it resembles one that is, chances are your line will work just fine. I will add more lines as I accumulate them.

Recommended
Original DTX 51' - 8/9 wt.	As we would expect, this line fits the 8 wt. to a 'T'. This was one of my early success stories with DTX rods as I found that it would turn 10' T8 tips like a Skagit head. Barely could tell that the tips were there. Excellent distance with ease of casting, whether Spey or overhead. Nice light feel that doesn't tire an angler out, especially one with old shoulders. Best cast with the colour change at the top hand, though advanced casters might run the colour change higher.	On the heavy side, but would fish OK. Don't try to cast this line with the black sleeve up in the guides. If the line feels awkward or heavy, pull some line in. Cast with a slow, open stroke.
DTX G2 51' - 8/9 wt.	An excellent fit for the rod that produces a deep load and very good distance. A very fishable power combination for tight confines, windy conditions, and large flies. Turns polyleaders with ease. Will be appreciated by those who enjoy casting a line that will bend the rod to the cork.

Recommended
DTX G2 Floating - 32g - 11m	This shooting head is a very nice, light fit. Fishes best with a polyleader, though it isn't necessary for good loops. The line will work fine without one. A good all-round fishing combo.
DTX G2 Floating - 38g - 12m	A heavier option that is a it beyond the comfort range of the rod, yet it flies out there without a heavy tiring feel. This would certainly be my big fly, windy day, distance choice.

Recommended
Quickspey 8/9 wt.	This line is very similar to the DTX 8/9 51' line, though in this case, the line has factory loops for 15' tips so I don't fish it with any other tip system. Just like the DTX, it has a nice, light load with power.
Delta Spey 7/8	A light finesse choice that's best cast with overhang and a compact casting stroke. I'd use this combination where a finesse cast to reasonable distance would be needed. Very light load so those who like to feel the rod bent to the cork probably wouldn't care for this.
Delta Spey 8/9	The all-round choice for this rod as it'll handle most jobs well. It's still a light casting combo, but the angler can use an style of power stroke as the rod is well loaded.
Delta Spey 9/10	Very little difference between this line and the 8/9 on this rod. Both work equally well. I'd recommend this line to those who like a little more feel. This rod/line combo still remains a low fatigue unit. I would use either line interchangeably, with the wind probably being the determining factor.
Delta Spey 10/11	Ended up having to put this line on the list as it simply works. This is a good choice for someone who wants a bit heavier load feel, without any deleterious effects. Though the feel is a little bit heavier than the other lines and the work load goes up marginally, there are none of the usual warning signs that the rod is overloaded. While this line isn't nearly as heavy as some 10/11s out there (690 grains over 57'), it's still hefty for an 8 wt. rod. The DTX doesn't even break a sweat.

Recommended
Power Taper 9/10 at 30g	At this weight, the shooting heads are definitely at the light end of the rod's range. Best used as a finesse rig for smaller creeks and rivers, or for those anglers who like their shooting heads on the light side.
Power Taper 10/11 at 34g	At this weight, the heads dig into the meat of the blank and produce excellent distance. The rod still feels light, quick and responsive at this weight, so there's room to go heavier. This is my primary weight for this rod and I only use other weights of heads in special circumstances. The rod could handle Power Tapers up to 38g if one wished.

Recommended
Hardy Mach 55 8 wt.	Like the Delta 7/8, this line is best cast with overhang and a crisp Underhand power stroke. A nice finesse choice, but probably not the best for people like to feel a heavier load on the rod. It has a very light feel, yet the rod will send it quite a ways without needing to be pushed.
Hardy Mach 55 9 wt.	Nice all-round choice, light yet well loaded with more latitude than the 7/8. This line can be cast well with belly in the guides, regardless of casting stroke.
Hardy Mach 55 10 wt.	People who prefer a bit heavier load will probable like this line the best. While it's well within the range of the rod, it does provide more feedback to the caster than the 8 or 9 wt. I'd prefer to fish the 9 wt., but many would like this one.

Lines for the DTX Classic 13' 8 wt. rod

Find the line for you

Recommended
Ian Gordon 8/9 Short Head 65' floater	When cast with the colour change at the top hand this line produces a light but definite load with a light feel. The line has a long, thin front taper and a fairly long back taper. The easiest casting is with the colour change at the top hand, however, it will produce more load and distance with the colour change farther up the guides.
Ian Gordon 8/9 Short Head 65' intermediate	Same comments as the floater, with the added proviso that the rod could cast the line a decent distance if the back of the belly was hauled into the guides to facility a "no roll cast" lift.